Michelle Monaghan (born March 23, 1976) is an American actress, known for her roles in Mission: Impossible III, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor and Eagle Eye.

Monaghan was born in Winthrop, Iowa, the daughter of Sharon Monaghan (who ran a day care center in the family's home), and Bob Monaghan (a factory worker and part time farmer). She has two older brothers, Bob and John and her family frequently fostered and adopted children. She graduated from East Buchanan High School, Class of 1994, where she was class president and acted in several plays. After graduation, she moved to Chicago to study journalism at Columbia College Chicago. While studying, she began modeling in the United States and in Milan, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong, with one semester remaining in her journalism degree when she left for New York to pursue an acting career.

Monaghan's first notable, though minor parts were in episodes of Young Americans (in which she appeared twice), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, both in 2001. She made her big screen debut that year in the small role of "Henrietta" in the movie Perfume. This was followed by another small role in Unfaithful in 2002.