Molly Gordon

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3 Mar 2024

Molly Gordon

Molly Gordon was born and raised in Venice, Los Angeles, to a family deeply ingrained in the entertainment industry. Her parents are director Bryan Gordon and writer-director Jessie Nelson. Gordon's exposure to the performing arts began at a young age, as she performed on the Los Angeles stage from an early age.

Growing up, Gordon formed close friendships with fellow actors Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein. Together, they participated in various theatrical productions, including performances of "Fiddler on the Roof" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Their shared passion for theater led them to establish a group called the Theater Geeks of America, where they frequently entertained residents at local retirement homes.
Gordon's interest in comedic acting was sparked by her admiration for shows like "Saturday Night Live" and performances by comedy troupe The Groundlings. She took on roles in comedy sketches and honed her comedic skills, eventually portraying Dot in her high school's production of "Sunday in the Park with George" at the age of 17.

After briefly attending New York University, Gordon decided to pursue her acting career more directly. She left NYU after two weeks due to dissatisfaction with her program and instead opted for night classes while working as a hostess at Balthazar. This decision allowed her to focus on her passion for acting and comedy, ultimately leading to her successful career in both film and television.

Molly Gordon made her debut in the film industry with a role in the 2001 drama film "I Am Sam," directed by her mother, Jessie Nelson. In the film, she portrayed the character Callie. Following this, she appeared as a trick-or-treater in Nora Ephron's 2005 film "Bewitched."
In 2014, Gordon relocated to New York City to pursue her passion for acting professionally and enrolled at New York University. However, she decided to leave the university after two weeks and began actively pursuing acting opportunities. She landed various minor roles in off-Broadway productions, television shows, and films.

In August 2015, Gordon received a breakthrough opportunity when she was cast as Nicky in the TNT pilot "Animal Kingdom," which was based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name. The pilot was picked up for a full series with a 10-episode order in December 2015, and the series premiered on June 14, 2016, with Gordon as a series regular.
One of Gordon's notable roles came in the 2018 comedy film "Life of the Party," where she played Maddie, the daughter of Melissa McCarthy's character. Her performance in the film showcased her comedic talents and further solidified her presence in the entertainment industry.

Molly Gordon's career continued to flourish with notable roles both on stage and on screen. In December 2018, she began rehearsals to portray Alice Spencer in the Off-Broadway production of "Alice by Heart." Directed and co-written by her mother, Jessie Nelson, and Steven Sater, the musical opened at the MCC Theater on February 26, 2019, showcasing Gordon's talents in theater. The show concluded its run in May 2019.
In 2019, Gordon portrayed Annabelle, or "Triple A," in the comedy film "Booksmart," directed by Olivia Wilde. She was drawn to the film's eccentric characters and their grounded realism. Additionally, she appeared in three episodes of Ramy Youssef and Chris Storer's series "Ramy."

Gordon's versatility as an actress was further demonstrated in 2021 when she appeared in Emma Seligman's debut feature film "Shiva Baby," portraying Rachel Sennott's ex-girlfriend, Maya.
Continuing her creative endeavors, Gordon embarked on a project as a producer, star, and co-director in the musical comedy film "Theater Camp," announced on June 9, 2022. Inspired by the 2020 short film of the same name, co-written with Noah Galvin, Ben Platt, and Nick Lieberman, the film features Gordon as Rebecca-Diane, the musical director at AdirondACTS, a children's summer camp. "Theater Camp" premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2023, showcasing Gordon's talents both in front of and behind the camera.
While working on editing "Theater Camp," Gordon was offered the role of Jeremy Allen White's love interest, Claire, in the second season of "The Bear," which premiered in June 2023, further solidifying her presence in the television industry.