Jordana Spiro

Jordana Spiro is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, excelling as an actress, director, and writer.
In her acting career, Spiro has appeared in a wide range of films and television series, showcasing her versatility and skill. She notably starred in Netflix's acclaimed series "Ozark" and the popular TBS comedy "My Boys."


Transitioning behind the camera, Spiro made her directorial debut with the feature film "Night Comes On," which she also co-wrote with Angelica Nwandu. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018, receiving critical acclaim for its storytelling and direction. Spiro developed the project through various prestigious programs, including the Sundance Institute’s Directors, Screenwriters, and Composers Labs, as well as receiving support from a Cinereach development grant.


Prior to her feature film debut, Spiro gained recognition for her short film "Skin," which also premiered at Sundance and received accolades such as the Women In Film Productions award and the Honorable Mention Award at SXSW. The film showcased her talent as both a director and writer, further establishing her as a rising filmmaker in the industry.
Spiro's journey in filmmaking is supported by her academic background, having earned her MFA in Film from Columbia University in 2015. She was also honored with the Adrienne Shelly Foundation Fellowship, recognizing her promise and dedication to the craft.


Additionally, Spiro's passion for drama led her to study at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York, honing her acting skills and laying the foundation for her successful career on both stage and screen. Her talent and potential were further acknowledged when she was selected to join the Berlinale Talent Campus in Berlin, an esteemed program for emerging filmmakers.
Overall, Jordana Spiro's diverse talents and dedication to her craft have positioned her as a significant figure in the entertainment industry, with her contributions as an actress, director, and writer leaving a lasting impact on audiences and fellow creatives alike.


Jordana Spiro's upbringing in New York City, combined with her Jewish heritage, has played a significant role in shaping her identity and artistic perspective. Raised alongside her brother and three sisters, Spiro developed a passion for acting from a young age.
Her educational journey further fueled her artistic ambitions. Spiro honed her craft at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre school in New York, where she received formal training in acting. Additionally, she briefly pursued studies at the esteemed Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, gaining exposure to different theatrical traditions and methodologies.


In pursuit of her aspirations in filmmaking, Spiro enrolled in the MFA Program in Filmmaking at Columbia University in 2009. Over the course of six years, she immersed herself in the world of cinema, refining her skills as a director, writer, and storyteller. Her time at Columbia provided her with invaluable opportunities for growth and collaboration, ultimately culminating in the completion of her master's degree in 2015.
Currently, Spiro divides her time between Los Angeles and New York, leveraging the vibrant creative communities in both cities to further her career in the entertainment industry. This bicoastal lifestyle allows her to immerse herself in diverse projects and collaborate with talented individuals from various backgrounds, enriching her artistic journey and contributing to her continued success.


Jordana Spiro's early career saw her making strides both in film and television. Her first notable film role was portraying Catherine Reece in the 1999 movie "From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter," a direct-to-DVD prequel to the popular film "From Dusk till Dawn."
In 2000, Spiro transitioned to television with her starring role in the USA Network crime drama series "The Huntress." Alongside Annette O'Toole, Spiro portrayed one half of a mother-daughter duo of bounty hunters, based on the real-life experiences of Dottie and Brandi Thorson. The series aired for 28 episodes until its conclusion in 2001.


One of Spiro's most notable television roles came in the TBS original comedy series "My Boys," where she played the lead role of P.J., a sports reporter navigating friendships and romance within a predominantly male social circle. The series ran for four seasons, concluding in 2010.
In addition to her television work, Spiro appeared in the 2009 comedy film "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," sharing the screen with actors like Jeremy Piven, Ed Helms, and Rob Riggle. The film, directed by Neal Brennan and produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, showcased Spiro's comedic talents in a supporting role.


Spiro appeared in the 2009 comedy The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard alongside Jeremy Piven, Ed Helms, and Rob Riggle. The film was produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and directed by Neal Brennan.
Her other credits include The Year of Getting to Know Us, which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, IFC's Alone with Her, and guest appearances on Cold Case, Out of Practice, and CSI: NY.


Spiro was set to star in the planned 2010–11 television series Love Bites but had to drop out of the role in June 2010 due to other commitments. She was also cast alongside Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman in the thriller Trespass. Spiro guest-starred on the Showtime series Dexter in 2011. In the 2012–13 season, she had the lead role in the Fox-TV medical/crime drama The Mob Doctor.
Recently, Spiro portrayed Rachel Garrison in the Netflix crime drama Ozark.
In February 2024, Spiro joined the cast of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Shannah Sykes, an FBI agent on loan to the show's special victims unit squad.

References

1.  "SI.com – She's all that – Jul 3, 2007". CNN. July 3, 2007.[dead link]
2. ^ Jordana Spiro Interview Archived 2009-06-19 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ "TV Guide: Jordana Spiro Biography"
4. ^ "Circle in the Square Theatre School - Acting and Musical Theatre Workshops in NYC". circlesquare.org.[dead link]
5. ^ "Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: Alumni Overview" Archived 2009-04-21 at the Wayback Machine
6. ^ "Jordana Spiro is up to bat for Season 2 with 'My Boys'". USA Today.
7. ^ Kung, Michelle (23 July 2010). "'My Boys' Star Jordana Spiro on Balancing Work and Film School" (Digital). Wall Street Journal. New York: Almar Latour. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020. I started going to grad school at Columbia University to get my MFA in directing and I spent a lot of time shadowing ['My Boys' showrunner] Betsy Thomas in pre-production and then the editing room.
8. ^ "Film Alums & Current Student Chosen for Prestigious Artist Academy at Lincoln Center". New York: Columbia University. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original (Digital) on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2020. Alumni Barbara Cigarroa '18, Ellie Foumbi '17, Jordana Spiro '15, and current student Johnson Cheng were selected as participants for The Film Society of Lincoln Center's Artist Academy, an immersive four-day program that nurtures up-and-coming filmmakers by providing workshops, talks, screenings, and mentorship with industry professionals.
9. ^ "My Boys on TBS" (Archived 2010-02-05 at the Wayback Machine)
10. ^ "The Goods: Official Website" (Archived 2009-06-08 at the Wayback Machine)
11. ^ "CBS: Cold Case"
12. ^ "CBS: Out of Practice"
13. ^ "CBS: CSI: NY"
14. ^ "Exclusive: Jordana Spiro exits 'Love Bites'". Ausiello Files. June 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 27, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.