Larisa Oleynik
Oleynik in 2015
Born
Larisa Romanovna Oleynik

(1981-06-07) June 7, 1981 (age 42)
Santa Clara, California, U.S.
Alma materSarah Lawrence College
OccupationActress
Years active1989–present

Larisa Romanovna Oleynik (/ləˈrɪsə oʊˈleɪnɪk/; born June 7, 1981)[1][2][3] is an American actress. Oleynik began her career as a child actor, first appearing onstage as young Cosette in a national touring production of Les Misérables (1989–1991). She was subsequently cast in the title role on the Nickelodeon sci-fi series The Secret World of Alex Mack from 1994 to 1998. She also began a film career, starring in an ensemble cast as Dawn Schafer in the film adaptation The Baby-Sitters Club (1995), and in a lead role in the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You (1999).

Oleynik subsequently had a supporting role in the comedy 100 Girls (2000), after which she starred opposite Nastassja Kinski and Scarlett Johansson in the period film An American Rhapsody (2001), and the independent drama Bringing Rain (2003). She later had supporting roles in Atlas Shrugged: Part II (2011) and the horror film Jessabelle (2014). From 2010 to 2015, she had a recurring role as Cynthia Cosgrove on the AMC series Mad Men, and a voice role as Icy on the Nickelodeon revival of Winx Club (2011–2014).

Early life and education

Larisa Romanovna Oleynik was born in Santa Clara, California,[a] to Lorraine (née Allen), a former nurse, and anesthesiologist Roman Oleynik.[citation needed] Her father was of Russian,[5] and Ukrainian ancestry, and she was raised in the Russian Orthodox faith.[6] Oleynik was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.[7] She graduated from the Pinewood School in Los Altos, California, in 1999.[8] As her acting career flourished, she would "divide her time between normal childhood experiences in Northern California and auditions in Los Angeles."[9]

After the success in her role as Alex Mack, Oleynik decided to attend college,[10] enrolling at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, which she later described as "the best decision I’ve made".[11]

Career

1989–2002

Oleynik began acting in a San Francisco production of Les Misérables in 1989 after seeing an audition ad in a newspaper when she was eight years old.[12] She obtained two parts in the production (young Cosette and young Eponine), both with singing roles.[13] After appearing in the musical, she was referred to an agent by her Les Misérables co-star, Rider Strong, and began to take formal acting lessons.[12] "I remember being 10 years old and thinking, 'I want to be good at this'... It wasn’t about, 'I want to be on TV'. It was more looking around at the other kids and being like, 'I’m not good at sports, I’m not really smart. I think I could be good at this, though'."[12]

Her onscreen acting career began at age 12, in a 1993 episode of the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman;[12] the same year, she also appeared in the made-for-television film River of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keene

Later in 1993, she was cast in the lead role of the series The Secret World of Alex Mack where she portrayed a teenage girl who receives telekinetic powers as the result of an accident. She won the role of Alex Mack over 400 other aspirants. The series ran on Nickelodeon from 1994 to 1998 and was one of the network's top three most watched shows,[14] becoming quite a favorite among the child and teen audiences and turning Oleynik into a teen idol. During the show's heyday, children who met Oleynik (and were too young to understand special effects) would often ask her to "morph" for them. Rather than try to explain things, she would quickly glance around, then tell them "Not here – everybody would see!". Oleynik reprised the role in an All That sketch, although the name was changed to "Alex Sax".[citation needed] She later made an appearance in the 100th episode of the show.

In 1996, she made a cameo on the series The Adventures of Pete & Pete as a nurse at the beginning of the episode "Dance Fever".[15] Also during her time on The Secret World of Alex Mack, she played Dawn Schafer, one of the lead characters in the 1995 feature film The Baby-Sitters Club (1995), opposite Rachael Leigh Cook and Schuyler Fisk,[16] appeared in several episodes of Boy Meets World, wrote an advice column for Tiger Beat magazine,[5] and was involved in Nickelodeon's The Big Help charity, Hands Across Communication, Surfrider Foundation and the Starlight Children's Foundation.[5] She has also hosted the CableACE Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, YTV Achievement Awards, The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards as well as The Big Help. She has commented that she stayed "grounded" during her period as a teen star, mainly through the help of a "strong network of people" that she was close to.[17]

After The Secret World of Alex Mack ended its run, Oleynik had a starring role in the film 10 Things I Hate About You as Bianca. The film was released in April 1999, and did fairly well at the box office, grossing a total of $38 million domestically.[18] From 1998 to 2000, Oleynik appeared in twenty-one episodes of the NBC series 3rd Rock from the Sun as Alissa Strudwick. During 2000, she also appeared in two independent films: 100 Girls (opposite Emmanuelle Chriqui, Katherine Heigl and Jonathan Tucker) and A Time for Dancing (opposite Shiri Appleby); neither film received a theatrical release in the United States.

Oleynik had a supporting role in the independent drama film An American Rhapsody (2001), opposite Nastassja Kinski and Scarlett Johansson, which follows a young woman whose parents are forced to leave her behind in Communist Hungary while they flee to the United States.[19]

2003–present

Oleynik had a supporting part in Bringing Rain (2003), a low-budget teen drama starring Adrian Grenier and Paz de la Huerta, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.[20] In 2005, she appeared as a guest star on the series Malcolm in the Middle as Reese's lesbian army buddy who develops a crush on his mother.[21] Oleynik was cast in a supporting role in the series Pepper Dennis, which began airing on The WB in April 2006, but was not picked up by The WB's successor The CW. The same year, she starred in the independent drama Pope Dreams.[22]

In March 2008, Oleynik guest-starred in episode 13 of Aliens in America. In 2009, she provided audio commentary for the 10 Things I Hate About You 10th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray. In March 2011, Oleynik started appearing in a recurring role on Hawaii Five-0 as CIA analyst Jenna Kaye, until her character was later killed off.[23] She was subsequently cast in the Ayn Rand adaptation Atlas Shrugged: Part II (2012), as Cherryl Brooks, a store clerk who becomes acquainted with the protagonist, Dagny Taggart (portrayed by Samantha Mathis).[24] Oleynik also guest-starred as Ken Cosgrove's girlfriend (and later wife) Cynthia Baxter in several episodes on the AMC television series Mad Men.[25]

In 2016, Oleynik starred in the one-woman show I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York.[26] Beginning in 2017, Oleynik starred in the Off-Broadway musical comedy Baghdaddy.[12] In 2020, Oleynik starred in the Netflix family comedy series, The Healing Powers of Dude.[27] In 2023, it was announced that Oleynik was cast as Sylvia in the Nickelodeon comedy Erin & Aaron.[28]

Personal life

Oleynik resides in Venice, California.[9]

In January 2013, she was granted a restraining order against a stalker who was so obsessed with her that he changed his last name to "Oleynik".[29][30]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1994 The Swan Princess Pre-teen Odette Voice role [1]
1995 The Baby-Sitters Club Dawn Read Schafer [31]
1998 The Swan Princess: Sing Along Pre-teen Odette Voice role; short film [32]
1999 10 Things I Hate About You Bianca Stratford [31]
2000 100 Girls Wendy [31]
2001 An American Rhapsody Maria Sandor (age 18) [31]
2002 A Time for Dancing Jules Michaels [33]
2002 Speciale Casting Jules Michaels Archived; uncredited
2003 Bringing Rain Ori Swords [20]
2006 Pope Dreams Maggie Venable [33]
2007 Relative Obscurity Claire [34]
2008 Broken Windows Sara [33]
2009 Together Again for the First Time Brenda Direct-to-video [33]
2009 I Have It Emily Short film
2012 Born Yesterday Elyse Short film [35]
2012 Atlas Shrugged: Part II Cherryl Brooks [33]
2012 Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom Icy Voice; Nickelodeon English version
2013 Winx Club 3D: Magical Adventure Icy Voice; Nickelodeon English version
2013 OJ: The Musical Regina [36]
2013 Remember Sunday Lauren [citation needed]
2014 BFFs Chloe [37]
2013 The Mamet Women Polly Short film [38]
2014 Jessabelle Sam [33]
2014 Horrible Parents Jill Short film
2017 Wandering Off Amanda [33]
2018 Accommodations Natalie [39]
2019 Animal Among Us Anita Bishop [40]
2019 Auggie Hillary
2021 We Broke Up Tia

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Susie Episode: "Heroes"
River of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keene Gail Keene TV movie
1994–98 The Secret World of Alex Mack Alex Mack Lead role (78 episodes)
1995 All That Alex Sax Episode: "Larisa Oleynik/Da Brat"; sketch: "The Secret World of Alex Sax"
1996 The Adventures of Pete & Pete Nurse Episode: "Dance Fever"
1996–98 Boy Meets World Dana Pruitt 3 episodes
1997 The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo Gator World Employee Episode: "The Alligator Mystery"; uncredited
1998–2000 3rd Rock from the Sun Alissa Strudwick Recurring role (21 episodes)
2005 Malcolm in the Middle Abby Tucker Episode: "Army Buddy"
2006 Katie Sullivan Katie Sullivan Unsold TV pilot; lead role
Pepper Dennis Brianna 2 episodes
2008 Aliens in America Zoe Episode: "Community Theater"
2009 Without a Trace Liza Miller Episode: "Voir Dire"
Psych Willow Gimbley/ Shawn Spencers Gal Episode: "Let's Get Hairy"
2010 Backyard Wedding Renee TV movie
2010–15 Mad Men Cynthia Cosgrove Recurring role (5 episodes)
2011–12 Winx Club: Enchantix Icy / Various Voice role (28 episodes)
2011–14 Hawaii Five-0 Jenna Kaye Recurring role (7 episodes)
2012 Mike & Molly Allison Episode: "The Dress"
Fairly Legal Officer Glacki Episode: "What They Seem"
2012–13 Winx Club: Beyond Believix Icy / Various Voice role (24 episodes)
2012–14 Pretty Little Liars Maggie Cutler Recurring role (7 episodes)
Winx Club Icy / Various Voice role (52 episodes)
2013 Remember Sunday Lauren TV movie
Ghost Ghirls Megan Episode: "Will You Scary Me?"
American Dad! Super hot girl Voice role; episode: "Steve and Snot's Test-Tubular Adventure"
2014 Robot Chicken Alex Mack / Cheetara / Classmate Voice role; episode: "Rebel Appliance"
Stolen from the Womb Diane King TV movie
Extant Phillips Episode: "Ascension"
The Michaels Katherine Bixby TV movie
2015 Wish Upon a Christmas Amelia TV movie
2016 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lizzie Bauer Episode: "Assaulting Reality"
2018–19 Half Life Patty Lead role (4 episodes)
2019 Janice Gunter, Ghost Hunter Leesa Episode: "Psychic Development Class"
2019–20 Trinkets Shawn Recurring role (6 episodes)
2020 The Healing Powers of Dude Karen Ferris Main role (8 episodes)
2023 Erin & Aaron Sylvia Main role (13 episodes)

Stage credits

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1989–91 Les Misérables Young Cosette / Young Eponine Second national touring production [13]
2014 Be a Good Little Widow Melody NoHo Arts Center
2016 I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Giulia Hangar Theatre [26]
2017–18 Baghdaddy Berry St. Luke's Theatre [41]
2019 Miss Lilly Gets Boned Miss Lilly Rogue Machine Theatre

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ Some sources erroneously state that Oleynik was born in San Francisco, including the Biography Today 1996 Annual Cumulation: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers (1996).[1] CBS San Francisco stated in a 2011 article that Oleynik was born in the city of Santa Clara.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Harris, Laurie Lanzen (1996). Biography Today 1996 Annual Cumulation: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers. Detroit, Michigan: Omnigraphics Incorporated. p. 263. ISBN 978-0-780-80070-0.
  2. ^ "Larisa Oleynik". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020.
  3. ^ "Daybreak: Today in History". The Index-Journal. Greenwood, South Carolina. The Associated Press. June 7, 2017. p. 6A. Actress Larisa Oleynik is 36.
  4. ^ "Larisa Oleynik Joins Cast Of 'Hawaii Five-O'". CBS San Francisco. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Larisa Online". PEOPLE Online Hosts Larisa Oleynik--May 29, 1997. Archived from the original on March 23, 2002. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Larisa Online". Larisa.com. November 13, 1998. Archived from the original on May 18, 2006. Retrieved April 14, 2006.
  7. ^ Mendoza, N. F. (October 2, 1994). "SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : Larisa Oleynik finds the secret is to have fun as 'Alex Mack'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014.
  8. ^ Lawson, Sarah (May 27, 2013). "Pinewood Alumni Larisa Oleynik Continues Her Success in Hollywood". Pinewood School. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "The Michaels". PixL TV. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017.
  10. ^ Larisa Oleynik Celebrity Interview for Bringing Rain (2003) at The Movie Insider
  11. ^ Davis, Jasmen. "Celebrity Spotlight: Larisa Oleynik". Girls' Life Magazine. Archived from the original on April 24, 2006.
  12. ^ a b c d e Peitzman, Louis (June 2, 2017). "Larisa Oleynik Is Here To Prove She's More Than Alex Mack". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Larisa Oleynik". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017.
  14. ^ Graham, Jefferson (August 4, 1995). "Her Typical Teen Aura". USA Today. originally reprinted online at virgin.net. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005.
  15. ^ Maitland, Judith. "Big Mack Attack". Originally reprinted online at virgin.net. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005.
  16. ^ Thomas, Kevin (August 18, 1995). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Baby-Sitters': 7 Lovely Girls Show Grace Under Pressure". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016.
  17. ^ Radovsky, Vicki Jo (October 1996). "A World Of Her Own". TV Guide. originally reprinted online at virgin.net. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005. Retrieved April 14, 2006.
  18. ^ "10 Things I Hate about You". The Numbers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006.
  19. ^ Kehr, David (August 10, 2001). "FILM REVIEW; The Funny Foreignness Of Hamburgers and Coke". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015.
  20. ^ a b Scheib, Ronnie (June 3, 2003). "Bringing Rain". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  21. ^ Eames, Tom (May 24, 2016). "The Secret Life of Alex Mack ended 18 years ago: what do the cast look like now?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  22. ^ "Pope Dreams Cast and Crew". AllMovie. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  23. ^ "Hawaii Five-0 Adds Cast Member". CBS.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  24. ^ Harvey, Dennis (October 13, 2012). "Atlas Shrugged: Part II – The Strike". Variety. Archived from the original on January 16, 2019.
  25. ^ "Q&A – Larisa Oleynik (Cynthia Cosgrove)". Mad Men. AMC. 2013. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018.
  26. ^ a b "Hangar Theatre makes 'Spaghetti' to launch season". The Ithaca Journal. Ithaca, New York. June 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  27. ^ Petski, Denise (June 20, 2019). "Netflix Orders 'The Healing Powers Of Dude' Family Live Action Comedy Series". Deadline.
  28. ^ Cordero, Rosy (March 4, 2023). "'Erin & Aaron': Ava Ro & Jensen Gering To Lead Nickelodeon Series; Premiere Date & Teaser Trailer Revealed". Deadline. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  29. ^ nickiswift.com KATE OCZYPOK and MARIEL LOVELAND, December 20, 2020
  30. ^ Raftery, Liz (February 4, 2013). "Alex Mack Star Larisa Oleynik Gets Restraining Order Against Stalker". TV Guide. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  31. ^ a b c d "Larisa Oleynik Credits". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017.
  32. ^ The Swan Princess: Sing-Along (VHS). Nest Entertainment, Inc. 1998. ASIN B00063FXK8.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g "Larisa Oleynik Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  34. ^ Martin, Anita (May 10, 2006). "Out of "Relative Obscurity"". Ohio University Outlook. Ohio University. Archived from the original on June 14, 2010.
  35. ^ "The Secret World of Actress Larisa Oleynik". ITSA Film Festival. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018.
  36. ^ Merry, Stephanie; O'Sullivan, Michael; Hornaday, Ann (June 20, 2014). "Watch online: 'OJ: The Musical,' 'As I Lay Dying' and 'Burning Bush'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  37. ^ "BFFs". Riverfront Times. St. Louis, Missouri. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  38. ^ "The Mamet Women". Cleveland International Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  39. ^ "Larisa Oleynik Filmographie". AlloCiné (in French). Archived from the original on December 27, 2017.
  40. ^ Waslasky, Casey (February 24, 2016). "Alex from 'The Secret World of Alex Mack' is all grown up and she's absolutely gorgeous". AOL. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018.
  41. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (August 28, 2018). "Off-Broadway Baghdaddy Musical Will Release Cast Album Featuring SpongeBob SquarePants' Ethan Slater". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.

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