Anne Marie Cancelmi (born July 31, 1975), known professionally as Annie Parisse, is an American actress. She portrayed Alexandra Borgia on the drama series Law & Order. Parisse has also starred as Julia Snyder on the soap opera As the World Turns, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award.

Early life :

Parisse was born in Anchorage, Alaska, the daughter of Annette, a teacher, and Louis G. Cancelmi, a senior executive with Alaska Airlines. Her brother Louis is also an actor. Louis is married to Elisabeth Waterston, a daughter of Law & Order veteran Sam Waterston.

Parisse grew up in Mercer Island, Washington,and attended Mercer Island High School.

Parisse moved to New York City when she was 18 to attend Fordham University, where she majored in theater and appeared in numerous productions, including Medea and Antigone, both of which featured her as the lead.