Person Biography:
Erin Carufel, a chameleon-like character actress, graduated from USC's School of Dramatic Arts and earned a degree in drama from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. She continued studying acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse under the esteemed Milton Katselas.
Born Erin Rose Carufel in Modesto, California, she lived in Northern California until the age of two when her father got a job transfer to Beaverton, Oregon. Erin's childhood was filled with dancing, singing, and sports. Her parents fostered her love of the arts throughout her childhood and into adolescence.
Erin's love of being on-stage led her to musical theatre, which she became involved with in junior high school. She also loved athletics growing up, playing soccer, softball, and swimming at a competitive level. In high school, Erin discovered an affinity for martial arts, studying the Korean technique of Tae Kwon Do and eventually earning herself a black belt.
She went on to win four gold medals in the U.S. Open and the Gold Cup Championships, both for sparring and forms. In her senior year in high school, she began playing ice hockey on a women's team in Portland. Erin knew at a young age that she wanted to be a professional actress. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to start her freshman year at the University of Southern California to study theatre.
Wanting to continue with hockey, and since there was no female team, she decided to try out for the Pac-8 men's team. Erin made the cut, thus becoming the first female to play on the team since it began back in 1925.
Erin spent her junior year studying abroad in England. It was during this time when she dove into the study of the classics, such as Shakespeare and Greek and Roman theatre, as well as modern drama. Whilst she was at the University of Kent, Erin joined the kickboxing club. She traveled Europe competing and went undefeated in all her bouts.
After her junior year was complete, she left England and returned to USC for her senior year, graduating with cum laude honors from the School of Theatre, now called the School of Dramatic Arts.
Erin practices her craft in front of the camera as well as on-stage. She has worked with such talents as Clint Eastwood, Diane Lane, Matthew McConaughey, Chris Pine, and Hilary Swank just to name a few.
Philanthropy is another aspect of what drives Erin. She has donated hundreds of hours to feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, and aligning herself with non-profits such as the ALS Association and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Erin also works with the physically challenged coaching gymnastics for the Special Olympics.
In 2017, Erin married actor Scott Connors and launched her production company Irish Rose Entertainment, which creates both commercial and arthouse film and TV. In 2018, she gave birth to their daughter and now happily juggles motherhood and an acting career.
