Erin Raftery, a woman of Irish heritage, was born in Thompson, Connecticut, to Rita and James Raftery, who hail from the iconic Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in New York City. Her academic prowess earned her an athletic scholarship, allowing her to graduate from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Political Science. Prior to pursuing a career in the arts, Erin worked as a congressional aide for Congressman Joe Courtney in Washington D.C.
Erin's artistic talents were further honed through her training at the esteemed Herbert Berghof Studio, a renowned institution located in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York City. This prestigious school has produced a long list of notable alumni, including Uta Hagen, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Candice Bergen, Al Pacino, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
After spending several years in New York City, Erin relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued to work in the theatre world. Her artistic endeavors eventually led her to star in and produce the critically acclaimed short film Joy Division (2009),which is set in WWII Germany. This powerful film premiered internationally at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2010, and subsequently debuted nationally at the Nantucket Film Festival later that year. Joy Division has since been shown to wide audiences, shedding light on the heinous sex crimes committed at Holocaust labor camps.
