Moira Kelly is a versatile actress known for her roles in both film and television. From her breakout performance in “The Cutting Edge” to her memorable role as Karen Roe in “One Tree Hill,” Kelly has made a significant impact on Hollywood.
This blog post delves into her early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and some interesting facts about her life.
Early Life and Upbringing
Moira Kelly was born on March 6, 1968, in Queens, New York. She is the daughter of Peter Kelly, a trained concert violinist, and Anne Kelly, a nurse. Both her parents are Irish immigrants. Kelly grew up in Ronkonkoma, New York, as the third of six children. She was raised in a Catholic household and attended Connetquot Senior High School in Bohemia, Long Island.
Kelly initially aspired to become a nun but decided to pursue acting after being cast in a school production of “Annie” in 1984.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
Personal Details | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Moira Anne Kelly |
Nickname | M.K. |
Alternative Names(s) | Moira Hewitt |
Date of Birth | March 6, 1968 |
Age (as of 2024) | 56 |
Religion | Catholic |
Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
Nationality | American |
Birthplace | Queens, New York |
Hometown | Ronkonkoma, New York |
Current Address | Not specified |
Education Qualification | Marymount Manhattan College |
Hobbies and Interests | Singing, Acting, Horseback riding |
Languages Known | English |
Social Media Profiles link | Facebook , Instagram |
Wikipedia Profile link | Wikipedia |
IMDb Profile link | IMDb |
Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
Physical Details | Information |
---|---|
Body Type | Slim |
Body Measurements | 32-23-33 inches |
Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’3″ (160 cm) |
Weight in lbs, kg | 114 lbs (52 kg) |
Chest | 32 inches |
Waist | 23 inches |
Biceps | N/A |
Eye Colour | Hazel |
Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
Hairstyle | Varies |
Distinctive Features | High cheekbones |
Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Moira Kelly is married to Steve Hewitt, a television producer, since August 5, 2000. The couple has two children, Eamon and Ella Hewitt. Kelly has always been private about her personal life, but she has shared that her family is her biggest support system.
Relationships Details | Information |
---|---|
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse – Husband | Steve Hewitt |
Father | Peter Kelly |
Mother | Anne Kelly |
Children | Eamon Hewitt, Ella Hewitt |
Siblings | 5 siblings |
Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | None reported |
Significant Relationships | Steve Hewitt (Husband) |
Rise to Stardom
Kelly made her professional acting debut in the TV movie “Love, Lies and Murder” in 1991. Her big-screen debut came with the film “The Boy Who Cried Bitch” the same year. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Kate Moseley in the romantic comedy “The Cutting Edge” (1992).
Kelly’s performance in “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (1992) also earned her critical acclaim.

Moira Kelly – Selfie

Moira Kelly – Debut Film – Love, Lies and Murder
Moira Kelly – Successful Film – The Lion King
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Throughout her career, Moira Kelly has been part of several successful projects. She voiced Nala in Disney’s animated film “The Lion King” and its sequels. Kelly also played White House media consultant Mandy Hampton in the first season of “The West Wing,” for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2001.
Her role as Karen Roe in “One Tree Hill” is another highlight of her career.
Career Details | Information |
---|---|
Profession(s) | Actress, Voice Actress |
Debut Film | Love, Lies and Murder” (1991) |
Notable Roles | Kate Moseley, Karen Roe, Donna Hayward, Nala (voice) |
Recent Films – New Movies | My Southern Family Christmas” (2022), “Citadel” (2023) |
Upcoming Films | Love of the Irish” (2025) |
Popular Television Series | One Tree Hill”, “The West Wing”, “Twin Peaks” |
Awards and Achievements | Screen Actors Guild Award, Victorian of the Year |
Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
Philanthropy/Charity Work | Creating Hope Foundation, Children First Foundation |
Professional Associations | Creating Hope Foundation |
Training and Education | Marymount Manhattan College |
Production Company | Spring Creek Productions |
Box Office Success – Hit Movies | The Lion King, The Cutting Edge |
Critical Acclaim Movies | The West Wing, One Tree Hill |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
Finances Details | Information |
---|---|
Net Worth in Dollars | $2 million |
Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
Sponsorship Deals | the Prelim Championships |
Business Ventures | Fat Kelly Burger chain, Pure Wonderkelly Vodka, Moira Kelly Seduction fashion line |
Investments | Smart stock investments |
Real Estate Holdings | Apartment in Los Angeles, California |
Luxury Items/Properties Owned | homes |
Cars Collection | Range Rovar |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
Favorite Things | Information |
---|---|
Favorite Actor | Jason Biggs |
Favorite Actress | Ru Flynn |
Favorite Film | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me |
Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
Favorite Sport | Football |
Favorite Books | N/A |
Favorite Colour | Blue |
Favorite Food | Mexican food |
Things she likes | Traveling, listing music |
Things she dislikes | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Moira Kelly
Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
---|---|---|
The Cutting Edge | 1992 | Kate Moseley |
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | 1992 | Donna Hayward |
The Lion King | 1994 | Nala (voice) |
The West Wing | 1999 | Mandy Hampton |
One Tree Hill | 2003-2009 | Karen Roe |
Controversies – Moira Kelly
- Religious Dilemma: Kelly had to seek permission from her priest before taking on roles with explicit content.
- Role in “The Cutting Edge”: Kelly spent over two months training for her role as a figure skater.
- Replacement in “Cannibal! The Musical”: Kelly was originally cast but replaced due to concerns about the film’s impact on her career.
- Voice Acting in “The Lion King”: Kelly voiced Nala, a role that required her to balance her religious beliefs with her professional commitments.
- Personal Life Privacy: Kelly has been very private about her personal life, leading to speculation and rumors.
Interesting Facts – Moira Kelly
- Kelly was originally cast as Geena Davis’s younger sister in “A League of Their Own” but had to drop out due to an injury.
- She has a husky voice, which has been a trademark in her voice acting roles.
- Kelly attended Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated with a degree in theater.
- She has successfully transitioned between film and television, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
- Kelly’s role in “The West Wing” earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award.
- She has been a part of the entertainment industry since the late 1980s and continues to work on various projects.