Kelli Giddish

About

Kelli Marie Giddish (born April 13, 1980) is an American television, stage, and film actress. She is best known as NYPD Detective/Sergeant Amanda Rollins in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2011–present). Giddish previously played Di Henry in All My Children (2005–2007), Dr. Kate McGinn in Past Life (2010), and Annie Nolan Frost in Chase (2010–2011).

Giddish was born in Cumming, Georgia, the daughter of Charles and Nita Giddish; she has a brother, Eli. Her paternal grandfather encouraged her interest in acting, taking her to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Her maternal grandmother was also very supportive of her interests.
As a youth, Giddish performed at a community theater run by a local drama teacher, Yatesy Harvey, who was a friend of her mother. Giddish also participated in her sleepover drama camps. Of Harvey, Giddish has recalled, “She just inspired a fierce curiosity and very high standards of what acting was and how much dedication it took and rehearsal and we would do plays every night.”
Giddish won a number of accolades as a teen. While attending Forsyth Central High School, she was a member of their championship softball team, and…