Sarah Rafferty is an American actress best known for her role as Donna Paulsen on the hit legal drama Suits. Over the course of her career, Sarah has made a significant impact on both television and film with her range, emotional depth, and charm. Her dedication to her craft and her roles have earned her a loyal fan base, with Suits being a defining part of her career. But Sarah’s journey to stardom wasn’t just shaped by her acting talent—her educational background, career choices, and personal life have all played integral roles in making her the beloved figure she is today.
Early Life and Education
Sarah Rafferty was born on December 6, 1972, in New Canaan, Connecticut, as the youngest of four daughters. Growing up in a family that valued both intellectual and artistic pursuits, Sarah was encouraged to explore her talents early on. Her father, Michael Rafferty, was involved in finance, and her mother, Mary Lee Rafferty, was an English teacher.
Sarah attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where she was actively involved in drama and theatre. After high school, she pursued higher education at Hamilton College, double majoring in English and Theatre, where she graduated magna cum laude. It was during this time that Sarah developed her passion for acting, honing her skills both on stage and in the classroom.
Eager to pursue her dreams, Sarah continued her education at the prestigious Yale School of Drama, earning her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. It was at Yale that she truly polished her acting technique and began to make connections that would later help her in her professional career.
Sarah Rafferty Career Beginnings
Sarah Rafferty’s professional career began in the late 1990s with guest roles in television and supporting parts in film. Early appearances included guest spots on shows like Law & Order, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Six Feet Under. These roles allowed her to gain valuable experience and build her reputation as a versatile actress capable of playing a wide variety of characters.
Her film credits in the early years include Mambo Café (2000) and Speakeasy (2002), where she played supporting roles that showcased her ability to navigate both comedic and dramatic performances.
Despite these initial roles, Sarah’s career truly took off when she landed the role of Donna Paulsen on Suits, a role that would define her career and make her a household name.
Breakthrough Role: Donna Paulsen in Suits
In 2011, Sarah Rafferty was cast as Donna Paulsen, the sharp-witted and loyal legal secretary to Harvey Specter (played by Gabriel Macht) on Suits. The show, which centered around a prestigious law firm in New York, quickly became a hit, with Sarah’s performance as Donna being widely praised by fans and critics alike. Donna’s character, who evolves over the course of the series from a secretary to the firm’s chief operating officer, became one of the most beloved figures on television.
What set Donna apart was not just her professional expertise but her rich emotional depth, loyalty to her colleagues, and her undeniable chemistry with Harvey Specter. The will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Donna and Harvey kept audiences hooked for seasons, and Sarah’s portrayal of this complicated and multifaceted character helped solidify Suits as a standout show.
Throughout the show’s nine seasons (2011–2019), Sarah Rafferty became an integral part of the ensemble cast, and her role as Donna remains one of the highlights of her acting career. (Suits is available for streaming, introducing new fans to Donna Paulsen’s unforgettable wit and charm.)
Sarah Rafferty Other TV and Film Roles
While Donna Paulsen remains Sarah’s most iconic role, she has also appeared in various other projects after Suits. Sarah had recurring roles on popular TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy (2020) and Chicago Med (2021–2022), where she showcased her versatility as an actress in the medical drama genre.
Her post-Suits projects include appearances in films like Falling for Grace (2006) and Four Single Fathers (2009), where she continued to explore different genres and roles. Sarah has also taken part in theatrical productions, having performed in renowned New York theatres like The Roundabout Theatre Company and Second Stage Theatre, where she earned acclaim for her stage performances.
Sarah Rafferty Personal Life and Family
Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah Rafferty’s personal life has often captured public interest, especially her relationship with Santtu Seppälä, a financial analyst. The couple met while they were both students at Yale University and married on June 23, 2001. They share two daughters, Oona Gray Seppälä (born 2007) and Iris Friday Seppälä (born 2012), and are known for maintaining a private and grounded family life despite Sarah’s high-profile career.
Sarah is also known for her commitment to her friendships and her community. She remains close to her Suits co-stars, including Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, and the cast often reunites for charity events and other social causes.
Sarah Rafferty Net Worth and Recognition
With her long-running role on Suits and various other projects, Sarah Rafferty has amassed a net worth estimated at around $5–10 million. This fortune comes not only from her acting career but also from endorsements and her other creative ventures.
Throughout her career, Sarah has been recognized for her talent, professionalism, and ability to bring depth to her characters. While she has not been the subject of major award wins, her work on Suits earned her widespread industry recognition, including fan awards and nominations.
Legacy and Influence
Sarah Rafferty’s legacy extends beyond her role as Donna Paulsen. She has become a symbol of strength, wit, and grace in a television world often dominated by high-stakes drama. Through her work, Sarah has shown that women in TV dramas can be both powerful and vulnerable, smart and emotional, funny and serious—qualities that made Donna Paulsen one of the most beloved characters in recent television history.
Her ability to transition from television to stage and film roles demonstrates her versatility as an actress. And while Suits will always be the highlight of her career, Sarah continues to build a legacy of lasting work, both on screen and in her personal life.
Conclusion
Sarah Rafferty journey from a theatre student to one of the most beloved actresses in American television is a testament to her talent, dedication, and versatility. Her portrayal of Donna Paulsen on Suits will remain a key part of television history, but her ongoing work in both television and film ensures that Sarah Rafferty’s career will continue to inspire audiences for years to come.
With a career built on craftsmanship, professional integrity, and personal grace, Sarah Rafferty’s future in the entertainment industry remains bright, and fans are sure to continue celebrating her contributions to the world of television and film.