Camryn Manheim is an American actress born Debra Frances Manheim on March 8, 1961. She is widely recognized for her captivating performances in various television shows and films, including her iconic roles as attorney Ellenor Frutt on ABC's The Practice, Delia Banks on CBS's Ghost Whisperer, and Gladys Presley in the 2005 miniseries Elvis.
Manheim's impressive career has earned her numerous accolades, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1999 for her work on The Practice. She has also received the Women in Film Lucy Award and earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role in the miniseries Elvis.
Before becoming a renowned actress, Manheim worked as a sign language interpreter at hospitals, utilizing her knowledge of sign language in various projects, including her role as a child behavioral psychologist in the movie Mercury Rising. Her experience as an interpreter also influenced her portrayal of attorney Ellenor Frutt on The Practice.
In 2015, Manheim starred in the Deaf West production of the musical Spring Awakening, where she voiced for deaf actress Marlee Matlin and signed her own dialogue in the roles of Frau Bergmann, Fräulein Großebüstenhalter, and Fräulein Knuppeldick. The production featured a unique cast composition, with half of the actors being hearing and the other half being deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Throughout her career, Manheim has appeared in a wide range of television shows, including Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal, Family Guy, Will & Grace, Boston Public, Two and a Half Men, The L Word, How I Met Your Mother, and Hannah Montana. Since 2022, she has been part of the main cast of the revival of Law & Order.
In addition to her television work, Manheim has appeared in several films, including Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, The Laramie Project, Scary Movie 3, Dark Water, and An Unfinished Life.
Manheim has been an active member of the SAG-AFTRA union, serving as secretary-treasurer from 2019 to 2021. She did not run for reelection in 2021 and was succeeded by Joely Fisher.
