Elisa Donovan
Encyclopedia
Elisa Donovan is an American
actress.
, the daughter of Charlotte and Jack Donovan, who was a business executive. She later changed her first name to "Elisa" when she had to join the stage union, Actor's Equity, because there was already an actress in that union named Lisa Donovan. She grew up on Long Island
where she was an accomplished gymnast
, dancer and equestrian
. She began studying acting at age 12. She attended The New School
, in New York City
, where she studied writing, literature and acting. She moved to Los Angeles
, in 1994, and got her first sitcom role on, "Blossom
."
, Beverly Hills, 90210
as "Ginger LaMonica" and playing "Morgan Cavanaugh" on the television sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. She has also recently played "Sharona" on Disney's "Sonny With a Chance
," and will be seen in the upcoming films "Complacent" and "The Dog Who Saved Christmas
." Donovan is currently starring in the web-series, The Lake, on TheWB
.com. Additionally, Donovan is playing "Gayle," an insurance agent in the small town of "Maple Grove," in the popular web series, "In Gayle We Trust," on NBC.com. "Gayle" can also be seen on the American Family Insurance
website, www.amfam.com.
She has also recently (2009) had a part in the movie A Golden Christmas. In the film, she played Anna, the funny, younger sister of the main character.
In 2006 she played a guest role in the NCIS
episode "Dead and Unburied".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress.
Early life
Donovan was born Lisa Adaline Donovan in Poughkeepsie, New YorkPoughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, the daughter of Charlotte and Jack Donovan, who was a business executive. She later changed her first name to "Elisa" when she had to join the stage union, Actor's Equity, because there was already an actress in that union named Lisa Donovan. She grew up on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
where she was an accomplished gymnast
Gymnast
Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics, trampolining, or rhythmic gymnastics.See gymnasium for the origin of the word gymnast from gymnastikos.-Female artistic:Australia...
, dancer and equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
. She began studying acting at age 12. She attended The New School
The New School
The New School is a university in New York City, located mostly in Greenwich Village. From its founding in 1919 by progressive New York academics, and for most of its history, the university was known as the New School for Social Research. Between 1997 and 2005 it was known as New School University...
, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where she studied writing, literature and acting. She moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, in 1994, and got her first sitcom role on, "Blossom
Blossom (TV series)
Blossom is an American sitcom broadcast on NBC from January 3, 1991 to May 22, 1995. The series stars Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo, a teenage girl living with her father and two brothers. It was created by Don Reo.- Synopsis :...
."
Career
Donovan's breakthrough role was in the film Clueless as Amber, Cher's nemesis. Donovan also reprised her role in the television series of the same name. Other notable roles included the film A Night at the RoxburyA Night at the Roxbury
A Night at the Roxbury is a 1998 comedy film based on a recurring skit on television's long-running Saturday Night Live called "The Roxbury Guys." Saturday Night Live regulars Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Molly Shannon, and Colin Quinn star....
, Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
as "Ginger LaMonica" and playing "Morgan Cavanaugh" on the television sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. She has also recently played "Sharona" on Disney's "Sonny With a Chance
Sonny With a Chance
Sonny with a Chance is an American children's sitcom which aired on Disney Channel, created by Steve Marmel, that follows the experiences of teenager Sonny Munroe, portrayed by Demi Lovato, who becomes the newest accepted cast member of her favorite live comedy show, So Random!.The series debuted...
," and will be seen in the upcoming films "Complacent" and "The Dog Who Saved Christmas
The Dog Who Saved Christmas
The Dog Who Saved Christmas is a TV movie starring Dean Cain, Gary Valentine and the voice of Mario López. It was written by childhood friends Michael Ciminera and Richard Gnolfo, and premiered on ABC Family on November 29, 2009 during their Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas programming block...
." Donovan is currently starring in the web-series, The Lake, on TheWB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
.com. Additionally, Donovan is playing "Gayle," an insurance agent in the small town of "Maple Grove," in the popular web series, "In Gayle We Trust," on NBC.com. "Gayle" can also be seen on the American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance is a private mutual company that focuses on property, casualty and auto insurance, but also offers commercial insurance, life, health, and homeowners coverage, as well as investment and retirement-planning products...
website, www.amfam.com.
She has also recently (2009) had a part in the movie A Golden Christmas. In the film, she played Anna, the funny, younger sister of the main character.
In 2006 she played a guest role in the NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
episode "Dead and Unburied".