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Mika Boorem

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Mika Boorem
Boorem at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
Born (1987-08-18) August 18, 1987 (age 37)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • filmmaker
Years active1995–present
Websitemikaboorem.com

Mika Sue Boorem (/ˈmiːkə ˈbʊərəm/;[a] born August 18, 1987)[2] is an American actress and filmmaker. She began her career as a child actress, appearing on television in small guest roles on Touched by an Angel and Ally McBeal, before earning critical acclaim for her performance in The Education of Little Tree (1997). After being cast in supporting roles in Jack Frost and Mighty Joe Young (both 1998), Boorem had a lead role in the drama Hearts in Atlantis (2001), opposite Anton Yelchin and Anthony Hopkins, which garnered her further critical acclaim.

Boorem also had prominent supporting roles in the war drama The Patriot (2000) and the thriller Along Came a Spider (2001). She went on to star in numerous teen films in the early-to-mid 2000s, including the surf film Blue Crush (2002), the comedy Sleepover (2004), and the drama Augusta, Gone (2006). Boorem was a recurring guest star on the network series Dawson's Creek in 2002 and 2003. She had a central role in John Carpenter's horror film The Ward (2010), followed by roles in several independent films.

Boorem made her feature film directorial debut with Hollywood.Con (2021), starring Tom Arnold and Brian Krause.

Life and career

Early life

Boorem was born on August 18, 1987, at Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, to Holly (née Thomas) and Benjamin Boorem.[3] She has one older brother, Benjamin Jr.[3] Her father is a gemologist.[1] She began acting in local theater in Arizona, and subsequently moved to Los Angeles with her family, where she attended Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, a French-English bilingual school.[3]

Work as a child actress

After appearing as herself in the direct-to-video of Disney Sing-Along Songs called Beach Party at Walt Disney World in 1995, Boorem had her first televised role in 1996 as a guest on the series Touched by an Angel.[3] That was followed by a supporting part in The Education of Little Tree (1997), based on the controversial memoir of the same name by Forrest Carter. David Noh of Film Journal International deemed her performance as a young friend of the titular Cherokee character "delightful."[4] For her performance, she was nominated for a Young Artist Award.[5] The same year, Boorem had a guest role playing the young Ally McBeal in the 1997 pilot episode.[6] She also had a supporting role in A Walton Easter, a television film spin-off from The Waltons, which aired in the spring of 1997.[7] She subsequently had a supporting role in the Christmas film Jack Frost (1998) starring Michael Keaton,[3] for which she was nominated for a YoungStar Award for Best Actress in a Drama Film.[8]

She then had a part in Disney's live-action film Mighty Joe Young (1998), playing the young counterpart of Charlize Theron's character.[3] She appeared on television again as a main cast member of the comedy series The Tom Show, which aired for one season between 1997 and 1998; in the series, she portrayed the daughter of a television producer, played by Tom Arnold.[9] In late 1999, Boorem had a supporting role in the ensemble drama Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her, opposite Glenn Close and Cameron Diaz.[10]

Also in 2000, Boorem had a central role in the Revolutionary War historical drama The Patriot (2000), playing the daughter of a soldier (portrayed by Mel Gibson).[3] For her performance, she was nominated for her third Young Artist Award as part of an ensemble cast.[5] She subsequently appeared opposite Morgan Freeman and Anton Yelchin in the thriller Along Came a Spider (2001), playing the kidnapped daughter of a United States Senator.[11] The following year, she was again cast opposite Yelchin with a lead in the drama Hearts in Atlantis (2001), playing a young girl who has mysterious interactions with an elderly man (played by Anthony Hopkins) in her community.[3] A supporting role in Penny Marshall's period drama Riding in Cars with Boys (2001) followed,[3] and a part as the younger sister of Kate Bosworth in the surf film Blue Crush (2002). In 2003, she had a supporting role opposite Julia Stiles and Shirley MacLaine in the romantic comedy Carolina.[12] Between 2002 and 2003, Boorem had a recurring guest role on the sixth season of the series Dawson's Creek, portraying Harley Hetson.[13] For her role, she earned a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Sidekick.[14]

Transition to teen and adult roles

In 2004, Boorem starred opposite Alexa Vega in the teen comedy Sleepover, followed by a supporting part in the dance film Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004).[12] In the independent drama Smile (2005), Boorem portrayed a teenager from Malibu who befriends a young Chinese woman with a facial deformity, played by Yi Ding.[15] Critic Justin Chang of Variety deemed the film a "well-meaning but dramatically lopsided tearjerker."[15]

The following year, Boorem starred as the lead in The Initiation of Sarah, an ABC Family television film and remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name,[16] as well as in the television drama film Augusta, Gone, in which she portrayed a teenaged drug addict. Tom Jicha of the Sun-Sentinel praised her performance in the film, writing: "... the meatiest role belongs to Mika Boorem. The relative unknown plays Augusta Dudman, a 14-year-old with typical teenage insecurities and self-esteem problems. This makes her willing prey for a more advanced child of the streets named Rain, who introduces Augusta to the temptations of drugs and sex. Boorem handles the role as if she's in it for more than a paycheck, which cannot be said of all her co-stars."[17] In 2007, she had a guest-starring role on the medical drama series House, appearing in the episode "Insensitive" as a teenager suffering from CIPA, a condition that prevents her from sensing pain.[18]

She guest-starred on the series Ghost Whisperer in 2008, appearing in the episode "Bloodline,"[12] and the same year had a minor role in the drama Trucker.[12] Boorem was also featured in David Cook's music video "Light On" in 2008. In 2010, she had a supporting part as the ghost of a psychiatric patient in John Carpenter's psychological horror film The Ward, opposite Amber Heard and Danielle Panabaker.[19] The Hollywood Reporter's Michael Rechtshaffen, in reviewing the film, noted it as "an economical period piece that still effectively demonstrates what a skilled technician can accomplish in a single location with a compact cast and sturdy old-school effects."[19]

Directing and other projects

In 2012, Boorem appeared opposite Kelly Lynch in the Armand Mastroianni thriller Dark Desire.[20] Boorem was also cast in the 2013 short film Awake, which was subsequently included in the 2016 horror anthology Minutes Past Midnight.[21]

In 2015, Boorem directed the short film Love Thy Neighbor, which earned her a Best Director award at the Hang Onto Your Shorts film festival in New Jersey.[22] She made her feature film directorial debut with Hollywood.Con (2021), an action-adventure comedy set in Guatemala and starring Tom Arnold, Paige Howard, Devin Ratray, Brian Krause and Cody Kasch, as well as Boorem herself.[23][b]

Hollywood.Con was co-written and produced by Boorem's father, Benjamin Boorem, and its premise was partly inspired by a trip the two had taken to buy jade.[25] In April 2019, Boorem visited Arkansas Arts Academy to present a workshop on the film industry, and students from the academy served as videographers for the premiere screening of Hollywood.Con on May 4, 2019, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.[26][27]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role(s) Notes
1995 Disney Sing-Along Songs: Beach Party at Walt Disney World Herself Direct-to-video film
1997 The Education of Little Tree Little Girl
1998 Mighty Joe Young Young Jill Young
1998 Jack Frost Natalie
1999 Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her June
2000 The Patriot Margaret Martin
2001 Along Came a Spider Megan Rose
2001 Hearts in Atlantis Carol Gerber / Molly
2001 Riding in Cars with Boys Young Beverly Donofrio
2002 Blue Crush Penny Chadwick
2003 Carolina Maine Mirabeau
2004 Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Susie Miller
2004 Sleepover Hannah Carlson
2005 Smile Katie
2006 Whisper of the Heart Kinuyo Voice role (English dub of 1995 film)
2008 Trucker Young Woman
2009 The 2 Bobs Skull Muncher
2010 The Ward Alice Hudson
2011 Good Day for It Emily
2012 1 Out of 7 Krisi
2012 Virgin Alexander Brooke
2013 Out to Lunch Madison Short film
2015 Love Thy Neighbor Director, short film
2016 Minutes Past Midnight Caylie Segment: "Awake"
2021 Hollywood.Con Mika Harms Also director and co-writer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Burning Zone Little Girl Episode: Pilot
1996, 1998–2003 Touched by an Angel Melissa Houghton / Cornelia "Celine" 4 episodes
1997 The Drew Carey Show Sarah Episode: "Drew Gets Married"
1997 A Walton Easter Carla Television film
1997 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Young Zelda Spellman Episode: "The Great Mistake"
1997 Ally McBeal Young Ally McBeal Episode: Pilot
1997–1998 The Tom Show Elissa Amross Main role
1998 Walker, Texas Ranger Jennifer McGuire Episode: "Second Chance"
1999 Providence Zoe Episode: "Home Again"
1999 A Memory in My Heart Lily Stewart Television film
2002–2003 Dawson's Creek Harley Hetson Recurring role, 6 episodes
2006 Augusta, Gone Augusta Dudman Television film
2006 The Initiation of Sarah Sarah Goodwin Television film
2007 House Hannah Morganthal Episode: "Insensitive"
2007 Jesse Stone: Sea Change Cathleen Holton Television film
2008 Ghost Whisperer Olivia Keller Episode: "Bloodline"
2012 Dark Desire Erin Television film

Music videos

Year Title Artist Notes
2008 "Light On" David Cook
2017 "Tiny Dancer" Elton John
2017 "All American Girl" Heidi Jo Guthrie Director
2020 "Catch Me If You Can" Travis Tidwell Director
2021 "Cruise'" Austin Sands Director

Accolades

Year Award Category Work Outcome Ref.
2014 Hang Onto Your Shorts Festival Best Actress in a Comedy Short Film Out to Lunch Nominated [22]
2015 Best Director in a Short Film Love Thy Neighbor Won [22]
2003 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Sidekick Dawson's Creek Nominated [28]
1997 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Feature Film (Actress Ten or Under) The Education of Little Tree Nominated [29]
1997 Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series: Guest Starring Young Actress The Drew Carey Show Nominated [29]
2000 Best Ensemble in a Feature Film The Patriot Nominated [30]
2001 Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress Hearts in Atlantis Nominated [31]
2004 Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Ensemble Cast Sleepover Nominated [32]
1999 YoungStar Award Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama Film Jack Frost Nominated [8]

Notes

  1. ^ Boorem pronounces her name as such when introducing herself in a 2018 discussion of her upcoming film, Hollywood.Con.[1]
  2. ^ Former In Her Sight editor Cara Hutto writes: "Mika Boorem is a veteran actress with over 40 major motion picture and television credits. Her directorial feature length film debut Hollywood.Con was released in 2021."[24]

References

  1. ^ a b Boorem, Mika (August 26, 2018). "Mika Boorem on Hollywood.Con". YouTube. Retrieved November 21, 2018.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Mika Boorem". Tucson.com. Arizona Daily Star. January 9, 2015. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Villarreal, Phil (September 28, 2001). "Tucson-Born Stars in the Making". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Noh, David (November 2, 2004). "The Education of Little Tree". Film Journal International. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Buchanan, Jason. "Mika Boorem Biography". AllMovie. AllRovi. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  6. ^ Variety Staff (November 2, 2000). "Mika Boorem". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  7. ^ Scott, Tony (March 25, 1997). "A Walton Easter". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Crump, William D. (August 28, 2013). The Christmas Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-476-60573-9.
  9. ^ Richmond, Ray (September 14, 1997). "The Tom Show". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking at Her". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. January 22, 2000. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Along Came A Spider". TV Guide. NTVB Media. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d "Mika Boorem Credits". TV Guide. NTVB Media. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  13. ^ Ross, Robyn (March 29, 2018). "Celebs you forgot were on Dawson's Creek". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Maltin, Leonard. "Mika Boorem". Turner Classic Movies. Leonard Maltin Classic Movie Guide. Turner Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Chang, Justin (April 7, 2005). "Smile". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018.
  16. ^ "The Initiation of Sarah". TV Guide. NTVB Media. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  17. ^ Jicha, Tom (March 13, 2006). "Real Tragedy in Bootcamp Beclouds Film". Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  18. ^ Challen, Paul (2010). The House That Hugh Laurie Built: An Unauthorized Biography and Episode Guide. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-554-90308-5.
  19. ^ a b Rechtshaffen, Michael (October 14, 2010). "The Ward: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018.
  20. ^ Radio Times Staff. "Dark Desire". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "Minutes Past Midnight: Credits". Moviefone. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  22. ^ a b c "Past Winners and Nominees". Hang Onto Your Shorts Festival. New Jersey. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (August 31, 2018). "Tom Arnold, Paige Howard to Star in Indie Comedy 'Hollywood.Con'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Hutto, Cara (December 17, 2019). "How to Get Professional Headshots". In Her Sight. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  25. ^ Trupp, Julia (May 1, 2019). "Hollywood-based dynamic duo to debut film in Eureka Springs". The Idle Class. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Jones, Aaron (April 16, 2019). "American Actress and Director Mika Boorem Visits Arkansas Arts Academy". Arkansas Arts Academy. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  27. ^ Jones, Aaron (May 6, 2019). "AAA High School Students Cover Hollywood Premiere". Arkansas Arts Academy. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  28. ^ Billboard Staff (June 18, 2003). "2003 Teen Choice Awards Nominees". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Media Group. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Mika Boorem Biography". Showtimes.com. AMC Theatres. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  30. ^ "22nd Annual Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on August 14, 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  31. ^ "23rd Annual Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on June 9, 2002. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  32. ^ "26th Annual Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on December 21, 2005. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
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