Deirdre OConnell is an American character actress who has worked extensively on stage screen and television OConnell began her career at Stage One an experimental theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts She made herBroadway debut in the 1986 revival of The Front Page and was nominated for the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in the offBroadway production Love and Anger She is the recipient of two DramaLogue Awards and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her stage work in Los Angeles OConnell made her screen debut in Tin Men Additional film credits include State of Grace Straight Talk Leaving NormalFearless City of Angels Hearts in Atlantis Imaginary Heroes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Wendy and LucyWhat Happens in Vegas Secondhand Lions and Synecdoche New York OConnells first television credit was Fernwood 2 Night in 1977 She was a regular on LA Doctors and has made numerous guest appearances on series such as Kate Allie Chicago Hope Law Order The Practice Six Feet UnderLaw Order Criminal Intent and Nurse Jackie Wikipedia