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Allison Mack

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This article is about the American actress. For the British actress, see Alison Mac.

Allison Mack
Mack in February 2018
Born
Allison Christin Mack

(1982-07-29) July 29, 1982 (age 42)
Preetz, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress
Years active1989–2018
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​

Allison Christin Mack (born July 29, 1982) is an American actress. She portrayed Chloe Sullivan on the WB/CW superhero series Smallville (2001–2011), where she appeared in all 10 seasons. Mack was also featured in a recurring role on the FX comedy series Wilfred (2012; 2014).

After the conclusion of Smallville, Mack joined NXIVM, a sex cult posing as a multi-level marketing company. When the true intent of the cult was uncovered, she was arrested in 2018 on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy. She pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2021.[1]

Early life

Allison Mack was born on July 29, 1982 in Preetz, West Germany,[2][3][4] to Jonathan Mack, an opera singer, and Mindy Mack, a schoolteacher and bookkeeper.[3][4] Her American parents were in Germany at the time of her birth because Jonathan was performing there; they lived in Germany for two years before moving to California.[5]

Career

Early work

Mack's first job was for a German chocolate company in a series of print ads and commercials. Mack recalled that her "very first job was a commercial for German chocolate and it was all in German. . . I wasn't allowed to swallow the chocolate. I would take a bite and then at the end of every take I'd have to spit it out. That was very frustrating, especially for a kid."[5] She went into modeling for a short period,[6] and studied at the Young Actors Space in Los Angeles at age seven.[2]

Mack's first major television role was an episode of the WB series 7th Heaven, in which she gained attention playing a teenager who cut herself. In 2000, she co-starred in the short-lived series Opposite Sex. Her film credits include roles in Eric Stoltz's directorial debut My Horrible Year! as a girl having great difficulties in her life as she turns 16. She was also featured in Camp Nowhere and in the Disney film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.

Smallville (2001–2011)

Mack at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con

In October 2001, Mack began starring as Chloe Sullivan, one of Clark Kent's best friends, in the WB/CW hit series Smallville; Chloe, an original character created for the show, was eventually introduced into DC Comics in 2010. Mack earned several awards and nominations for her portrayal of Chloe, including the Teen Choice Award for Best Sidekick in 2006[7] and 2007.[8] She appeared as a series regular for nine seasons, and returned as an intermittent main cast member in the tenth season, including the two-part series finale. From 2003 to 2004, Mack's character appeared in her own miniseries, Smallville: Chloe Chronicles, and in 2006, Smallville: Vengeance Chronicles. In November 2008, Mack made her directorial debut in Smallville season 8 episode 13 titled "Power",[9] which aired January 29, 2009.

In 2002 she made a couple of appearances along with her Smallville castmate Sam Jones III in R. L. Stine's miniseries The Nightmare Room. In 2006, Mack voiced the sister of the main character in the Warner Bros. CG-animated movie The Ant Bully. That same year, she voiced Clea, a museum curator, in an episode of The Batman. Adding to her Superman resume, she lent her voice for Power Girl in the Warner Premiere animated feature, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, in September 2009.[10] Since May 2009, Mack has been part of a project with the Iris Theatre Company.[11]

After Smallville

In March 2012, Mack was cast in a recurring role in the second season of the FX sitcom Wilfred. She played Amanda, the love interest of Elijah Wood's lead character Ryan. Mack returned to Wilfred for one episode of the fourth and final season.[12] In 2014, Mack guest-starred as a policewoman named Hilary in an episode of the Fox thriller The Following. On March 21, 2015, she tweeted that she would be appearing in American Odyssey as Julia, who befriends Suzanne, the daughter of Anna Friel's lead character Sgt. Odelle Ballard.[13]

Personal life

Mack had a long-term relationship with actor Chad Krowchuk during the 2000s.[14] Mack married actress Nicki Clyne in February 2017. The marriage was alleged to have been a sham to get around US immigration laws, and only became public a year later during legal proceedings on the conspiracy and racketeering charges as part of her involvement with NXIVM.[15][16][17] It was also alleged that Mack, along with another former high-ranking NXIVM member Lauren Salzman, were NXIVM founder Keith Raniere's sexual partners.[18]

It was reported in September 2020 that Mack had attended classes at UC Berkeley.[19] On December 11, 2020, Mack filed for divorce from Clyne.[20][21]

NXIVM and criminal prosecution

The indictment of Mack and other NXIVM members

In 2010, Mack was reported to have been recruited to the Vancouver chapter of the multi-level marketing organization NXIVM, along with her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk.[22] In a 2003 article from Forbes, advocates of NXIVM portrayed it as an organization focused on inspirational executive coaching, "like a practical MBA", while detractors accused the founder Keith Raniere of running "a cult-like program aimed at breaking down his subjects psychologically". [attribution needed][23] The group had a practice of branding their victims, a ritual created by Mack.[24]

Former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson stated in a 2017 New York Times exposé and a 2018 A&E special on cults that Mack recruited her into an enclave within NXIVM, "Dominus Obsequious Sororium" (DOS), and that she had been branded in an initiation ceremony at Mack's house, under Mack's supervision.[25][26] By one account, some women appeared to have been branded with Mack's initials (AM) and Raniere's initials (KR).[24]

Mack was arrested in Brooklyn by the FBI on April 20, 2018, on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labor conspiracy.[27][28] During her arraignment proceedings, prosecutors also accused her of entering a sham marriage with Nicki Clyne to help Clyne circumvent US immigration laws.[17][15][29][30] According to prosecutors, after she recruited women to join the organization, she used tactics such as blackmail to force them into engaging in sexual activity with Raniere against their wishes and enslaved them to do menial tasks, for which Raniere allegedly paid Mack. Mack is said to be second-in-command of NXIVM after Raniere.[31][32][33]

On April 24, 2018, Mack was released on a $5 million bond and held under house arrest under the custody of her parents in California.[34] She was charged with recruiting women into "DOS" or "The Vow", a sex cult propagated by NXIVM that presented itself as a women's self-help group.[35][36][37][38] If convicted of all charges, Mack and Raniere faced imprisonment for a minimum of 15 years.[39][40][41] In March 2019, it was revealed in court that Mack and the other defendants in the case were in "active plea negotiations" as Raniere appeared in court to plead not guilty to child pornography charges related to the case.[42] On April 8, 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and racketeering charges, and was scheduled for sentencing in September 2019.[43][44] The sentencing was postponed by the court to grant sufficient time to conduct pre-sentencing investigations.[18]

In 2019, Catherine Oxenberg produced the Lifetime television film Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter with actress Sara Fletcher as Mack.[45] On October 27, 2020, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison.[46]

Mack faced a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.[47] Days before the sentencing, Mack released a statement saying that her involvement was "the biggest mistake and regret of [her] life" and expressed remorse in regards of those affected. In addition to the letter, her attorneys asked for no jail time in consideration for Mack's remorse and her cooperation with Raniere's prosecution.[48] On June 30, 2021, Mack was sentenced to three years in federal prison and was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000.[49]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Little Girl
1993 Night Eyes 3 Natalie
1994 Camp Nowhere Heather
1995 No Dessert, Dad, till You Mow the Lawn Monica Cochran
1997 Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves Jenny Szalinski
2006 The Ant Bully Tiffany Nickle Voice only
2008 Alice & Huck Alice Short film
2009 You Quincey
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Power Girl Voice only
2010 Frog Her Short film
2010 Purgatory Woman Short film
2011 Marilyn Marilyn
2011 Blink Producer Short film
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1989 I Know My First Name Is Steven Nettie TV film
1990 Shangri-La Plaza Jenny Episode: "Pilot"
1990 Empty Nest Gloria Episode: "There's No Accounting"
1991 Switched at Birth Normia Twigg TV film
1991 Living a Lie Stella TV film
1992 The Perfect Bride Little Stephanie TV film
1992 A Private Matter Terri Finkbine TV film
1992 A Message from Holly Ida TV film
1993 Evening Shade Julia
Recurring role, 2 Episodes:
  • "The Diary of Molly Newton"
  • "The Dance"
1993 A Mother's Revenge Wendy Sanders TV film
1995 Dad, the Angel & Me Andrea TV film
1995 Sweet Justice Jessica Episode: "Broken Ties"
1996 Stolen Memories: Secrets from the Rose Garden Katie TV film
1996 The Care and Handling of Roses Bess Townsend TV film
1996 Unlikely Angel Sarah Bartilson TV film
1997 Hiller and Diller Brooke TV series
1998 7th Heaven Nicole Jacob Episode: "Cutters"
1999 Providence Alicia Episode: "Good Fellows"
2000 Opposite Sex Kate Jacobs Recurring role, 8 episodes
2001 Kate Brasher Georgia Episode: "Georgia"
2001 My Horrible Year! Nicola 'Nik' Faulkner TV film
2001–2011 Smallville Chloe Sullivan Series regular, 204 episodes
2002 The Nightmare Room Charlotte Scott
Recurring role

Episodes

  • "Camp Nowhere, Part 1"
  • "Camp Nowhere, Part 2"
2006 The Batman Clea
  • Episode: "The Everywhere Man"
  • Voice only
2012; 2014 Wilfred Amanda Recurring role
2015 The Following Hilary Guest Role
2015 American Odyssey Julia Guest Role
2017 Lost in Oz Evelyn Recurring Role, voice only (season 1)
Credit subsequently removed
Web series
Year Title Role Notes
2003–2004 Smallville: Chloe Chronicles Chloe Sullivan 8 episodes
2006 Smallville: Vengeance Chronicles Chloe Sullivan 6 episodes
2010 Riese Marlise 3 episodes
2010 Dirty Little Secret Lauren Belle Voice only
Director
Year Title Episodes Notes
2009–2010 Smallville
  • "Power"
  • "Warrior"
 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2002 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Nominated
2003 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Nominated
2004 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Nominated
2005 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress on Television Smallville Nominated
2005 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Nominated
2006 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Won[7]
2006 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress on Television Smallville Nominated
2007 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Won[8]
2008 SyFy Genre Award Best Supporting Actress Smallville Won[50]
2009 Teen Choice Award Best Sidekick in a TV Series Smallville Nominated

References

  1. ^ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/allison-mack-sentenced-3-years-prison-nxivm-sex-cult-165358008.html
  2. ^ a b "Allison Mack Biography". Fandango. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Allison Mack Biography (1982–)". Film Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Allison Mack Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Eramo, Steve. "Sci-Fi Blast From The Past – Allison Mack (Smallville)". SciFiAndTvTalk. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  6. ^ Nguyen, Tina (July 31, 1996). "Child Stars Commute to TV From O.C." LA Times. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "2006 Teen Choice Award Winners". Fox. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "2007 Teen Choice Award Winners". Fox. Archived from the original on November 19, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  9. ^ Transwell, Adam (September 2, 2009). "Allison Mack". Future Movies. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  10. ^ "Allison Mack". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  11. ^ "Iris Theatre Company". Archived from the original on May 14, 2010.
  12. ^ Kaiser, Rowan (July 16, 2014). "Wilfred: 'Forward'". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  13. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (March 23, 2015). "Smallville Alum Allison Mack Gets Pulled Into NBC's American Odyssey". TVLine.
  14. ^ Berman, Sarah (September 13, 2018). "How NXIVM Rippled Through Vancouver Actors' Friend Networks". Vice.com.
  15. ^ a b Harris, Chris (May 4, 2018) "Smallville's Allison Mack Married Battlestar Galactica's Nicki Clyne in 2017: Prosecutors". People.
  16. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (April 24, 2018). "Allison Mack joined alleged sex cult to fill 'a void in her life,' ex-NXIVM member says". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Lang, Nico (April 24, 2018). "'Smallville' Actress Arrested For Sex Trafficking Married Female Cult Leader, Court Documents Confirm". Into.
  18. ^ a b "Sentencing dates set for two NXIVM figures". Times Union. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  19. ^ Way, Katie (September 18, 2020). "Key NXIVM Leader Allison Mack is Reportedly Back in College". Vice. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  20. ^ Calvario, Liz (December 12, 2020). "Allison Mack Files for Divorce From Nicki Clyne". ET Online.
  21. ^ Pasquini, Maria (December 12, 2020). "Allison Mack Files for Divorce from Battlestar Galactica's Nicki Clyne: Report". People.com.
  22. ^ Köhler, Nicholas (September 13, 2010). "How to Lose $100 Million". Maclean's. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  23. ^ Freedman, Michael (October 13, 2003). "Cult of Personality". Forbes. New York. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Grigoriadis, Vanessa (May 30, 2018). "Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times.
  25. ^ Kranc, Lauren (October 27, 2020). "What Is NXIVM – The True Story of the Sex Cult That Seduced Hollywood Celebrities in HBO's The Vow". Esquire Magazine.
  26. ^ Meier, Barry (October 17, 2017). "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded". The New York Times.
  27. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (May 4, 2018). "Trial set for 'Smallville' actress Allison Mack, alleged sex cult leader Keith Raniere". Fox News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  28. ^ Siemaszko, Corky (May 4, 2018). "Self-help guru denies enslaving, branding women in Nxivm sex cult". NBC News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  29. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (April 24, 2018). "Allison Mack joined alleged sex cult to fill 'a void in her life,' ex-NXIVM member says". Fox News. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  30. ^ DeGregory, Priscilla (May 1, 2018). "Alleged victims ask judge to keep accused sex cult leader behind bars". The New York Post. New York City: News Corp.
  31. ^ "Founder of 'NXIVM', a Purported Self-Help Organization, and Actor Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor Conspiracy". United States Department of Justice. April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  32. ^ Long, Colleen; Hajela, Deepti (April 20, 2018). "Smallville Actress Arrested for Role in Alleged Sex Cult that Branded and Enslaved Women". Time. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  33. ^ Helmore, Edward (April 22, 2018). "Smallville's Allison Mack was allegedly a 'top member' of cult that abused women". The Guardian. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  34. ^ "Allison Mack of "Smallville" granted bail in sex cult case". CBS News. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  35. ^ Nevins, Jake (April 21, 2018). "Smallville actor Allison Mack pleads not guilty on sex cult charges". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  36. ^ "Co-founder of 'self-help' group arrested and charged with sex trafficking". The Guardian. March 26, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  37. ^ "Indictment – US Government vs Keith Rainier (also known as 'Vanguard') and Allison Mack". DocumentCloud.org. US District Court, New York. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  38. ^ Fernandez, Alexia (April 24, 2018). "Allison Mack Released from Jail Into Her Parents' Custody — But Will Remain Under House Arrest". People. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  39. ^ O'Reilly, Andrew (April 24, 2018). "'Smallville' actress Allison Mack out on bail, facing 15 years to life in prison". Fox News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  40. ^ Park, Andrea (April 21, 2018). "'Smallville' actress Allison Mack arrested for role in NXIVM sex cult". CBS News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  41. ^ Sun, Rebecca (May 16, 2018). "Her Darkest Role: Actress Allison Mack's Descent From 'Smallville' to Sex Cult". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  42. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (March 21, 2019). "Allison Mack is in 'active plea negotiations' to avoid trial for alleged involvement in NXIVM sex cult". Fox News. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  43. ^ Moynihan, Colin; Gold, Michael (April 8, 2019). "Allison Mack of 'Smallville' Pleads Guilty in Case of 'Sex Cult' Where Women Were Branded". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  44. ^ Moynihan, Colin; Palmer, Emily (June 19, 2019). "Nxivm Trial: Allison Mack Lured Woman Into Sex Cult, She Says". The New York Times.
  45. ^ Bennett, Anita (August 24, 2019). "Lifetime's Trailer For 'Escaping The NXIVM Cult' Shows Seduction And Anguish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  46. ^ Hong, Nicole; Piccoli, Sean (October 27, 2020). "Keith Raniere, Leader of Nxivm Sex Cult, Is Sentenced to 120 Years in Prison". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  47. ^ "Allison Mack's Sentencing for Involvement With NXIVM Cult Set for June". May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  48. ^ Beresford, Trilby (June 27, 2021). "Allison Mack Speaks Out Days Before Sentencing: "This Was the Biggest Mistake and Regret of My Life"". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  49. ^ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/allison-mack-sentenced-3-years-prison-nxivm-sex-cult-165358008.html
  50. ^ "'Supernatural' Takes Two SyFy Genre Awards". SyFy Portal. August 24, 2008. Archived from the original on August 25, 2008.
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