Clare Mairéad Cooney is an actor and filmmaker. Originally from Detroit, Clare attended the University of Notre Dame and spent a year abroad at Trinity College, Dublin. Clare graduated with honors in Psychology and Film, Television & Theater and went on to Chicago to attend the prestigious School at Steppenwolf. Clare served as writer, director, editor, producer, and lead actor in her award-winning short film "Runner," which played at 15 film festivals, winning 6 awards, and garnering Cooney a "Filmmaker to Watch" nomination from the Academy-Qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. She is also the director, writer, editor, producer, and lead actress in the pandemic-era romantic drama "Pick Up." Other directing work includes "Dad Man Walking" and "Go Ahead, Grab Time by the Throat." Clare made Newcity Magazine's Film 50 list in 2020 and 2019 for being "one of 50 individuals who shape Chicago's film scene." As an actor she is known for NBC's "Chicago PD", Pop TV's "Hot Date", Steve McQueen's "Widows."