Biography
This red-headed beauty from Philadelphia's Main Line was discovered by a photographer at a friend's Bat Mitzvah when she was just 12. Soon after, she was signed as one of Wilhelmina Models’ youngest talents, traveling from Japan to Europe and New Zealand to shoot fashion covers and commercials worldwide. By her late teens, Deirdre’s resume included lead roles in several national commercials, numerous modeling campaigns, billboards, and starring roles in theatrical and musical theatre productions. In 1997, she became the first female spokeswoman for Irish Spring, impressively performing with a flawless Irish accent, signaling her rising star in the industry.
Despite starting her career early, Deirdre prioritized education, earning a college degree in Theatre and gaining acceptance into the prestigious NYU Tisch School’s Column Theatre program. Her dedication and focus led her to graduate from the two-year Master’s program at the renowned Sanford Meisner Center.
Just two weeks after arriving in Hollywood, Deirdre landed the coveted role of Sandra Bullock’s roommate, Mary Jo Wright ("Miss Texas"), in the hit comedy Miss Congeniality, directed by Donald Petrie. Known for her mastery of southern dialects, she reprised her southern charm in the western Aces 'N Eights, starring alongside Casper Van Dien and the late Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine. She also portrayed “Texas Tina” with authentic Texan speech throughout the first season of the award-winning sci-fi drama Heroes. In New Orleans, she had a recurring role on FOX’s short-lived series K-Ville.
Chosen and mentored by Marlon Brando, Deirdre had the privilege of participating in his final known project before his passing: the documentary Lying for a Living. She worked alongside late legends Robin Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Edward James Olmos, and Whoopi Goldberg, among others.
Deirdre’s versatile range spans from predatory roles in shows like New Suit, CSI, CSI-NY, E-Ring, Diagnosis Murder, Jane Doe, to her starring role in Stephen King’s thriller The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. She also showcased a gritty, raw vulnerability in the indie film Spare Change, contrasting with her elegant portrayal of a young Maureen O’Hara and war bride in CBS’s The Last Dance.
Off-camera, Deirdre Quinn is a multi-talented individual. An athlete since childhood, she has been a golfer and learned to ski at age three in the Italian Alps of Cervinia. Her private schooling and extensive travel cultivated her flair for other arts; she plays classical piano and sings a variety of genres from opera to jazz to country. She recorded “You Light Up My Life” at Capitol Records for the Miss Congeniality soundtrack. As an interior designer, style icon, published essayist, avid foodie, wine collector, and antique enthusiast, Deirdre lives a life dedicated to curating beauty. When not filming, she immerses herself in interior design, party planning (including her own wedding, which was featured in Inside Weddings), home renovations, and parenting tips. These passions are showcased on her popular lifestyle blog, TheNestingBird, and her Instagram design account @Deirdre.Quinn.
Beyond style, Deirdre stepped away from the spotlight in 2009 following the pregnancy and loss of her first child. She faced further challenges with additional pregnancies and losses, which kept her out of the public eye for years. Nevertheless, Deirdre and her husband remained determined, focusing on building their family and finally welcoming a daughter in 2013. During this time, Deirdre also devoted herself to community service. Together with her husband, she organized a Toys-for-Tots campaign, helped coordinate a reforestation event for TreePeople LA to replace trees lost in wildfires, adopted a family through M.E.N.D., worked closely with the Interfaith Food Pantry, and became active members of Heal the Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to ocean cleanup.
Deirdre and her husband also collaborate as renovators and designers through their residential and multi-residential development company, WK Properties & Brett D. Karns Designs. Meanwhile, Deirdre embraces her most important role yet—that of a stay-at-home mom. Whether through parenting, philanthropy, design, or acting, Deirdre strives to be present, creative, and to make a meaningful, lasting impact in all areas of her life.
She shares her Los Angeles home, hikes, and happiness with her daughter and two cats.
