Challen Michelle Cates[1] (born September 28, 1967) is an American independent film producer and actress, best known for portraying the role as Jennifer Knight on the TV series, Big Time Rush.

[2][3][4] She has been the executive producer of two American independent films A Fare To Remember (1998) and The A-List (2001).

Since early 2000, Cates has also appeared in minor roles in several American television series, including Cybill, Roseanne, Diagnosis: Murder, 1-800-Missing, Monk, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, Desperate Housewives and others.

She had a recurring role in the Nickelodeon original series Big Time Rush.

Cates runs a wine company called Challen Winery, taking after her father.