Actress Jolene Purdy was born in Redondo Beach, California. In 2001, she made her big break into the entertainment industry by starring in the hit cult film Donnie Darko. Purdy played the character Cherita Chen, a misfit Asian girl targeted with insults because she is overweight. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the title character, Jena Malone, Daveigh Chase, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne and Patrick Swayze. Purdy also appeared on the Donnie Darko: Production Diary do!$#!#entary with her cast-mates.
Jolene Purdy was next seen in an episode of Boston Public. Her career during the early 2000s began to soar, as she played Cindy Lavin in the episode “Chapter Twenty-Three.” In 2002, she was cast alongside Amy Brenneman, Tyne Daly, Richard T. Jones and Jessica Tuck in the series Judging Amy. The drama was created by Brenneman, Bill D’Elia and Connie Tavel. Purdy appeared in the series during an episode titled “Tidal Wave.”
The actress took a break in her career, until she was given the role of hotel receptionist Molly Poleski in the 2008 FOX series, Do Not Disturb. The comedy debuted in fall of that year, and was created by Abraham Higginbotham. He has previously worked on other series for FOX, like Back to You and the hit Arrested Development. Do Not Disturb is a multi-camera sitcom revolving around what goes on inside a once-popular New York City hotel and will be told through the eyes of the hotel’s employees. It was developed by Paul Young and Peter Principato. Do Not Disturb also stars Brando Eaton, Jerry O’Connell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Molly Stanton, Niecy Nash and Robert Wagner. Its first season will feature Purdy and the rest of the cast in 13 episodes, as its pilot was directed by actor Jason Bateman, known for his work in The Kingdom, Han!$#!# and the acclaimed film Juno.