Milena Govich

Milena Govich (/ˈɡoʊvɪtʃ/ GOH-vitch;[1] born October 29, 1976) is an American actress, director, singer, dancer, and musician, best known for portraying NYPD Detective Nina Cassady on the television series Law & Order.

Milena Govich
Milena Govich on January 7, 2016.
Born (1976-10-29) October 29, 1976
Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Central Oklahoma
OccupationActress, director, singer, musician, dancer
Years active2000–present
Spouse(s)
David Cornue
​
(m. 2003)​

Early life and education

Govich was born in Norman, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Both of her parents, Dr. Bruce Michael Govich, who died in 1998, and Dr. Marilyn Green Govich,[2] are professors of music: Bruce worked at University of Oklahoma and Marilyn currently teaches voice at the University of Central Oklahoma. Her father was Serbian and her mother is of Scottish and English ancestry. Her aunt, Milica Govich, is also an actress who has appeared on Broadway, television, and film.[3]

Milena graduated from Norman High School in 1994 as valedictorian of her class.[4] She followed her academic parents by graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma, once again graduating valedictorian with a double-degree in performance and pre-medical studies, and a minor in dance and violin.[5][6] After graduation, Govich moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.[7]

Career

Govich has appeared on Broadway in the musical revival of Cabaret, joining the 1998–2004 production in December 2000. She began in the role of Lulu, featuring her singing, dancing, and playing violin, and was the understudy and eventual replacement for the lead role, Sally Bowles.[8] Govich also performed on Broadway in the 2002 musical revival of The Boys from Syracuse and in the musical Good Vibrations. She starred as Millie in the first regional production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. In July 2012, Govich starred in the title role of Sweet Charity at The Lyric Theatre.[9]

On television, Govich first gained national attention in the United States as Gabby in the pilot episode of CBS's Love Monkey, then as the prostitute/con-artist Candy on Rescue Me.[10][11] She also starred in the Dick Wolf-produced series Conviction and then starred on Wolf's flagship series, Law & Order, as Detective Nina Cassady. She played the role for one season.

She has been featured or recurred on numerous other television shows: as New Orleans District Attorney Lyndsey Swann in the 20th Century Fox Television show K-Ville; as Assistant District Attorney Tracy Hunt on the CBS series The Defenders; and as Regina Turner on Make It or Break It.

She played a leading role on the MTV drama, Finding Carter.[12]

Govich has also appeared in several films, including 2004's Bad Behavior, 2006's In Love, 2009's Sordid Things, 2011's A Novel Romance, starring opposite Steve Guttenberg, and Lucky N#mbr, starring opposite Method Man.

Law & Order

Govich played the part of Jessica Rossi on the short-lived 2006 NBC legal drama Conviction, created by Dick Wolf. The day after that show was cancelled, Wolf invited her to join the cast of Law & Order for the 17th season,[13] which premiered on September 22, 2006. Govich played Det. Nina Cassady, who joined the cast as the junior partner when Jesse L. Martin's character, Det. Ed Green, was elevated to senior partner upon the retirement of Det. Joe Fontana, who was portrayed by Dennis Farina. Govich guest-starred on the Law & Order episode "Flaw" (Season 16, Episode 2) in 2005, joining a list of Law & Order cast regulars who did the same before having a starring role in the series. Reuters reported on June 1, 2007, that Govich would be replaced by Jeremy Sisto.[14]

Directing

Govich was one of eight filmmakers selected for the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women, mentored by Paul Feig. Her directorial debut short film, Temporary (which gained her acceptance into AFI) has won multiple awards on the film festival circuit.

Her upcoming short film, Unspeakable, written by David Cornue, is currently in post-production. It will serve as an episodic proof of concept for a one-hour TV drama, also written by Cornue. As of May 2020, it remains unreleased.

Twelve years after leaving Law & Order, Govich reunited with Wolf as a director and co-executive producer for his CBS series FBI.[15]

Personal life

Govich is married to David Cornue, a writer, composer and film producer. They have no children.[16]

On October 10, 2008, Govich sang the U.S. national anthem at the New Jersey Devils home opener at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. She has also appeared twice on tour as the guest performer with Chinese pop star Fei Xiang.[6]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Bad Behavior Alex Short film
2006 In Love Maxine Short film
2006 East Side Story Sara Short film
2009 Sordid Things Helen Little
2011 A Novel Romance Jenny Sparks
2015 Lucky Numbr Scar
2015 Pass the Light Anne

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Law & Order Geneva Episode: "Flaw"
2005-09 Rescue Me Candy Recurring role (16 episodes)
2006 Love Monkey Gabby Episode: "Pilot"
Conviction A.D.A. Jessica Rossi Main role (13 episodes)
2006-07 Law & Order Det. Nina Cassady Main role (22 episodes), Season 17
2007 K-Ville D.A. Lyndsey Swann Episodes: "Cobb's Webb", "Bedfellows", "Melissa", "Boulet in a China Shop"
2009 Psych Morgan Conrad Episode: "Earth, Wind and... Wait for It"
2010 The Defenders ADA Tracy Hunt Episodes: "Nevada v. Cerrato", "Nevada v. Rodgers"
2011 Body of Proof Mindy Harbinson Episode: "Dead Man Walking"
2012 Make It or Break It Regina Turner Episodes: "Dream On", "United States"
2014 The Mentalist Molly Episode: "Grey Water"
2014-15 Finding Carter Lori Stevens Recurring
2018-2020 Chicago Med Director Episodes #68, #81 and #95: "The Poison Inside Us", "More Harm Than Good" and "Leave the Choice to Solomon"
2019 Chicago Fire Episode #149: "Make This Right"
The InBetween Episode #4: "Kiss Them for Me"
FBI Episode #25: "American Idol"

References
  1. "MILENA GOVICH Indiegogo Campaign". Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  2. "Her parents, University of Central Oklahoma professor Marilyn Govich and the late University of Oklahoma professor Bruce Govich, were both performers and voice teachers, and they exposed their daughter to arts at an early age. Milena and her younger brothers, Mateja and Nikola, would frequently be in the house when her parents' doctoral voice students would show up for lessons."
  3. Milica Govich - IMDb
  4. Vidika, Ron (May 7, 2014). "'The Fault in Our Stars' movie features Lorain native" (PDF). The Morning Journal. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  5. "Govich double-majored in performance and a premedical track at UCO, with minors in dance and violin. In 1997, two years before she graduated, she joined the Lyric Theatre ensemble, where she appeared in "Man of La Mancha" - her mother performed in a 1971 Lyric production of the same play."
  6. "Milena Govich's professional bio". Newcoreproductions.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  7. Milena Govich, School of Music
  8. The Broadway League. "Milena Govich | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". IBDB. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  9. Warren, Clif. "A Dancer's Dream Musical". ionOKLAHOMA Online Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  10. http://broadwayworld.com/bios/viewstar.cfm?starid=450
  11. Milena Govich at the Internet Broadway Database
  12. "MTV Orders Family Drama Series From 'Lizzie McGuire' Creator". Variety. January 30, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  13. Interview with Milena Govich admin under actors, interviews. "Rambling On » Blog Archive » Interview with Milena Govich". Anthonycardno.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  14. Andreeva, Nellie (June 1, 2007). "Sisto flashing Law badge | Entertainment". Reuters. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  15. Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2019). "FBI: Milena Govich Joins as Co-EP/Director for Season 2 Of CBS Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  16. David Cornue - IMDb
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