Beth Riesgraf

Beth Jean Riesgraf was born on August 24, 1978, in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. She later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she graduated from Cimarron-Memorial High School in 1996. During her high school years, Riesgraf was notably active, serving as student body president, being voted “Most Admired Senior” and prom queen, and participating in the photography club. She graduated with honors, laying a foundation for a career that would encompass acting, directing, and producing in film and television.

Riesgraf’s acting career began in the early 2000s, with early appearances including “Spin City” and “Undressed” in 2001. A significant early role was Natalie Duckworth in “My Name Is Earl” (2005, 2007), where she appeared alongside her then-fiancé Jason Lee. Her film credits from this period include “Scorcher” (2002) and “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (2007). The year 2008 marked a turning point with her casting as Parker in the TNT series “Leverage,” a role she would inhabit for 77 episodes until 2012. This character, a master thief, became one of her most recognizable performances.

Following “Leverage,” Riesgraf continued to build a diverse resume, appearing in popular television series such as “Criminal Minds” (2012–2020) as Dr. Maeve Donovan, “The Mentalist” (2013), and “NCIS” (2011). In 2015, she took on a main role as Samantha Ellison in the USA Network series “Complications.” Her career progression also saw her venture into directing, with her first directorial credit for the short film “A Standard Story” in 2011. She has since directed multiple episodes of “Leverage: Redemption” (2021–2025) and other short films, concurrently starring as Parker in the “Leverage” revival. Her work has garnered industry recognition, including multiple Saturn Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress on Television.