Erin Raftery

Erin Raftery, hailing from Irish heritage, was born in Thompson, Connecticut, to parents Rita and James Raftery, both originally from Hell's Kitchen, New York City. With a passion for athletics, she secured a scholarship to the University of Connecticut, where she earned a degree in Political Science. However, her career path took a dramatic turn when she decided to leave her position working for Congressman Joe Courtney in Washington, D.C., to fully embrace her artistic ambitions.

Erin honed her craft as an actress at the prestigious Herbert Berghof Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City, a place known for shaping talents like Uta Hagen and Robert De Niro. After several years immersed in the New York theater scene, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she gained recognition not only as an actress but also as a producer. One of her significant projects is the short film *Joy Division* (2009), which is set against the backdrop of WWII Germany. This poignant film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 and was showcased at the Nantucket Film Festival the same year, aiming to raise awareness about the sexual violence perpetrated in Holocaust labor camps. Erin's work continues to resonate, shedding light on crucial historical issues through her artistic endeavors.