Emily Procter is a native of Raleigh, N.C. who attended East Carolina University. "I tried to get in the theatre department", she says, "but it was full." After graduation, however, she moved to Los Angeles and landed a number of small roles in films such as Jerry Maguire (1996). "Then I got the chance to audition for "The West Wing" (1999) and I got the part", she says. Her father, William, was a general practitioner. Her mother, Barbara, was a volunteer. They divorced when Emily was 2. She studied journalism and dance at East Carolina University. Upon graduation she worked as the weather girl at the Greenville CBS affiliate. She then moved to LA, where her father paid for 2 years of acting lessons. Does regular volunteer work at All Saints' Episcopal Church soup kitchen in Beverly Hills. Majored in journalism at University. Member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at ECU.