Ashlie Atkinson
Born
Ashley Elizabeth Atkinson

(1977-08-06) August 6, 1977 (age 46)
Little Rock, Arkansas U.S.
EducationHendrix College (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active2003–present
Spouse
Leon Chase
​
(m. 2015)​

Ashley Elizabeth "Ashlie" Atkinson[1] (born August 6, 1977) is an American character actress who works in movies and television (with over 100 credits) – as well as in theater.[2][3] Atkinson is known for her work as Mamie Fish on The Gilded Age, Amanda in And Just Like That, Connie in the Spike Lee film BlacKkKlansman,[4] and Janice in the fourth season of Mr. Robot.[5]

Early life and education

Atkinson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.[6] Her father was a doctor and her mother was a nurse.[2] Her family has lived in Arkansas for many generations.[7]

In 1995, Atkinson graduated from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.[4] Atkinson attended Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City for three semesters but in 1996, moved back to Arkansas and eventually transferred to Hendrix College, where she had previously attended a summer program through Arkansas Governor's School for drama.[2][3][8] In 2001, Atkinson graduated from Hendrix College with a degree in theater arts.[8][9]

In 2003, after moving back to New York City when she was 24, Atkinson graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.[10] While at the Neighborhood Playhouse, she studied the Meisner technique.[11]

Career

Film and television

While at the Neighborhood Playhouse School, director Jace Alexander saw Atkinson perform in a showcase there. This led to a 2004 guest starring appearance in the TV show Law & Order and a six-episode arc in the Denis Leary TV series, Rescue Me.[12]

Atkinson then starred in a breakout role as Helen, the sweet-faced, plus-size librarian in Neil LaBute's 2004 off-Broadway play Fat Pig.[13][14] The role garnered her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Debut,[15][16] as well as nominations for both a Lucille Lortel Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award.[17][18]

In 2007, Atkinson appeared in a Broadway revival of the Terrence McNally play, The Ritz.[19][20]

In 2011, Atkinson hit the three guest star appearance in the Law & Order franchise, following her 2005 debut on the original Law & Order with a 2007 appearance on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and then in 2011 both Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In 2012, Atkinson guest starred on the TV series Boardwalk Empire as Gyp's wife, Gianconda Rosetti. She appeared on a 2012 episode of 30 Rock.

In 2013, Atkinson portrayed Rochelle Applebaum in the Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street.[21]

In 2013 and 2014, Atkinson had a four episode arc in the TV show, F to 7th.[22] From 2013 to 2014, she was featured on the American remake of Gavin and Stacey, called Us & Them in the role of Nessa.[21]

In 2018, Atkinson played the role of Connie Kendrickson in the Academy Award-winning film BlacKkKlansman, directed by Spike Lee. She had previously worked with Lee in the 2006 Denzel Washington film, Inside Man. Atkinson also worked alongside Lee's sister Joie Lee, contributing sound work on his 2008 WWII drama, Miracle at St. Anna.[4] Also in 2018, Atkinson had a recurring role on the TV series, One Dollar.[23]

From 2018 to 2019, Atkinson was Ace, Internal Affairs Detective, in four episodes of the Syfy TV show Happy!, a live-action/adult animated black comedy/action-drama television series.

In 2019, Atkinson portrayed Mrs. Fosse in the mini-series Fosse/Verdon. She had a two episode arc in the 2019 Allison Tolman thriller Emergence and played a trucker in the ensemble opposite Alfre Woodard in the Netflix movie, Juanita.[24]

And also in 2019, Atkinson was on the fourth and final season of Mr. Robot, playing the character Janice.[25]

Other work

From 2003, Atkinson is a former skater and long-time member of the 5-time world champion Gotham Girls roller derby team under the name of "Margaret Thrasher (Prime Minister of Your Demise)",[26] although she has since retired.[19][27]

In 2004, Atkinson appeared in the music video for the Kings of Leon song, "Four Kicks" off their album Aha Shake Heartbreak.[28]

In 2006, Atkinson became the face of a fictional character called Chunky Pam. Her character, Chunky Pam, was featured in three videos: in a Christmas promotion for MTV called "Merry X.X.X.L.M.A.S. (Pam I Am)",[29] in a Valentine's Day promotion called "Pampered",[30] and a one-off music video titled "Dirrrty Jerzy",[31] in which she raps about being from New Jersey.[32]

In 2016, Atkinson appeared in the Ubisoft video game WATCH_DOGS 2 as Lenni.[3]

In 2017, Atkinson starred as Dakota "Dak" Prentiss in a 14-episode noir science fiction thriller audio drama podcast called Steal the Stars, the story of two government employees guarding the biggest secret in the world: a crashed UFO.[33]

Personal life

In 2015, Atkinson married gaffer, musician, and filmmaker Leon Chase.[7][34] The couple were married at the Arkansas music venue the White Water Tavern and live in Brooklyn.[2] Shortly after that, Atkinson came out as queer.[35]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Inside Man Mobile Command Officer Berk
2006 Another Gay Movie Muffler
2006 Puccini for Beginners Woman on Park Bench
2007 Margot at the Wedding Becky
2008 The Guitar Receptionist
2008 Quid Pro Quo Candy
2008 Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! Muffler
2008 Last Call Donna
2009 The Invention of Lying Bank Teller
2009 Hungry Years Martha
2009 When the Evening Comes Angie
2010 13 Margot Uncredited
2010 BearCity Amy
2010 Eat Pray Love Bookstore Girl
2010 An Invisible Sign Lisa's Aunt
2010 All Good Things Bonnie Felder
2012 My Best Day Meagan
2012 Compliance Marti
2013 He's Way More Famous Than You Gina
2013 Remedy Mistress Nadine
2013 Cold Comes the Night Social worker
2013 The Wolf of Wall Street Rochelle Applebaum
2014 Lyle Therapist
2015 Bridge of Spies Classroom Teacher
2016 Certain Women Secretary
2016 The Lennon Report Deartra Sato
2016 Blood Stripe Barb
2017 The Outcasts Interviewer
2017 Nowhere, Michigan Erin
2018 BlacKkKlansman Connie Kendrickson
2019 Adam Bound Emcee
2019 Juanita Peaches
2020 Before/During/After Marcella the Line Cook
2021 Small Engine Repair Diane Swaino

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Law & Order Wendy Episode: "Darwinian"
2004–2005 Rescue Me Theresa 6 episodes
2006 3 lbs Nurse Rhonda 2 episodes
2006 Filthy Gorgeous Peggy Television film
2007 Me & Lee? Melinda
2007, 2011 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Lisa Kirby / Lisa Williams 2 episodes
2009 The Unusuals Tanya Blanston Episode: "The E.I.D."
2010 Louie Teacher Episode: "Pilot"
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rachel Gray Episode: "Pursuit"
2011 Bored to Death Distraught Mom Episode: "The Black Clock of Time"
2012 Game Change Plump Woman Television film; uncredited
2012 Boardwalk Empire Gianconda Rosetti - Gyp's Wife Episode: "Sunday Best"
2012 30 Rock Theresa Episode: "Mazel Tov, Dummies!"
2013 Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell Moon Rabbit Episode: "Schmickler83!"
2013–2014 F to 7th Alex 4 episodes
2014 The Actress Discussion Circle Leader Episode: "Unemployment"
2014 Nurse Jackie Kim Episode: "Rat on a Cheeto"
2014 High Maintenance Female Coach Episode: "Ruth"
2014 Stuck on A Maurice 9 episodes
2014–2015 Us & Them Nessa 7 episodes
2014, 2018 Elementary Gay 2 episodes
2015 The Good Wife Octavia Howe Episode: "Payback"
2015–2019 Blue Bloods Sandra Colby 3 episodes
2016 Above Average Presents Alumni Rep Episode: "The Bothering"
2016 Odd Mom Out Patty 2 episodes
2016 Divorce Woman Episode: "Détente"
2017 Crashing Schmitty 2 episodes
2018 Bull Kendall Tyler Episode: "Kill Shot"
2018 Jessica Jones Mavis Episode: "AKA Start at the Beginning"
2018 One Dollar Terri Mitchell 9 episodes
2018–2019 Happy! Ace / Internal Affairs Detective 4 episodes
2019 Fosse/Verdon Mrs. Fosse Episode: "All I Care About Is Love"
2019 Emergence April 2 episodes
2019 Mr. Robot Janice 5 episodes
2019 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Peggy 2 episodes
2019–2020 New Amsterdam Jackie Connor
2020 Prodigal Son Leanne Episode: "Death's Door"
2021 Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Nova Episode: "Zoey's Extraordinary Mystery"
2021 Impeachment: American Crime Story Juanita Broaddrick
2022 And Just Like That... Amanda Episode: "Sex and the Widow"
2022 The Gilded Age Mamie Fish
2023 American Horror Story: Delicate Anna's Superfan Episode: "Rockabye"

Awards

Selected theater

References

  1. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (2010). "Playbill.com's Cue & A: Ashlie Atkinson". Playbill.
  2. ^ a b c d Franco, Cheree (9 June 2015). "On a role: Ashlie Atkinson's done them all: TV, movies, Broadway, roller derby, wife, YouTube". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  3. ^ a b c Hart, Kate (2 March 2016). "Badass Ladies You Should Know: Ashlie Atkinson". Kate Hart.
  4. ^ a b c Lybarger, Dan (24 August 2018). "Arkansan who plays homicidal Ku Klux Klan wife in 'BlacKkKlansman' is no stranger to racism". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  5. ^ "PEOPLE Now: Mr. Robot's Ashlie Atkinson Doesn't Have a Finsta: 'My Dirty Secrets Aren't on the Internet!'" (Video interview). People. 7 October 2019.
  6. ^ Rosenberg, Jacob (22 February 2018). "Q&A with Ashlie Atkinson". Arkansas Times.
  7. ^ a b "Ashlie Elizabeth Atkinson – Leon William Chase". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 17 May 2015.
  8. ^ a b Thomas, Rachel (Fall 2012). "On Stage in New York, At Home in Arkansas". Hendrix Magazine. Hendrix College.
  9. ^ "Alumni: Ashlie Atkinson '01". Hendrix College. 2006.
  10. ^ "Alumni: Ashlie Atkinson". Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. 2003.
  11. ^ Rinaldi, Peter (4 September 2018). "Back to One Podcast: Ashlie Atkinson Talks Using the "Substitution Tool" to Play Evil and Treating Auditions as Work Sessions" (Audio podcast). Filmmaker Magazine.
  12. ^ Fretts, Bruce (28 June 2005). "Rescue Me's Fiery Females". TV Guide.
  13. ^ Park, Ed (14 December 2004). "Neil LaBute finds there's more to love and hate with full-figured characters". Village Voice.
  14. ^ a b Zinoman, Jason (25 November 2005). "The Listings: Nov. 25 – Dec. 1; Ashlie Atkinson". The New York Times.
  15. ^ "Fat Pig, awards and nominations". MCC Theater. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  16. ^ a b "Previous Theater World Award recipients: 2004–2005". Theatre World Awards. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  17. ^ a b "2005 Nominees: Outstanding Lead Actress: Ashlie Atkinson; Fat Pig". The Lucille Lortel Awards. 2005.
  18. ^ a b "Awards for 2004–2005: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Ashlie Atkinson – Fat Pig". Outer Critics Circle. 2005.
  19. ^ a b "Fat Pig's Ashlie Atkinson Joins Cast of The Ritz; Comedy Delays One Day". Broadway.com. 14 September 2007.
  20. ^ Lipton, Brian Scott (14 September 2007). "Ashlie Atkinson Joins The Ritz; First Preview Cancelled". Theater Mania.
  21. ^ a b "The Arkansas Times Inquizator: Ashlie Atkinson". Arkansas Times. 29 August 2013.
  22. ^ "Cast: Ashlie Atkinson". F TO 7TH. 2013.
  23. ^ DJ Sixsmith (22 October 2018). "Ashlie Atkinson Talks 'One Dollar' On CBS All-Access". CBS.
  24. ^ Beandrea July (8 March 2019). "'Juanita': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  25. ^ Petski, Denise (16 September 2019). "'Mr. Robot': Ashlie Atkinson Joins Fourth & Final Season As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood.
  26. ^ Nelson, Steffie (15 May 2005). "Tough Girls Roll in the Bronx". The New York Times.
  27. ^ Shanker, Wendy (December 2005). "Live a Well Rounded Life". Amaze Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008.
  28. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Four Kicks (Official Music Video)" (Music video). Kings Of Leon. 2004. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Chunky Pam (2006). "Merry X.X.X.L.M.A.S. (Pam I Am)" (Music video). Pam Da Moanium. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ Chunky Pam (2006). "Pampered" (Music video). Pam Da Moanium. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Chunky Pam (2006). "Dirrrty Jerzy" (Music video). Pam Da Moanium. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ Jordan, Noah (3 May 2010). "Holidays, Jersey, ANTM and Rap Music". 303 Magazine.
  33. ^ "Steal the Stars". Tor Labs. 20 June 2017.
  34. ^ "Ashlie Elizabeth Atkinson – Leon William Chase". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 17 May 2015.
  35. ^ https://www.instagram.com/ashlie_atkinson/?hl=en
  36. ^ "Alumni Association to Honor Four at Awards Brunch" (press release). Hendrix College. 23 January 2014.
  37. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  38. ^ Hoffman, Barbara (2 December 2004). "The Bravest Actress in New York – Would You Star in Something Called 'Fat Pig?". New York Post.
  39. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (2007). "'That 70's Show' and 'Rescue Me' Actresses Cast in Ivey-Directed Butcher of Baraboo". Playbill.
  40. ^ Hetrick, Adam (2010). "As You Like It, Directed by Mendes, Opens at BAM Jan. 26". Playbill.
  41. ^ Hetrick, Adam (2010). "The Tempest, with Dillane, Camargo, Rylance and Sadoski, Opens at BAM Feb. 25". Playbill.
  42. ^ Bacalzo, Dan (18 November 2010). "Ashlie Atkinson to Star in Jennifer Lane's Psychomachia". TheaterMania.
  43. ^ Rizzo, Frank (17 December 2012). "Ashlie Atkinson Cast In Premiere of 'January Joiner' At Long Wharf Theatre". Hartford Courant.
  44. ^ Clement, Olivia (2015). "Cynthia Nixon-Helmed Steve Begins Performances Tonight Off-Broadway". Playbill.
  45. ^ Rooney, David (18 November 2015). "'Steve': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  46. ^ Jacobson, Aileen (10 June 2016). "Review: 'The Forgotten Woman' in Sag Harbor Is an Ode to Opera". The New York Times.
  47. ^ "Imogen Says Nothing". Yale Repertory Theatre. 2017.
  48. ^ Arnott, Christopher (14 January 2017). "Tresnjak Nixes 'St. Joan' For 'Heartbreak House,' Foxwoods Books Broadway Shows". Chicago Tribune.

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