Life and career

She was born in Walnut Creek, California, into an observant Jewish and fourth-generation deaf family, the daughter of Ron Stern and Hedy Marilyn Stern (née Udkovich), and the sister of writer and artist Louise Stern. One of her grandmothers is a Holocaust survivor. Her hometown is Fremont, California, where she attended the California School for the Deaf, Fremont.

Stern's first language is American Sign Language. She is also able to read lips and speak English without an interpreter. She attended Gallaudet University, the only liberal arts college for the deaf in the world.

She married her husband, Ricky Mitchell, on June 3, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She currently resides with him in Hollywood, California.

Stern got her first regular series role as Holly Brodeen, a member of an elite government anti-terrorist task force in ABC's Threat Matrix. The role was created for her by the show's producers after a director who had worked with her on The Division recommended her. She had a recurring role in Showtime's Weeds (as Megan Beals-Botwin) and was also on ER, Providence and Cold Case. She played Bonnie Richmond in the CBS post-apocalyptic drama Jericho. She had a recurring role in Season 3 of Fox's Lie to Me.

Stern appeared with Matthew Broderick in the film The Last Shot and starred in the film Adventures of Power. She also appeared in the popular music video "Yes We Can", written by will.i.am for the Barack Obama campaign.

Theatre

Deaf West Theatre

• Open Window .... Susan (directed by Eric Simonson)
• Children of a Lesser God .... Sarah (directed by Joe Giamalva)
• Romeo and Juliet .... Juliet (directed by Julianna Fjeld)
• Aladdin .... Dancer (directed by CJ Jones)
• The Cat and the Canary .... Annabelle (directed by CJ Jones)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum .... Gymnasia (directed by CJ Jones)
• Anne of Green Gables .... Anne (directed by Charles Katz)

Television

• Off Centre (2001) as Rebecca
• Threat Matrix (2003) as Holly Brodeen
• Weeds (2005-2006, 2012) as Megan Beals (Botwin)
• Jericho (2006-2008) as Bonnie Richmond
• Lie to Me (2010) as Sarah
• Another Period (2015) as Helen Keller
• Supernatural (2016) as Eileen Leahy

Films

• The Last Shot (2004) as Steven's Girlfriend
• Adventures of Power (2008) as Annie
• Sweet Nothing in My Ear (2008) (TV movie) as Valerie Park
• The Hammer: The Matt Hamill Story (2010) as Kristi

[ Source: Wikipedia ]