Carey Lowell

Image of Carey Lowell
Image of Actress Carey Lowell
Carey Lowell (born February 11, 1961) is an American actress and former model, best known for her role as Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill (1989) and as New York Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross on Law & Order (1996–2001, 2022). Born in Huntington, New York, she spent her early years moving between the United States and abroad as her geologist father traveled. After a year at the University of Colorado at Boulder she moved to New York City to pursue modeling, working for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and later attended New York University. Lowell's film career began with Dangerously Close (1986) and Club Paradise (1986) before gaining broader recognition on Law & Order. She has continued acting across film and television, balanced with her ceramics venture, and in 2021 launched Carey Lowell Ceramics.

More Information

Full Name:
Carey Lowell
Date of Birth:
11 February 1961
Place of Birth:
Huntington, New York, USA
Nationality:
United States
Profession(s):
Actress, Model
Parents:
James Lowell (Father)
Partner:
John Stember (Married, 1984 to 1988), Griffin Dunne (Married, 1989 to 1995), Richard Gere (Divorced, 2002 to 2016)
Children:
Hannah Dunne (Daughter), Homer James Jigme Gere (Son, Born 2000)
Education:
New York University (College), University of Colorado at Boulder (University)
Career Started:
1986
Work:
Dangerously Close (1986), Licence to Kill (1989)
Professions:
Actress, Model

Carey Lowell

Carey Lowell (born February 11, 1961) is an American actress and former model, best known for her role as Bond girl Pam Bouvier in Licence to Kill (1989) and as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross on Law & Order (1996–2001, 2022). Born in Huntington, New York, she spent her early years moving between the United States and abroad as her geologist father traveled. After a year at the University of Colorado at Boulder she moved to New York City to pursue modeling, working for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and later attended New York University. Lowell’s film career began with Dangerously Close (1986) and Club Paradise (1986) before gaining broader recognition on Law & Order. She has continued acting across film and television, balanced with her ceramics venture, and in 2021 launched Carey Lowell Ceramics.

Early Life and Background

Lowell was born in Huntington, New York, the daughter of geologist James Lowell. She spent her childhood living in several countries, including Libya, the Netherlands, and France. In the United States, she also lived in Houston, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, where her family settled when she was 12. After a year at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she considered majoring in literature, she moved to New York City to pursue modeling, working for such clients as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and at one point attended New York University. She also studied at Manhattan’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

Path to Acting

Lowell broke into acting with the film Dangerously Close, followed by a small role in the Harold Ramis movie club Paradise. She went on to roles including co-starring as Bond girl Pam Bouvier in the James Bond movie Licence to Kill (1989), and starting in 1996, as Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ross for two seasons on the television drama Law & Order, a character she reprised in 2005 for a guest role on its spinoff, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, and again on the original series in 2022 when it returned for a 21st season. Immediately before getting that role, she had applied to study documentary filmmaking at New York University.

Carey Lowell Career

Early Career

Carey Lowell’s first major screen appearances came with Dangerously Close (1986) and the comedy Club Paradise (1986). These early projects established her presence in Hollywood and opened the door to larger roles in the years that followed. Her modeling background with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein brought her visibility that helped transition her into film work.

Breakthrough

Lowell’s breakthrough came with her casting as Pam Bouvier in the James Bond film Licence to Kill (1989), a role that brought her international recognition. She followed this with her casting as Jamie Ross on Law & Order beginning in 1996, a character she played for two seasons. She reprised the role in 2005 on the spinoff Law & Order: Trial by Jury and returned to the original series in 2022 for its 21st season. She took a hiatus from acting during the mid-2000s.

Notable Works and Milestones

Lowell’s most notable work remains Licence to Kill, her debut as a Bond girl opposite Timothy Dalton. She also reprised her role in the video game 007 Legends (2012). In 2018, she returned to TV, appearing as a guest on Blue Bloods. In 2021, Lowell launched the company Carey Lowell Ceramics, reflecting her longstanding interest in the craft.

Upcoming Projects

As of 2025, no upcoming projects for Carey Lowell have been announced.

Carey Lowell Personal Life

Carey Lowell is a devout Buddhist. She has incorporated Buddhist teachings into her life, including the naming of her son, Homer James Jigme. Lowell has been married three times. Her first husband was photographer John Stember, to whom she was married from 1984 to 1988. She was married to actor Griffin Dunne from 1989 to 1995, and they have a daughter, Hannah Dunne. In November 2002, Lowell married actor Richard Gere, and their son Homer James Jigme Gere was born on February 6, 2000. In 2013, the two separated. They spent three years in highly contested divorce proceedings in New York Supreme Court. The case was settled in October 2016.