Mae Whitman

Mae Whitman, born on June 9, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actor who gained prominence at a young age. She made her mark as a child actor, starring in several notable films such as When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), One Fine Day (1996), Independence Day (1996), and Hope Floats (1998). Additionally, she appeared in television series like Chicago Hope (1996–1999) and JAG (1998–2001).
Whitman's breakout roles came later in her career, earning mainstream recognition for her performances in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development (2004–2006, 2013) and the NBC drama series Parenthood (2010–2015). Her portrayal in Parenthood garnered critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for a Critics' Choice Television Award. She further solidified her reputation with her role in the NBC crime comedy series Good Girls (2018–2021).


In addition to her live-action work, Whitman has made significant contributions as a voice actor in children's film and television. She voiced characters like Little Suzy in Johnny Bravo (1997–2004), Shanti in The Jungle Book 2 (2003), Katara in the Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008), and Tinker Bell in the eponymous film series (2008–2015). She also lent her voice to characters such as Rose / Huntsgirl in American Dragon: Jake Long (2005–2007), Cassie Sandsmark / Wonder Girl in Young Justice (2012–2022), April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012), and Amity Blight in The Owl House (2020–2023).
Whitman's versatility extends to her film roles, where she appeared in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and The DUFF (2015). Her performance in The DUFF earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination.
Continuing her successful career, Whitman reprised her role as Roxie Richter in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023) and voiced the character Annie in Skull Island (2023–present).


Mae Whitman's journey in the entertainment industry began at a remarkably young age. At just two years old, she landed her first gig doing voice-over work for a Tyson Chicken commercial. Despite her inability to read at the time, she managed to memorize her lines with the help of acting coach Andrew Magarian.
Her breakthrough came at the age of five when she made her film debut in When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), starring alongside Meg Ryan. She portrayed Ryan's youngest daughter, Casey Green, beating out over 700 other girls for the role. Whitman's talent caught the attention of audiences and industry professionals alike.


In 1996, Whitman continued to showcase her acting skills in high-profile projects. She appeared in two major films: Independence Day, playing the daughter of Bill Pullman's character, President Whitmore, and One Fine Day, portraying George Clooney's daughter, Maggie Taylor. Additionally, she made a guest appearance in the popular television series Friends, starring in the season three episode titled "The One Where Rachel Quits."
Between 1996 and 1998, Whitman embarked on a significant stint in the medical drama Chicago Hope, starring in 17 episodes. She then portrayed Sandra Bullock's daughter, Bernice Pruitt, in the film Hope Floats. Her versatility as an actor was further showcased in her role as Chloe Madison on JAG, where she made several guest appearances from 1998 to 2001.
Whitman's talent and dedication to her craft led her to a leading role in the Fox Family series State of Grace. In the show, she played the character of Grace, a Catholic girl who forms a friendship with Hannah, portrayed by Alia Shawkat, a Jewish girl. This series provided Whitman with another platform to demonstrate her range as an actor and further solidified her status as a rising star in the industry.


From 2004 to 2006, Mae Whitman gained recognition for her recurring role on the acclaimed series Arrested Development. During this time, she also lent her voice to the character Katara on the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender from 2005 to 2008. Her talent extended to live-action television as well, with appearances in the 2006 series Thief for FX Networks, where she played the stepdaughter of Nick Atwater, portrayed by Andre Braugher.
Whitman's television career continued to flourish with notable guest appearances in 2006 and 2007. She made a memorable appearance on Desperate Housewives in the episode "Nice She Ain't," portraying Sarah, a dubious friend of Julie Mayer, played by Andrea Bowen. Additionally, Whitman had a recurring role on Chicago Hope in the series' later years, portraying the daughter of Dr. Kate Austin, played by Christine Lahti.


In 2007, Whitman was initially cast in the series remake of Bionic Woman, slated to play the deaf younger sister of the title character. However, she was replaced in the role before the show aired, with Lucy Hale taking her place. Despite this setback, Whitman continued to make her mark on television, appearing in the HBO series In Treatment as the supporting character Rosie.
Whitman also made significant contributions to animated projects, voicing iconic characters such as Tinker Bell in the Disney Tinker Bell films series, which included Tinker Bell (2008), Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009), and Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (2010). She also voiced roles in other animated series, including Rose in American Dragon: Jake Long and Cynder in The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night. Whitman's versatility as both a live-action and voice actor cemented her status as a versatile and sought-after talent in the entertainment industry.

References

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