Born in England, UK. She became a star overnight following the international success of the Mike Leigh's social drama SECRETS & LIES (1996), becoming the first black British actress ever nominated for an Academy Award. Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and performed at the Royal National Theatre. She had previously collaborated with Leigh on stage (It's a Great Big Shame - 1993), and -- also being a songwriter/composer and having recorded an album of blues songs -- she composed the musical score for his 1997 film CAREER GIRLS. Claiming racism, she was excluded from the actor group promoting British talent at the Cannes Film Festival. She once said: "The old men running the industry just have not got a clue... Britain is no longer totally a white place where people ride horses, wear long frocks and drink tea. The national dish is no longer fish and chips; it's curry." Other notable screen credits include ONCE UPON A TIME and LONDON KILLS ME (both 1991), MR. JEALOUSY (1997), HOW TO MAKE THE CRUELEST MONTH and NOWHERE TO GO (both 1998), THE 24 HOUR WOMAN and A MURDER OF CROWS (to Video) (both 1999), 28 DAYS and THE CELL (both 2000), WOMEN IN FILM, NEW YEAR'S DAY and SPY GAME (2001), DON'T EXPLAIN (2002), WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA (2005), JAM (2006), and CITY OF EMBER (scheduled for release in 2008). Since 2002, Jean-Baptiste has played agent Vivian Johnson on the popular CBS TV series "Without a Trace". Maried to ballet dancer Evan Williams.  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1996: SECRETS & LIES 1 nomination