Alison Brie
Alison Brie
Alison Brie Schermerhorn, born on December 29, 1982, is a versatile American actress, writer, and producer known for her work across television and film.
Brie's breakthrough role came with her portrayal of Trudy Campbell in the acclaimed drama series Mad Men (2007–2015). Her performance in the show earned her critical acclaim and a Screen Actors Guild Award, establishing her as a talent to watch.
She further solidified her presence on television with her role as Annie Edison in the beloved sitcom Community (2009–2015), where she showcased her comedic chops and endearing charm. Additionally, Brie lent her voice to the character Diane Nguyen in the acclaimed animated series BoJack Horseman (2014–2020), earning further praise for her voice acting skills.
In the realm of film, Brie has appeared in a variety of genres and projects. She showcased her versatility with roles in movies such as Scream 4 (2011), The Five-Year Engagement (2012), The Lego Movie (2014), How to Be Single (2016), The Post (2017), The Little Hours (2017), Promising Young Woman (2020), and Happiest Season (2020). Her performances garnered attention for their depth and range.
Beyond acting, Brie has also ventured into writing, producing, and starring in her own projects. She wrote, produced, and starred in the films Horse Girl (2020), Spin Me Round (2022), and Somebody I Used to Know (2023), demonstrating her creative abilities beyond performing.
Alison Brie's multifaceted career and her ability to excel in various roles across different mediums have solidified her status as one of the most talented and versatile performers in the entertainment industry.
Alison Brie Schermerhorn, born on December 29, 1982, entered the world in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. She was born to Charles Terry Schermerhorn, a musician and freelance entertainment reporter, and Joanne Brenner, who works at Para los Niños, a non-profit childcare agency. Brie has an older sister named Lauren.
Her diverse ancestry reflects her family background. While her mother is Jewish, her father was raised Catholic and has Dutch, English, and Scottish roots. Despite this religious diversity, Brie experienced a blend of faiths during her upbringing, occasionally attending a "Christian–Hindu hybrid church" called the Self-Realization Fellowship with her father.
Brie's educational journey led her to South Pasadena High School, where she graduated in 2001. After high school, she embarked on a unique summer job, working as a clown at children's birthday parties.
She continued her academic pursuits at the California Institute of the Arts, where she earned a bachelor's degree in theater in 2005. Her dedication to her craft took her overseas for a year, as she studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland.
Alison Brie's upbringing and educational background provide a rich tapestry of experiences that have undoubtedly influenced her career in the entertainment industry.
Alison Brie's journey in the entertainment industry began on stage at the Jewish Community Center in Southern California. Her talent soon caught the attention of television producers, leading to her first television role in 2006 as Nina, a novice hairdresser, on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana.
However, it was her portrayal of Trudy Campbell in the critically acclaimed AMC period drama series Mad Men (2007–2015) that catapulted her to widespread recognition. Her performance in the series earned her the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
From 2009 to 2015, Brie further showcased her versatility as Annie Edison on the NBC/Yahoo! View sitcom Community, a role that earned her acclaim and nominations for various awards. During this time, she also co-hosted an episode of Attack of the Show! and appeared in a segment on Web Soup.
Brie's talents extended beyond television as she took on major film roles, including appearances in Scream 4 (2011), The Five-Year Engagement (2012), and The Lego Movie (2014), where she voiced Princess Unikitty. She also lent her voice to the character of Diane Nguyen in the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman, a role she continues to portray.
In addition to her television and film work, Brie showcased her lip-syncing skills on Lip Sync Battle, where she emerged victorious against Will Arnett with captivating performances.
Her film credits include roles in romantic comedies such as Sleeping with Other People (2015) and How to Be Single (2016), demonstrating her range as an actress.
Alison Brie's career trajectory reflects her versatility, talent, and ability to excel across various mediums within the entertainment industry.
Alison Brie's career continued to thrive in 2017, with notable roles in several films, including the historical comedy The Little Hours, the biographical comedy-drama The Disaster Artist, and the historical drama The Post. However, it was her starring role as Ruth Wilder in the Netflix comedy-drama series GLOW that garnered significant attention and critical acclaim. Brie's portrayal of the aspiring actress turned wrestler earned her multiple award nominations, including for the Critics' Choice Television Award and the Golden Globe Award.
In the following years, Brie remained active in both film and television. She appeared in the music video for Beck's "Colors" in 2018 and reprised her voice role as Princess Unikitty in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part in 2019. Additionally, she starred in the drama thriller film Promising Young Woman and wrote, produced, and starred in the Netflix drama film Horse Girl in 2020.
Brie continued to showcase her versatility in various genres, starring in horror films like The Rental and romantic comedies like Happiest Season. She also lent her voice to the animated sitcom Rick and Morty in 2021.
In 2022, Brie took on the role of co-writer and star in the dark comedy film Spin Me Round, further demonstrating her creative talents. She also appeared in an episode of the Apple TV+ anthology TV series ROAR.
Looking ahead, Brie's involvement in projects such as the Community film and the romantic comedy film Somebody I Used to Know, which she wrote and starred in alongside her husband Dave Franco, showcases her commitment to both acting and storytelling. Additionally, her casting in Peacock's limited TV series adaptation of the Liane Moriarty novel Apples Never Fall highlights her continued prominence in the industry.
References
- "Alison Brie". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
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- ^ Banin, Jana (May 9, 2013). "Alison Brie on her very Jewish mother". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ^ Fragoso, Sam (January 27, 2017). "At Sundance, Alison Brie Steers the Conversation Back to Nudity". Vogue magazine. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- ^ Morrow, Brendan (June 23, 2017). "Alison Brie's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- ^ Aftab, Kaleem (December 28, 2015). "Alison Brie on 'Sleeping with Other People', 'Mad Men', and being a very serious actress". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
- ^ "At Sundance, Alison Brie Steers the Conversation Back to Nudity". January 27, 2017.
- ^ 'Schermerhorn' is a Dutch toponymic surname.
- ^ "All You Need To Know About Alison Brie - American Actress, Writer, and Producer". AP NEWS. January 10, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.