Born December 12, 1970, in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, Jennifer is an accomplished star actress. Jennifer grew up in Brooklyn Heights, except for the four years her family spent in Woodstock, New York. Her father, Gerard Connelly, is a clothing manufacturer, and her mother, Eileen Connelly, is a massage therapist and former antiques dealer. She attended Saint Ann's school in Brooklyn, enrolled at Yale, then transferred two years later to Stanford. Her academic studies included interests in Quantum Physics and philosophy. Jennifer is trained in classical theater and improvisation, having studied with the late drama coach Roy London and with Howard Fine and Harold Guskin. She speaks fluent Italian, French and is semi fluent in Japanese.

When Jennifer was 10, a family friend who was an advertising executive suggested that her parents take her to a modeling audition. She began doing modeling work through the Ford Agency, appearing in magazine ads for Seventeen magazine and soon moved on to TV commercials. She also appeared in a Miller Beer commercial. A casting director saw Jennifer and introduced her to Sergio Leone, who was seeking a young girl to dance in his gangster epic "Once Upon a Time in America". Jennifer got the part, and this was her first movie appearance, and the big break that launched her career.

Jennifer enjoys physical activities such as swimming, gymnastics, bike riding, and roller skating. She is very much the outdoors person, being into camping, hiking and walking. What attracts many people to Jennifer, is not so much the kind of characters or roles she plays but her alluring style and charm which connects her to the audience. Jennifer seems able to bring this talent into all her roles. Being one of the most attractive women ever to grace the screen also helps considerably! Jennifer has matured into one of the most versatile actresses on the screen.