Katie Cleary (born September 21, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American model, actress, philanthropist and filmmaker. She is best known to TV game show audiences as Briefcase Model #11 on the NBC TV game show Deal or No Deal and as a former contestant from season one on the UPN/CW reality series America's Next Top Model.
Born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, Katie is an only child who was raised by her mother. Her strength, confidence, and drive came from her mom's hard work, love, and determination, very much so, Katie says if it weren't for her mother's strength, she would never have had the ambition to move to LA and pursue her career in acting and modeling.
Ever since at a young age, Cleary dreamed of becoming an actress in Hollywood. After years of balancing high school and modeling in Chicago, she entered a Liberal Arts college in Wisconsin on a track scholarship. Katie graduated from Carthage University with a business and marketing degree while working as a model part-time.
In the summer of 2004 after graduating from college, Katie took a real estate position in Chicago. In the interim, she enrolled in acting classes and worked on four different movie sets while continuing to model. Katie wanted to learn as much as she could about the film industry before she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams.
Katie's first break into entertainment came in 2003 when she was one of 14 finalists chosen to compete on the UPN reality series America's Next Top Model, hosted by supermodel-turned-TV host Tyra Banks. Katie didn't last long on the program as she was the second girl eliminated from the competition as she returned to Wisconsin to finish her degree and earning enough money selling real estate to move to Los Angeles.
After making her much awaited arrival in Los Angeles and within in weeks, Katie landed her first official gig. She joined the ranks of the briefcase models on the NBC game show Deal or No Deal one of several newbies to join after the show was picked up as a series regular returning to the airwaves in February 2006. Katie held briefcase #11 as her permanent residence all the way up until the show's end in May 2009. In season five, she was replaced by Brittany McGowan.
Cleary has also landed guest starring roles on various TV shows which include CSI NY, Las Vegas, Entourage, Rules of Engagement and Working Class. She has also appeared in movies such as The Break Up, Lake House, Stripper Academy, Iron Man 2, Give me shelter, and Why on Earth.
Aside from all the TV, movie and modeling gigs, Katie also has a love and passion for animals. She is extremely passionate about rescuing animals and helped finding homes for hundreds of abused and unwanted animals. She volunteers at various animal rescue groups, one of which is Tippi Hedren's Sanctuary for exotic big cats, "Shambala," and the "Wild Life Waystation." Katie has been working with big cats for over eight years and one day hopes to open her own animal rescue and sanctuary. One of Katie's many accomplishments was gathering ten humane organizations in Chicago and producing a fundraiser which raised money to help support animal rescue and abuse centers in Chicago. Katie produced the "Diamonds, Not Fur" Humanitarian Awards, a star-studded red carpet event where Betty White honored Madeline Bernstein, President of the SpcaLA with a Humanitarian Award in support of the West Hollywood "Fur Free" Movement. The Gala helped raised money for the SpcaLA and their animal welfare program to prevent cruelty, rescue, and care for animals in Los Angeles.
Katie was previously married to Andrew Stern of Millionaire Matchmaker fame. They were married for three years. Her husband committed suicide by gunshot at a shooting range in the San Fernando Valley at the age of 40.
Today, Katie is currently the Founder and Creator of “World Animal News,” which covers the latest breaking animal, environmental and plant-based news from around the world. She is also the President and Founder of the animal welfare organization, “Peace 4 Animals.” Both World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals are among the many ways Katie works to give a powerful voice to the most critical animal issues worldwide with a focus on saving endangered species, especially in Africa. She also produced and wrote the award-winning documentary, “Give Me Shelter,” that premiered on Netflix in 2015, and is currently finishing her second documentary, “We Are One,” which is filmed in Africa, Indonesia and the United States. “We Are One” follows the work of some of the most influential people throughout the world that are at the forefront of the animal welfare movement.
Her goal is to impact people around the world with her philanthropic work, creating positive change to protect the planet and its precious species, so that we can all live in peace together.
Cases[]
- Case 11 - Season 1~4