Carrie Preston (born June 21, 1967 ) is an American actress on both stage and screen. She has also done producing, directing, and editing work in the business. Preston is a native of Macon, Georgia. Preston obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Evansville and then went on to graduate from the prestigious school of performing arts, The Juilliard School.

Her husband is actor Michael Emerson who plays Benjamin Linus on television's Lost. Emerson and Preston were both featured in the 2004 comedy Straight-Jacket.