Kaitlin Doubleday

Actress Kaitlin Doubleday worked steadily, if anonymously, on television and in features like "Catch Me If You Can" (2002) until earning her star-making role as Rhonda Lyon on "Empire" (Fox, 2015- ). Born Jan Kaitlin Len Doubleday in Los Angeles, California on July 19, 1984, she came from an acting family: her father, Frank Doubleday, essayed menacing characters in "Escape from New York" (1981) and "Broadcast News" (1987), while her mother, Christina Hart, appeared as Patricia Krenwinkel in "Helter Skelter" (CBS, 1976) and her younger sister, Portia, co-starred on "Mr. Robot" (USA Network, 2015- ). Doubleday began appearing in features and on television while still in high school, including minor roles in Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can" and the cult comedy "Waiting " (2005). Though her first stint as a series regular was somewhat ignominious - the sitcom "Caveman" (ABC, 2007-2008), which spun off from the popular commercials about Neanderthals in modern times - Doubleday was soon appearing regular in guest roles on major series like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 2000-2015) and "Bones" (Fox, 2005- ). After a decade of steady work, Doubleday landed her breakout role as Rhonda Lyon on "Empire." The long-suffering spouse of aspiring music mogul Andre Lyon (Trai Byers), Rhonda was dismissed as a trophy wife by Lyon's Machiavellian family, but proved to be not only her husband's staunchest supporter, but as cold-blooded as the rest of the Lyons, most notably when she murdered Andre's uncle, Vernon Turner (Malik Yoba), in self-defense.