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Jennifer Leann Carpenter (born December 7, 1979) is an American actress, known for her portrayals of Emily Rose in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Debra Morgan on Dexter, and the lead role in the 2008 horror film Quarantine. Carpenter was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Catherine (née Mitchell) Robert Carpenter. She attended St. Raphael the Archangel and then Sacred Heart Academy. She trained at the Walden Theatre Conservatory program, and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. Before graduation, she was cast in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible... MORE

Jennifer Leann Carpenter (born December 7, 1979) is an American actress, known for her portrayals of Emily Rose in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Debra Morgan on Dexter, and the lead role in the 2008 horror film Quarantine. Carpenter was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Catherine (née Mitchell) Robert Carpenter. She attended St. Raphael the Archangel and then Sacred Heart Academy. She trained at the Walden Theatre Conservatory program, and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. Before graduation, she was cast in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. Carpenter first attracted critical attention for her performance in The Exorcism of Emily Rose. She took home the 2006 MTV Movie Award for 'Best Frightened Performance', and also received a 'Hollywood Life Breakthrough Award'. She was also named 'Breakout Performer' at the 2006 Scream Awards. Carpenter currently plays the role of Debra Morgan in the Showtime crime drama television series Dexter which premiered October 1, 2006. Her portrayal of the title character's sister has impressed some critics, with Australian journalist Jack Marx describing her portrayal of LESS