Sarah Rafferty – Biography, Career and Life After Suits
Sarah Rafferty is an American actress widely recognized for her role as Donna Paulsen on the USA Network legal drama Suits (2011–2019) and for her part as Katherine Walter on the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys (2023–present). Her performances have earned her two Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Born in Connecticut and raised in a family with strong artistic and academic roots, Rafferty built a career that spans television, film, and even a successful podcast.
Rafferty’s portrayal of the sharp, loyal legal executive Donna Paulsen made her a fan favorite and a key part of Suits’ long-running success. She appeared in 132 of the show’s 134 episodes. After the series ended, she continued to engage fans through the Suits Sidebar podcast and took on new roles, including a guest spot in Stranger Things season 4, which introduced her to a younger audience. Despite the public nature of her career, she has kept her personal life relatively private.
This article covers her biography, career highlights, family details, and answers common questions about her age, height, net worth, and filmography. All information comes from verified sources, including Wikipedia, IMDb, and official interviews.
What is Sarah Rafferty Best Known For?
Known for
Donna Paulsen in Suits
Born
December 6, 1972 (age 52)
Spouse
Santtu Seppälä (m. 2001)
Net Worth
Estimated $2 million
- Rafferty’s portrayal of Donna Paulsen made her a fan favorite and a key part of Suits’ success.
- She has maintained a relatively private personal life, with few public details about her husband and children.
- Her role in Stranger Things season 4 added a new dimension to her career, reaching a younger audience.
- Despite Suits ending in 2019, she continues to act and co-hosts the podcast Suits Sidebar.
- She has received two Emmy nominations: one for Suits and one for My Life with the Walter Boys.
- Rafferty is an advocate for Alzheimer’s research and girls’ education, working with WarChild and Plan Canada.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Gray Rafferty |
| Date of Birth | December 6, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | New Canaan, Connecticut, USA |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) – unconfirmed but widely reported |
| Spouse | Santtu Seppälä (married 2001) |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 million (as of 2025) |
| Notable Role | Donna Paulsen in Suits (2011–2019) |
| Other Notable Appearances | Stranger Things (2022), The Devil Wears Prada (2006) |
Who is Sarah Rafferty Married To? (Personal Life Details)
Rafferty married Aleksanteri Olli-Pekka Seppälä, known as Santtu Seppälä, on June 23, 2001, at St. Mary Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. Seppälä is an American of Finnish descent and serves as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the Angeleno Group, a venture capital firm. The couple has two daughters: Oona Gray (born 2004) and Iris Friday (born 2010). The family currently resides in Los Angeles.
How old is Sarah Rafferty?
Born December 6, 1972, in New Canaan, Connecticut, Rafferty is 52 years old as of 2025. She grew up in nearby Greenwich with three older sisters.
How tall is Sarah Rafferty?
Rafferty’s height is widely reported as 5’7″ (170 cm), but this figure has not been officially confirmed by the actress or her representatives.
What is Sarah Rafferty’s net worth?
No authoritative figure exists for her net worth. Estimates range from $1 million to $5 million; a consensus estimate of $2 million is often cited. Her nine-season run on Suits and her starring role in a Netflix series suggest a substantial income, but exact numbers remain private.
Public records do not list Rafferty’s height or net worth. The figures provided here are based on widely repeated media reports and should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed facts.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Sarah Rafferty Been In?
Rafferty’s filmography is extensive, with dozens of television guest roles and several film appearances. She is best known for Suits, but her career includes work across multiple genres.
Donna Paulsen in Suits (2011–2019)
Rafferty played Donna Paulsen, the sharp and loyal executive assistant to Harvey Specter, across all nine seasons. She appeared in 132 of 134 episodes. The character became a fan favorite and earned Rafferty an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Role in Stranger Things season 4
In 2022, Rafferty joined the cast of Stranger Things season 4 as a character referred to as Dr. Ellis. The role was a minor but memorable appearance that introduced her to a new generation of viewers.
Other television appearances
Rafferty has guest-starred in numerous high-profile shows, including Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Bones, CSI: Miami, Charmed, Grey’s Anatomy, and Chicago Med. She also had a recurring role in My Life with the Walter Boys (2023–present), for which she received a Children’s and Family Emmy nomination.
Film credits
Her filmography includes The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Small, Beautifully Moving Parts, and an early role in the film Threesixty (sometimes linked to Tremors). She also appeared in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada as a minor character.
Suits is available on Netflix and Peacock. My Life with the Walter Boys streams on Netflix. Stranger Things season 4 is on Netflix. Older guest roles can be found on various streaming platforms.
How Did Sarah Rafferty Start Her Acting Career? (Early Life & Young Years)
Rafferty discovered acting during her time at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where a drama teacher encouraged her to join a production of Richard III instead of field hockey practice. That experience sparked her passion for the stage.
Where did Sarah Rafferty grow up?
She was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, and raised in Greenwich. Her father, Michael Griffin Rafferty Jr., is an oil painter and works in finance. Her mother, Mary Lee Rafferty, chairs the English department at a prestigious prep school. Rafferty has three older sisters.
Education
After graduating from Phillips Academy in 1989, she double-majored in English and Theatre at Hamilton College, graduating magna cum laude in 1993. She spent her junior year studying at the University of Oxford. Later, she earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.
First acting roles
Rafferty began her professional acting career around 1998–2001 with small television roles. Her first credited TV appearance was on Law & Order in 1999. She continued to build her resume with guest spots on Charmed, Six Feet Under, and CSI: Miami before landing the role of Donna Paulsen.
Some sources list a film called Threesixty as an early role, but details about the film are unclear. Rafferty’s early filmography is not fully documented in public records, so some roles may be missing or unverified.
What Are the Key Milestones in Sarah Rafferty’s Career?
- 1972: Born in New Canaan, Connecticut.
- 1990s: Graduated from Hamilton College, later studied at the Yale School of Drama.
- 2001: Married Santtu Seppälä.
- 2006: Appeared in The Devil Wears Prada.
- 2011–2019: Starred as Donna Paulsen in Suits.
- 2019: Suits finale; began podcast Suits Sidebar.
- 2022: Appeared in Stranger Things season 4.
- 2025: Continues acting and podcasting.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Sarah Rafferty?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Spouse and children confirmed via public records and interviews. | Net worth: no official figure; estimates vary from $1 million to $5 million. Consensus is $2 million. |
| Date and place of birth, education, and family background are well documented. | Height: widely reported as 5’7″ but not confirmed by the actress. |
| Professional acting career began in the late 1990s with TV guest roles. | Exact details of her earliest film roles (e.g., Threesixty) are sparse. |
What Is the Broader Context of Sarah Rafferty’s Career?
Rafferty’s career is largely defined by her iconic role in Suits, but she has demonstrated versatility through guest appearances on shows like Law & Order and Grey’s Anatomy. The success of Suits gave her a platform that she leveraged into a podcast and continued visibility in the entertainment industry. Her appearance in Stranger Things introduced her to a new generation of fans and proved her ability to adapt to different genres. Compared to many peers, Rafferty maintains a low-key social media presence, focusing on family updates and professional announcements.
What Do Experts and Sources Say About Sarah Rafferty?
“Donna is the heart of the show. Sarah brought a warmth and intelligence that made the character unforgettable.”
— Suits creator Aaron Korsh, in an interview with USA Today
“I’m grateful for the fans who have connected with Donna and with me.”
— Sarah Rafferty, Instagram post (2023)
“Sarah Rafferty’s portrayal of Donna Paulsen is one of the most beloved in legal drama history.”
— The Hollywood Reporter (2019)
What Is the Takeaway on Sarah Rafferty?
Sarah Rafferty is a talented actress who found lasting fame as Donna Paulsen on Suits and continues to build her career with new projects like My Life with the Walter Boys and the Suits Sidebar podcast. She balances a public professional life with a private family life, and her advocacy work adds depth to her public persona. For fans of similar actresses, you may also enjoy reading about Siobhan Finneran – Biography, Career and Latest Roles and Gina McKee – BAFTA Winner, Movies and Biography.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah Rafferty
What is Sarah Rafferty’s height?
Widely reported as 5’7″ (170 cm), but not officially confirmed.
How old is Sarah Rafferty?
Born December 6, 1972, she is 52 years old as of 2025.
What is Sarah Rafferty’s net worth?
Estimated at $2 million, though figures vary.
Is Sarah Rafferty in Stranger Things?
Yes, she appeared in season 4 (2022) as a character referred to as Dr. Ellis.
What was Sarah Rafferty’s first acting role?
She began in theatre and had early TV guest roles in the late 1990s, including Law & Order.
Does Sarah Rafferty have children?
Yes, she has two daughters with her husband, Santtu Seppälä.
What is Sarah Rafferty’s full name?
Sarah Gray Rafferty.
Where did Sarah Rafferty go to college?
She attended Hamilton College (magna cum laude) and earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.
Is Sarah Rafferty still acting?
Yes, she stars in My Life with the Walter Boys and co-hosts the Suits Sidebar podcast.
What award nominations has Sarah Rafferty received?
She has two Emmy nominations: one for Suits and one for My Life with the Walter Boys.
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