Biography

Sarah Rafferty stars in USA Network's SUITS as Donna Paulsen, office mastermind and Harvey's former executive assistant turned COO of the ever-evolving prolific Manhattan law firm.

On television, Rafferty has guest starred on "Brothers and Sisters," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Six Feet Under," "Without a Trace," "Bones," "Samantha Who?," "8 Simple Rules" and the television movie "What if God Were the Sun" opposite Gena Rowlands. Rafferty was also seen in independent features "Falling for Grace" and "Small Beautifully Moving Parts," which debuted at The Tribeca Film Festival and South by Southwest, respectively.

Rafferty has numerous theater credits in New York, including appearances at Second Stage, The Roundabout Theatre Company and The Lucille Lortel. While starring opposite Kathleen Turner and Charles Busch in his play "The Third Story,"The New York Times' Ben Brantley called Rafferty "a screwball charmer." Rafferty has appeared in many regional theaters across the country, including productions and workshops of new plays at South Coast Repertory and Shakespeare and Company, where she played Rosalind in "As You Like It." She also voiced several radio plays for "The Play's the Thing" on NPR.

In addition to acting, Rafferty lends a hand to many causes. She hosted the annual Night at Sardi's event for two consecutive years in Los Angeles, raising awareness for Alzheimer's Association research efforts. She also took on the role of an ambassador for newly-founded organization The Brain Project, which raises funds through provoking works of art for Baycrest Health Sciences, a world leader in brain health and aging.

Rafferty grew up the youngest of four daughters in Connecticut. While in high school at Philips Academy, her drama teacher caught her running across his lawn trying to get to field hockey practice on time. He told her to skip practice and join the cast of "Richard III" and thus began her love of theater. Rafferty double majored in English and Theater at Hamilton College and, after graduating magna cum laude, went on to receive her MFA from The Yale School of Drama.

Rafferty currently resides on both coasts with her husband and two daughters. She credits her mother, the Chairwoman of the English Department at Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut, and her father, who enjoys two successful careers in finance and oil painting, for cultivating her passion for the arts.