Michelle Monaghan is an American actress and model best known for her notable roles in the television series Young Americans and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and for her portrayal of Julia in the 2006 action film Mission: Impossible III.
Michelle Monaghan was born March 23, 1976 in Winthrop, Iowa to Sharon and Bob Monaghan. She attended East Buchanan High School and graduated in 1994. She then studied journalism at Columbia College Chicago, while doing some modeling in the United States, Milan, Singapore, Tokyo and Hongkong.
Michelle Monaghan first made a name for herself when she did a small yet outstanding performance in WB’s drama series Young Americans, appearing twice in the series as Caroline Busse. She did another impressive performance when she appeared as Dana Kimble in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She did both these roles in 2001. That same year, she made her film debut when she played Henrietta in Perfume. This was then followed by a minor role as Lindsay in the drama film Unfaithful, which starred Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
Monaghan finally had her big break when she was chosen cast in FOX’s television series Boston Public as Kimberly Woods. She then followed this with her roles in the films It Runs in the Family in 2003, Winter Solstice in 2004 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005, in which she did a nude scene with Robert Downey Jr. She also appeared in Constantine and Syriana but her scenes were deleted from the film.
In 2006, Monaghan further made a name in the big screen when she co-starred with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III. In the movie, Monaghan played Ethan Hawke’s fiancée Julia.
In 2007, Monaghan teamed up with Ben Stiller in the remake of romantic comedy film The Heartbreak Kid. This was then followed by her portrayal of Angie Gennaro in the crime mystery film Gone Baby Gone.
Monaghan is also known for her role as Hannah in the 2008 romantic comedy film Made of Honor, in which she co-starred with Patrick Dempsey.