Michelle Clunie
Introduction '''Michelle Renee Clunie''' (born November 7, 1969) is an American actress and former ballet dancer. A native of Portland, Oregon, Clunie studied ballet from an early age, earning a scholarship at the Academy of Professional Ballet. In 1992, she starred in a Los Angeles–based production of ''A Comedy of Eros'', for which she won a Drama-Logue Award for Best Actress, before making her film debut in the slasher film ''Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday'' (1993).Clunie gained international attention for her portrayal of Melanie Marcus on Showtime's critically acclaimed series ''Queer as Folk'' (2000–2005). She later starred as Ellen Beals on ''Make It or Break It'' (2010–2011) and as Mrs. Finch on MTV’s ''Teen Wolf'' (2015–2017).
Early life Clunie was born November 7, 1969, in Portland, Oregon. As a child, she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and violin. Clunie attended Portland's David Douglas High School, graduating in 1987.She was awarded a scholarship to The Academy of Professional Ballet where she studied and apprenticed throughout her teenage years. At 19 years old she sold her violin for $200 and moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue an acting career.
Career In 1992, Clunie made her Los Angeles stage debut in Dean Orion's ''A Comedy of Eros'' performed at the Skylight Theatre, which earned her a Drama-Logue Award for Best Actress.Additional stage highlights include her portrayal of Abby in Neil LaBute's West Coast premiere of ''The Mercy Seat'' at the Ford Theatre, for which she won the Backstage Readers Best Performance Award, and the world premiere and Off-Broadway production of ''US'', written and performed by Clunie at New York City's Lion Theatre at Theatre Row.In 1995, she was cast in the Academy Award-winning ''The Usual Suspects'' and shortly thereafter played a supporting role in ''Lost & Found''. She became a series regular on ''The Jeff Foxworthy Show'' and guest starred on ''ER'', ''The Tony Danza Show'', ''House M.D., Without a Trace,'' ''NCIS'', among several others.She played Melanie Marcus in the US adaptation of ''Queer as Folk'' and the biology teacher, Mrs. Finch, on MTV’s ''Teen Wolf''.
Personal life In October 2014 it was announced Clunie was expecting a child with director Bryan Singer, and in January 2015 she gave birth to their son.
Filmography ===Film=== Year Title Role Notes 1993 ''Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday'' Deborah  1993 ''Sunset Strip'' Jonesy  1995 ''The Usual Suspects'' Sketch Artist  1999 ''Lost & Found'' Gail  2005 ''The Unseen'' Kathleen  2008 ''Solar Flare'' Jamie  2008 ''Leaving Barstow'' Sandra  2012 ''Magic Mike'' Dallas' Girl 2014 ''Death Clique'' Tina 2015 ''A Sort of Homecoming'' Amy Hartinger  ===Television=== Year Title Role Notes 1996 ''Space: Above and Beyond'' Jennifer Brandt 1 episode 1996 ''The Jeff Foxworthy Show'' DeeDee Landrow 5 episodes 1997 ''Boy Meets World'' Kelly 1 episode ''Night Man'' Megan Farrell 1 episode 1998 ''The Tony Danza Show'' Maggie 1 episode 1999 ''V.I.P.'' Mary Tepsin 1 episode 2000 ''Diagnosis: Murder''  Maeve Michaels 1 episode 2000 ''Battery Park'' Mrs. Fleishman 1 episode 2000–2005 ''Queer as Folk'' Melanie Marcus 83 episodes 2002 ''Judging Amy'' Nancy Recurring role 2006 ''House M.D'' Judy 1 episode 2006  ''Without a Trace'' Cindy Peterson 1 episode 2007  ''The Closer'' Dr. Leonard  1 episode 2009 ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' Paulla Kingsley  1 episode 2010  ''The Mentalist''  Tara Harrington 1 episode 2010–2011 ''Make It or Break It'' Ellen Beals Recurring role 2010 ''Lie to Me'' Jane Prescott 1 episode 2011 ''Detroit 1-8-7'' Alex Bergman  1 episode 2011 ''In Plain Sight'' Sage Lorne/Britt Parnell 1 episode 2013 ''NCIS'' Meredith Dunn 1 episode 2014 ''Bones'' Suzanne Levitt 1 episode 2015-2017 ''Teen Wolf'' Mrs Finch (AP Biology Teacher) Recurring role; 9 Episodes
References
External links * * Michelle Clunie website