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 and homemaker. They divorced when Emily was 3.　　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　　Is a model for Charriol.　　She collects bugs as a hobby.　　Although she plays a character with a very serious personality on CSI: Miami (2002), says that she is a very "silly, goofy" person in real life.　　Fronts her own 80s cover band called, "White Lighten."　　Loves construction, might have been an interior decorator.　　Has a brother named Whit.　　Was chosen for a Distinguished Alumni Award by her high school, Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2006. Others who have attended this school were Michael C. Hall, William Joyner and Hughes Winborne.　　Before she became an actress, she was a weather reporter for a local TV station. She was promoted to crime reporter, but left soon afterwards because the work was "too gory".　　Good friends with Jorja Fox.　　Emily and her boyfriend, musician Paul Bryan, welcomed baby girl Philippa "Pippa" Frances, born December 8th, 2010. Pippa weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz., was 19.5 inches long, and was delivered via C-section due to being breech.　　Was adopted as an infant. Her older brother Whit was also adopted, 3 years before Emily was.