Ms. Neil was born in Boston and raised in Detroit, where she went to University-Liggett School. She graduated from Williams College and the National Theater Institute. Immediately following graduation, she moved to New York City.
Ryan's Hope marks Ms. Neil's first role in an impressive list of daytime credits. She played a dual role: the evil Teresa and her mousy cousin Poppy. She went on to play Ruby Wright Wheeler on Texas, which remains one of her favorite roles. She also played Rose McClaren Shayne on Guiding Light, Emily Benson on Another World and Dawn Wheeler on As the World Turns.
In addition to her daytime roles, Ms. Neil has numerous acting credits in primetime and feature films. Her primetime credits include guest starring and co-starring roles on Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Madigan Men, Dudley, The Sopranos, Ed, Laurel Canyon, and Sessions. Ms. Neil's film credits include The Science Of Love, Something's Gotta Give, Marci X, Suits, Long-Time Companion, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Manhunter, and Wall Street.
Ms. Neil's acting experience also includes and extensive list of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater credits. One of Ms. Neil's favorite theater experiences was working with Frank Langella on Broadway in Match. Off- Broadway, she has worked with the Ensemble Studio Theater, WPA, the Jewish Rep Theater, LaMama ETC, SoHo Rep, and others. Among her regional theater credits are the Alley Theater, Houston, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actors' Theater of Louisville, Hartman Theater, Philadelphia Company and Syracuse Stage.
She feels very fortunate that she's been able to mix stage, TV and film and have a varied and exciting career. Ms. Neil lives in Manhattan with her husband, actor John C. Vennema, her daughter Zoe, her stepdaughter, Bess, and their Chocolate Labrador Retriever Muddy, and their cat Lilac.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mrs. Drake, in "Taboo"
2006
Law & Order
Alice Marner, in "Ego"
2001
Law & Order
Lisa Harmon, in "Shadow"
1997
Madigan Men
Catherine, in "Meet the Wolfes"
2000
The Sopranos
Wendy Krim, in "A Hit Is a Hit"1
1999
As the World Turns
Dawn Wheeler
1994 to 1995
Guiding Light
Rose McClaren Shayne
1987 to 1988
One Life to Live
Jeannie Johnson
1986
Another World
Emily Benson
1984 to 1985
Search for Tomorrow
Gwen
1984
Another World: Texas
Ruby Wright
1981 to 1982
Ryan's Hope
Teresa Donahue
1978 to 1979
Ryan's Hope
Poppy Lincoln
1979
The Science of Love
Ileana
2005
Something's Gotta Give
Harry's Old Flame
2003
Marci X
Woman at Auction
2003
Suits
Sally Parkyn
1999
Longtime Companion
Soap Actress
1990
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
Sally
1989
Wall Street
Elevator Person
1987
DATE OF BIRTH: April 7, 1955
PLACE OF BIRTH: Boston, Massachusetts
