Finnerty, a classically-trained actress, holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she pursued her graduate studies. During her time at ACT, she resided on a 32-foot sailboat named "Elysium", which she later sold and moved to New York City. Her big break came when she was cast as Denise McCarthy in the TV series "The Sopranos", directed by renowned filmmaker Mike Figgis.
Finnerty has since appeared in over 40 commercials, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her impressive list of Off- and On-Broadway credits includes "The White Chip", "Dot", "Brighton Beach Memoirs", "Almost Maine", and the Drama Desk-nominated production of "Lost in Yonkers". She has also performed at top regional theaters across the country and received the Elliot Norton Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance as Ms. Calvin in "The Shape She Makes" at the American Repertory Theater.
Despite her love for the theater, Finnerty's natural talent and intimate acting style have made her a sought-after talent for television and film. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of inmate Beth Hoefler, also known as Beth "The Baby Killer", on the hit Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black". Her extensive television credits also include "The Blacklist", "Sneaky Pete", "Bored to Death", "The Big C", and "Louie".
Finnerty's film credits include "Francis Ha", "Morning Glory", "Away We Go", and the upcoming "Bad Education" alongside Allison Janney and Hugh Jackman, directed by Corey Finley. Her feature debut as a writer and producer is "before/during/after", a testament to her growing talents behind the camera as well as in front of it.
