Erika Christensen

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Erika Christensen
Erika Christensen Paleyfest 2013.jpg
Erika Christensen at the Paleyfest 2013
Born Erika Jane Christensen
(1982-08-19) August 19, 1982 (age 30)
Seattle, Washington, United States
Website
www.erikachristensen.com

Erika Jane Christensen (born August 19, 1982) is an American actress whose film appearances include Traffic (2000), Swimfan (2002), The Perfect Score (2004) and How to Rob a Bank (2007), among others. She also co-starred in the short-lived drama Six Degrees (September 2006 – March 2007) on ABC. She is currently co-starring in the 2010 television series Parenthood as Julia Braverman-Graham.

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Personal life [edit]

Christensen was born in Seattle, Washington, the daughter of Kathy, a construction manager, and Steven, an insurance worker/human-resources executive.[1] She has an older half-brother, Nick, and two younger twin brothers, Dane (who appeared in the 2005 film The Upside of Anger) and Brando. She has Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Welsh, and Irish ancestry.[2] Christensen was raised in Los Angeles, California and started out on television in commercials for McDonald's.[3]

Christensen is a member of the Church of Scientology.[4] Her parents became Scientologists in their 20s and raised her to be a Scientologist as well as home-schooling her.[2]

Career [edit]

Christensen had several small roles in various television programs before starting her movie career in 1997. These include The Geena Davis Show, Frasier, The Practice, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Touched by an Angel.[3][5]

She was named one of People magazine's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001". For her performance as a heroin addict in Traffic (2000) she received the awards for Female Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards,[3] Female Standout Performance at the Young Hollywood Awards, and Outstanding Performance by a Cast Ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.[3]

In 2005, she briefly went into music as she recorded a version of "Let's Fall in Love" with John Stevens for his debut album Red.[6][7]

In 2006, she starred in the series Six Degrees, which debuted on the ABC fall schedule in 2006 but low ratings caused its cancellation after one season.[8] She made a cameo in the Joaquin Phoenix -directed video "Tired of Being Sorry" for Balthazar Getty's band Ringside.[9] She is part of the cast of the film adaptation of Veronika Decides to Die (2009).[10] Christensen is also a regular in the new NBC TV series Parenthood, which debuted on March 2, 2010.[5][11]

Filmography [edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Leave It to Beaver Karen Comedy film
1997 Nothing Sacred Romy Carrol Episode: "House of Rage"
1998 Practice, TheThe Practice Melissa Episode: "The Pursuit of Dignity"
1998 Frasier Teenager Episode: "Frasier's Curse"
1998 3rd Rock from the Sun Brianna Episode: "Collect Call for Dick"
1999 Can of Worms Katelyn Sands TV movie
1999 Thanks Abigail Winthrop 6 episodes
1999 Touched by an Angel Ivy Episode: "Voice of an Angel"
2000 Time of Your Life Flynn Halloway Episode: "The Time She Turned 21"
2000 Movie Stars Tawny Episode: "La Vida Loca"
2000 Pretender, TheThe Pretender Leigh Wright Episode: "Corn Man"
2000 FreakyLinks Cassie Episode: "Subject: Coelacanth This!"
2000 Traffic Caroline Wakefield American crime drama film
2001 Geena Davis Show, TheThe Geena Davis Show Isabel 3 episodes
2001 That '70s Show Stacey Episode: "Red and Stacey"
2002 Home Room Deanna Cartwright Independent film
2002 Swimfan Madison Bell Erotic thriller film
2002 Banger Sisters, TheThe Banger Sisters Hannah Kingsley American comedy film
2003 Wuthering Heights Cate TV movie
2004 Perfect Score, TheThe Perfect Score Anna Ross American teen heist film
2004 Riding the Bullet Jessica Hadley Horror/thriller film
2005 Upside of Anger, TheThe Upside of Anger Andrea 'Andy' Wolfmeyer American romantic comedy-drama film
2005 Sisters, TheThe Sisters Irene Prior Drama film
2005 Flightplan Fiona Thriller film
2005 Robot Chicken Crack-Ho / Debbie Benton / Mom (voice) Episode: "Toyz in the Hood"
Episode: "A Piece of the Action"
2006-2007 Six Degrees Mary Alice 'Mae' Edwards 13 episodes
2007 I'm in Hell Jennifer TV movie
2007 Gardener of Eden Mona Huxley American comedy-drama film
2007 How to Rob a Bank Jessica American independent film
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit FBI Special Agent Lauren Cooper Episode: "Signature"
2008 Struck Bus Stop Girl Short film
2009 Veronika Decides to Die Claire Drama film adapted from the novel by Paulo Coelho
2009 Lie to Me Sophie / Trisha / Jessie / RJ Episode: "The Core of It"
2009 Mercy Dana Harper McPhearson Episode: "Destiny, Meet My Daughter, Veronica"
2009 Robot Chicken Della Dingham Young / Mother (voice) Episode: "Dear Consumer"
2010 Melon Catherine Video short
2010 Tortured, TheThe Tortured Elise Landry Mystery horror-thriller film
2010–present Parenthood Julia Braverman-Graham TV series

References [edit]

  1. ^ Palmer, Alan (2002-09-20). "Profile: Erika's fatal at traction; SWIMFAN HAS TAKEN ERIKA CHRISTENSEN INTO THE MAJOR LEAGUE". The Mirror. Retrieved 2007-12-09. 
  2. ^ a b Erika Christensen interview – Public Servant Lifestyle
  3. ^ a b c d "Christensen rises up from McDonald's ad". Retrieved 4 July 2010. 
  4. ^ Erika Christensen Praises Scientology
  5. ^ a b Erika Christensen at the Internet Movie Database
  6. ^ "Music Review: John Stevens, "Red"". Retrieved 4 July 2010. 
  7. ^ "Former idol croons on ‘Red’". Retrieved 4 July 2010. 
  8. ^ Heffernan, Virginia (21 September 2006). "Serendipitous Connections in the City of Separate Lives". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2010. 
  9. ^ "Joaquin Phoenix Lifts Ringside Clip From Pretender To Contender". Retrieved 4 July 2010. 
  10. ^ Fleming, Michael (16 May 2008). "Das Films teams for adaptation". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2008. 
  11. ^ "'Parenthood' premiere leaves room for growth". Retrieved 4 July 2010. 

External links [edit]