Robin Tunney
Biography
Robin Tunney is an American actress born on June 19, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. She studied acting at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she participated in stage productions including Bus Stop and Agnes of God. At the age of eighteen, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her professional acting career. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her work in both film and television, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the industry. Tunney is known for her versatile performances across various genres, ranging from independent dramas to major studio productions. Her professional history includes numerous credits in television series and feature films spanning several decades.
Career overview
Tunney made her film debut in the 1992 comedy Encino Man. She subsequently rose to prominence through leading roles in the cult films Empire Records in 1995 and The Craft in 1996. Her performance in the 1997 film Niagara, Niagara earned her critical acclaim and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, she secured leading roles in several feature films, including End of Days in 1999, as well as Supernova and Vertical Limit, both released in 2000. Additionally, she received praise for her portrayal of a sexual assault survivor in the 2006 independent drama Open Window.
In television, Tunney appeared in early roles on shows such as Life Goes On and Class of '96. She later earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Veronica Donovan on the series Prison Break, appearing from 2005 to 2006. She further expanded her television profile by starring as Teresa Lisbon on the series The Mentalist, a role she held from 2008 to 2015. With 57 known acting credits, her career reflects a consistent presence in both film and television media.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- By Design (2026) as Irene
- Ugly Cry (2026)
- Land of the Free (2024) as Kelly Fletcher
- Dear Edward (2023) as Jane
- Horse Girl (2020) as Agatha Kaine
- The Fix (2019) as Maya Travis
- Insatiable (2018) as Brandylynn Huggens
- Monster Party (2018) as Roxanne Dawson
- Looking Glass (2018) as Maggie
- My All American (2015) as Gloria Steinmark
- Misfire: The Rise and Fall of the Shooting Gallery (2013) as Self
- See Girl Run (2012) as Emmie
- Live from Studio Five (2009) as Self
- Passenger Side (2009) as Theresa
- The Mentalist (2008) as Teresa Lisbon
- The Burning Plain (2008) as Laura
- August (2008) as Melanie Hanson
- The Two Mr. Kissels (2008) as Nancy Keeshin
- The Darwin Awards (2007) as Zoe
- Hollywoodland (2006) as Leonore Lemmon
- Open Window (2006) as Izzy
- Prison Break (2005) as Veronica Donovan
- The Zodiac (2005) as Laura Parish
- Runaway (2005) as Carly
- House (2004) as Rebecca Adler
- Paparazzi (2004) as Abby Laramie
- Shadow of Fear (2004) as Wynn French
- Abby Singer (2003) as Robin Tunney (uncredited)
- The In-Laws (2003) as Angela Harris
- The Twilight Zone (2002) as Edie Durant
- Intimate Affairs (2002) as Zoey
- Cherish (2002) as Zoe
- The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002) as Laura
- Vertical Limit (2000) as Annie Garrett
- Bread and Roses (2000) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- Supernova (2000) as Danika Lund
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999) as Self - Guest
- End of Days (1999) as Christine York
- Montana (1998) as Kitty
- Niagara, Niagara (1998) as Marcy
- Rescuers: Stories of Courage - Two Families (1998) as Melvina 'Malka' Csizmadia
- Naked City: Justice with a Bullet (1998) as Merri Coffman
- Julian Po (1997) as Sarah
- The Craft (1996) as Sarah
- Riders of the Purple Sage (1996) as Elizabeth 'Bess' Erne
- Empire Records (1995) as Debra
- Class of '96 (1993) as Linda Miller
- JFK: Reckless Youth (1993) as Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy
- Cutters (1993) as Deborah Hart
- Encino Man (1992) as Ella
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992) as Sandra Turner
- Frogs! (1991) as Hannah
- Law & Order (1990) as Jill Templeton
- Dream On (1990) as Marybeth
- Life Goes On (1989)
- The Avoidant
- Divine Blood as Scarlet