Thora Birch
Encyclopedia
Thora Birch is an American actress. She was a child actor
in the 1990s, starring in movies such as All I Want for Christmas
(1991), Patriot Games
(1992), Hocus Pocus (1993), Now and Then (1995), and Alaska
(1996). She came to prominence in 1999 after earning worldwide attention and praise for her performance in American Beauty
. She then starred in the well received film Ghost World
(2001), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
, California, the eldest child of Jack Birch and Carol Connors. Her parents, who were her business managers from the start, are former adult film actors
and both appeared in the pornographic film Deep Throat
. Birch is of German Jewish
, Nordic
, and Italian ancestry
. The family's original surname was Biersch, coming from her German Jewish ancestors. Her name Thora is derived from the name of the Norse God of thunder and lightning, Thor
. She has a younger brother, Bolt.
Due to their own experience with acting, Birch's parents were reticent to encourage her in the profession, but were persuaded to show her photograph to agents by a babysitter who noticed her imitating commercials. She landed several parts in the late '80s, including advertisements for Burger King
, California Raisins, Quaker Oats
, and Vlasic Pickles. Her first acting job followed.
. She was billed simply as "Thora". That same year she won a part in the movie Purple People Eater
opposite Ned Beatty
and Neil Patrick Harris
. Her performance won her a Youth In Film Award. Birch played as 'tomboy
' Billie Pike in the movie Paradise
which also starred Don Johnson
, Melanie Griffith
, and Elijah Wood
. To obtain the role, she had to compete with more than 4,000 other young hopefuls who auditioned for it. Birch received critical praise for her performance.
Birch's ability to portray herself as a young tomboy landed her several parts during the period of 1991–1995, including the role of Dani in Hocus Pocus (1993). She won leading roles in such films as All I Want for Christmas
(1991) and Monkey Trouble
(1994). She appeared in two Harrison Ford
films, Patriot Games
(1992) and its sequel, Clear and Present Danger
(1994), where she played Sally Ryan, the daughter of Ford's character Jack Ryan.
Birch's performance in the 1995 film Now and Then teamed her with Gaby Hoffmann
, Christina Ricci
, Demi Moore
, Rosie O'Donnell
, and Melanie Griffith
.
(1996). She played the role of Jessie Barnes, who has moved to Alaska with her father (played by Dirk Benedict
) and brother after the death of her mother.
After guest-starring appearances in The Outer Limits
, Promised Land, and Touched by an Angel
, Birch took a break from acting. In 1999, she returned in the made-for-TV movie
Night Ride Home and also took a small uncredited role in the Natalie Portman
film Anywhere but Here. She was initially cast in the role of Tammy Metzler in the dark-comedy Election
, but ended up leaving after only the third day of filming due to disagreements with director/writer Alexander Payne
.
Later in 1999, Birch won critical praise playing the role of Jane Burnham in American Beauty
and was nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts
award. The movie itself went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture
. As Birch was 16 at the time she made the film, and thus classified as a minor
in the United States, her parents had to approve her brief topless scene in the movie. They and child labor representatives were on the set for the shooting of the scene.
After leading roles in The Smokers
(2000), Dungeons & Dragons
(2000), and The Hole
(2001), Birch landed the leading role in Ghost World
(2001), alongside Scarlett Johansson
, Steve Buscemi
, and Brad Renfro
. She was nominated for a Golden Globe
for her performance.
in the made-for-TV movie
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story
(2003), for which she received a Emmy nomination, and she appeared as Karen in Silver City (2004). She starred in the films Dark Corners
, in which she appeared in the lead role, and Train
.
Birch has indicated that she aspires to become a director and has recently begun directing short video sketches for a sketch comedy
troupe called The Doomed Planet
.
In 2009, she starred alongside Brittany Murphy
in the horror film Deadline
and appeared in Winter of Frozen Dreams
. In January 2010, Birch played Sidney Bloom in the Lifetime movie, The Pregnancy Pact.
Birch was cast and scheduled to make her American stage debut in the off Broadway revival of Dracula, but was fired for reasons apparently involving her father's interference four days before the show's first performance.
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
in the 1990s, starring in movies such as All I Want for Christmas
All I Want for Christmas (film)
All I Want for Christmas is a 1991 American comedy movie that stars Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch and Ethan Randall. It was directed by Robert Lieberman. Music by Bruce Broughton including a theme setting song by Stephen Bishop. The movie is rated G in the USA.-Plot:Two New York children know what...
(1991), Patriot Games
Patriot Games (film)
Patriot Games is a 1992 film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom Clancy's the novel of the same name. It is a sequel to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October. In the movie, Jack Ryan is played by Harrison Ford, Jack's surgeon-wife, Dr...
(1992), Hocus Pocus (1993), Now and Then (1995), and Alaska
Alaska (film)
Alaska is a 1996 action-adventure film that centers on two children who search through the Alaskan wilderness for their lost father. During their journey they find a polar bear that helps lead them to their father...
(1996). She came to prominence in 1999 after earning worldwide attention and praise for her performance in American Beauty
American Beauty (film)
American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged magazine writer who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela...
. She then starred in the well received film Ghost World
Ghost World (film)
Ghost World is a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Terry Zwigoff, based on the comic book of the same name and screenplay by Daniel Clowes...
(2001), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Early life
Birch was born in Los AngelesLos 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...
, California, the eldest child of Jack Birch and Carol Connors. Her parents, who were her business managers from the start, are former adult film actors
Pornographic actor
A pornographic actor/actress or a porn star is a person who appears in pornographic film. Most actors appear nude in films...
and both appeared in the pornographic film Deep Throat
Deep Throat (film)
Deep Throat is a 1972 American pornographic film written and directed by Gerard Damiano and produced by Louis Peraino and starring Linda Lovelace ....
. Birch is of German Jewish
History of the Jews in Germany
The presence of Jews in Germany has been established since the early 4th century. The community prospered under Charlemagne, but suffered during the Crusades...
, Nordic
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
, and Italian ancestry
. The family's original surname was Biersch, coming from her German Jewish ancestors. Her name Thora is derived from the name of the Norse God of thunder and lightning, Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
. She has a younger brother, Bolt.
Due to their own experience with acting, Birch's parents were reticent to encourage her in the profession, but were persuaded to show her photograph to agents by a babysitter who noticed her imitating commercials. She landed several parts in the late '80s, including advertisements for Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
, California Raisins, Quaker Oats
Quaker Oats Company
The Quaker Oats Company is an American food conglomerate based in Chicago. It has been owned by Pepsico since 2001.-History:Quaker Oats was founded in 1901 by the merger of four oat mills:...
, and Vlasic Pickles. Her first acting job followed.
Early career, 1988–1995
In 1988, she landed the role of Molly in the short-lived television series Day By DayDay by Day (TV series)
Day by Day is an American sitcom starring Douglas Sheehan, Linda Kelsey, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith , and Thora Birch...
. She was billed simply as "Thora". That same year she won a part in the movie Purple People Eater
Purple People Eater (film)
Purple People Eater is a 1988 American children's film that was produced in 1988 and released theatrically in December 1988, playing for years on the Disney Channel. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, and Thora Birch...
opposite Ned Beatty
Ned Beatty
Ned Thomas Beatty is an American actor who has appeared in more than 100 films and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and a Golden Globe Award; won a Drama Desk Award....
and Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, and magician.Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., Colonel Carl Jenkins in Starship Troopers, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold...
. Her performance won her a Youth In Film Award. Birch played as 'tomboy
Tomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
' Billie Pike in the movie Paradise
Paradise (1991 film)
Paradise is a 1991 film written and directed by Mary Agnes Donoghue. The original music score is composed by David Newman.Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy...
which also starred Don Johnson
Don Johnson
Donnie Wayne "Don" Johnson is an American actor known for his work in television and film. He played the lead role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s TV cop series, Miami Vice, which led him to huge success. He also played the lead role in the 1990s cop series, Nash Bridges...
, Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She is an Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner for her performance in the 1988 film Working Girl...
, and Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor. He made his film debut with a minor part in Back to the Future Part II , then landed a succession of larger roles that made him a critically acclaimed child actor by age 9. He is best known for his high-profile role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's...
. To obtain the role, she had to compete with more than 4,000 other young hopefuls who auditioned for it. Birch received critical praise for her performance.
Birch's ability to portray herself as a young tomboy landed her several parts during the period of 1991–1995, including the role of Dani in Hocus Pocus (1993). She won leading roles in such films as All I Want for Christmas
All I Want for Christmas (film)
All I Want for Christmas is a 1991 American comedy movie that stars Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch and Ethan Randall. It was directed by Robert Lieberman. Music by Bruce Broughton including a theme setting song by Stephen Bishop. The movie is rated G in the USA.-Plot:Two New York children know what...
(1991) and Monkey Trouble
Monkey Trouble
Monkey Trouble is a 1994 family film directed by Franco Amurri starring Thora Birch.-Plot:Nine-year-old Eva Gregory longs for a pet to call her own, but her mother does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather is allergic to fur...
(1994). She appeared in two Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
films, Patriot Games
Patriot Games (film)
Patriot Games is a 1992 film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom Clancy's the novel of the same name. It is a sequel to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October. In the movie, Jack Ryan is played by Harrison Ford, Jack's surgeon-wife, Dr...
(1992) and its sequel, Clear and Present Danger
Clear and Present Danger (film)
Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 film directed by Phillip Noyce, based on the book of the same name by Tom Clancy. It is a subsequent release to the 1992 film Patriot Games, which in itself is a subsequent release to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October.It is the last film to feature Harrison...
(1994), where she played Sally Ryan, the daughter of Ford's character Jack Ryan.
Birch's performance in the 1995 film Now and Then teamed her with Gaby Hoffmann
Gaby Hoffmann
Gabriella Mary "Gaby" Hoffmann is an American actress.-Birth:Hoffmann was born in New York City. Her mother, Viva , is an actress and writer and appeared in many of Andy Warhol's movies during the 1960s...
, Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci is an American actress. Ricci received initial recognition and praise as a child star for her performance as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values , and her role as Kat Harvey in Casper...
, Demi Moore
Demi Moore
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
, Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
, and Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She is an Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner for her performance in the 1988 film Working Girl...
.
Worldwide recognition, 1996–2001
In 1996, she landed a leading role in the adventure film, AlaskaAlaska (film)
Alaska is a 1996 action-adventure film that centers on two children who search through the Alaskan wilderness for their lost father. During their journey they find a polar bear that helps lead them to their father...
(1996). She played the role of Jessie Barnes, who has moved to Alaska with her father (played by Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict is an American movie, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for playing the characters Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck in The A-Team television series and Lieutenant Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica film and television series.-Early life:Benedict was born...
) and brother after the death of her mother.
After guest-starring appearances in The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)
The Outer Limits is an American television series that originally aired on Showtime,the Sci Fi Channel and in syndication between 1995 and 2002...
, Promised Land, and Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
, Birch took a break from acting. In 1999, she returned in the made-for-TV movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
Night Ride Home and also took a small uncredited role in the Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
film Anywhere but Here. She was initially cast in the role of Tammy Metzler in the dark-comedy Election
Election (1999 film)
Election is a 1999 American comedy film adapted from a 1998 novel of the same title by Tom Perrotta. The plot revolves around a three-way election race in high school, and satirizes both suburban high school life and politics...
, but ended up leaving after only the third day of filming due to disagreements with director/writer Alexander Payne
Alexander Payne
Alexander Payne, born Alexander Constantine Papadopoulos is an American film director and screenwriter. His films are noted for their dark humor and satirical depictions of contemporary American society.- Early life :...
.
Later in 1999, Birch won critical praise playing the role of Jane Burnham in American Beauty
American Beauty (film)
American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged magazine writer who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela...
and was nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
award. The movie itself went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture
Academy Award for Best Picture
The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to artists working in the motion picture industry. The Best Picture category is the only category in which every member of the Academy is eligible not only...
. As Birch was 16 at the time she made the film, and thus classified as a minor
Minor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
in the United States, her parents had to approve her brief topless scene in the movie. They and child labor representatives were on the set for the shooting of the scene.
After leading roles in The Smokers
The Smokers
-Plot:Three rebellious teenage girls decide to even the score in the battle of the sexes. Looking back a few years after the events depicted, Jefferson Roth tells the story of the last few months of her senior year at a Wisconsin boarding school when she and two girl friends, the naive Lisa and the...
(2000), Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons (film)
Dungeons & Dragons is a 2000 American fantasy film directed by Courtney Solomon and ostensibly based on the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game...
(2000), and The Hole
The Hole (2001 film)
The Hole is a 2001 psychological thriller film directed by Nick Hamm, based on the novel After the Hole by Guy Burt.The film starred Thora Birch, whose headlining credit and highly-publicized seven-figure salary was attributed to her appearance in American Beauty...
(2001), Birch landed the leading role in Ghost World
Ghost World (film)
Ghost World is a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Terry Zwigoff, based on the comic book of the same name and screenplay by Daniel Clowes...
(2001), alongside Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
, Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi
Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
, and Brad Renfro
Brad Renfro
Brad Barron Renfro was an American actor. He made his film debut in 1994 at age 12 in the lead role of Joel Schumacher's The Client, going on to star in 21 feature films, several short films, and two television episodes during his career. Much of his later career was marred by a pattern of...
. She was nominated for a Golden Globe
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for her performance.
2002–2011
Birch played as Liz MurrayLiz Murray
Elizabeth "Liz" Murray is an American inspirational speaker who is best known as having been homeless in her youth, and as having overcome her hardship to achieve success.- Biography :...
in the made-for-TV movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story is an American TV film directed by Peter Levin. It was first released on April 7, 2003 in the United States. This movie is adapted from Liz Murray's autobiography, which named Breaking Night, written by herself....
(2003), for which she received a Emmy nomination, and she appeared as Karen in Silver City (2004). She starred in the films Dark Corners
Dark Corners
Dark Corners is a 2006 horror-thriller film starring Thora Birch as a woman who can't escape her bad dreams. The line begins to blur between reality and the horror that lives in her mind, making everyone wonder what's really happening.-Cast:...
, in which she appeared in the lead role, and Train
Train (2008 film)
Train is a 2008 horror film, directed and written by Gideon Raff; the movie stars Thora Birch and Gideon Emery.-Synopsis:In Eastern Europe, a group of American college athletes unknowingly board a train that will become one deadly ride....
.
Birch has indicated that she aspires to become a director and has recently begun directing short video sketches for a sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
troupe called The Doomed Planet
The Doomed Planet
The Doomed Planet is a group of independent artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers, comedians, and poets who are banding together to share their work with the public. Founded by David Guy Levy and Trevor Ryan, The Doomed Planet is unique in that it contains no user-generated material, rather, it...
.
In 2009, she starred alongside Brittany Murphy
Brittany Murphy
Brittany Anne Murphy-Monjack , known professionally as Brittany Murphy, was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Just Married, Girl Interrupted, Spun, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys...
in the horror film Deadline
Deadline (2009 film)
Deadline is a direct-to-video psychological thriller film directed by Sean McConville starring Brittany Murphy and Thora Birch.-Plot:Alice Evans needs to complete a screenplay, which she has not finished due to a psychological breakdown after her boyfriend tried to kill her...
and appeared in Winter of Frozen Dreams
Winter of Frozen Dreams
Winter of Frozen Dreams was filmed in 2006 crime drama directed by Eric Mandelbaum, and starring Thora Birch, Keith Carradine, and Brendan Sexton III.Filmed in Schenectady N.Y...
. In January 2010, Birch played Sidney Bloom in the Lifetime movie, The Pregnancy Pact.
Birch was cast and scheduled to make her American stage debut in the off Broadway revival of Dracula, but was fired for reasons apparently involving her father's interference four days before the show's first performance.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Purple People Eater Purple People Eater (film) Purple People Eater is a 1988 American children's film that was produced in 1988 and released theatrically in December 1988, playing for years on the Disney Channel. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, and Thora Birch... |
Molly Johnson | Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Under Nine Years of Age Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1991 | Paradise Paradise (1991 film) Paradise is a 1991 film written and directed by Mary Agnes Donoghue. The original music score is composed by David Newman.Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy... |
Billie Pike | |
| 1991 | All I Want for Christmas All I Want for Christmas (film) All I Want for Christmas is a 1991 American comedy movie that stars Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch and Ethan Randall. It was directed by Robert Lieberman. Music by Bruce Broughton including a theme setting song by Stephen Bishop. The movie is rated G in the USA.-Plot:Two New York children know what... |
Hallie O'Fallon | Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Leading Actress – Motion Picture Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1992 | Patriot Games Patriot Games (film) Patriot Games is a 1992 film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom Clancy's the novel of the same name. It is a sequel to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October. In the movie, Jack Ryan is played by Harrison Ford, Jack's surgeon-wife, Dr... |
Sally Ryan | Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Under Ten – Motion Picture Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1992 | Little Girl (voice) | ||
| 1993 | Hocus Pocus | Dani | |
| 1994 | Clear and Present Danger Clear and Present Danger (film) Clear and Present Danger is a 1994 film directed by Phillip Noyce, based on the book of the same name by Tom Clancy. It is a subsequent release to the 1992 film Patriot Games, which in itself is a subsequent release to the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October.It is the last film to feature Harrison... |
Sally Ryan | |
| 1994 | Monkey Trouble Monkey Trouble Monkey Trouble is a 1994 family film directed by Franco Amurri starring Thora Birch.-Plot:Nine-year-old Eva Gregory longs for a pet to call her own, but her mother does not think she is responsible enough, and her stepfather is allergic to fur... |
Eva Gregory | |
| 1995 | Now and Then | Young Tina "Teeny" Tercell | |
| 1996 | Alaska Alaska (film) Alaska is a 1996 action-adventure film that centers on two children who search through the Alaskan wilderness for their lost father. During their journey they find a polar bear that helps lead them to their father... |
Jessie Barnes | Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Leading Actress – Feature Film Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1999 | American Beauty American Beauty (film) American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester Burnham, a middle-aged magazine writer who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela... |
Jane Burnham | Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress The San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award given by the San Diego Film Critics Society to honor the finest female acting achievementes in filmmaking.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actress – Feature Film Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... Young Hollywood Award for Best On-screen Chemistry shared with Wes Bentley Wes Bentley Wesley Cook "Wes" Bentley is an American film actor known for his role of Ricky Fitts in American Beauty.-Early life:Bentley was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of Cherie and David Bentley, who are United Methodist ministers.... Young Star Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Drama Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Best Actress in a Supporting Role is a British Academy Film award presented annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to recognize an actress who has delivered an outstanding supporting performance in a film... Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Supporting Actress – Drama Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress The Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress is an annual film award given by the Online Film Critics Society to honor the best supporting actress of the year.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... |
| 1999 | Anywhere but Here | Mary (uncredited) | |
| 2000 | Lincoln Roth | ||
| 2000 | Dungeons & Dragons Dungeons & Dragons (film) Dungeons & Dragons is a 2000 American fantasy film directed by Courtney Solomon and ostensibly based on the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game... |
Empress Savina | Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actress – Feature Film Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 2001 | Liz Dunn | ||
| 2001 | Ghost World Ghost World (film) Ghost World is a 2001 comedy-drama film directed by Terry Zwigoff, based on the comic book of the same name and screenplay by Daniel Clowes... |
Enid | Deauville Film Festival – Best Female Performance San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress The San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress is an award given by the San Diego Film Critics Society to honor the finest female acting achievementes in filmmaking.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress The Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress is one of the annual awards given by the Toronto Film Critics Association:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress is an annual award given by the Chicago Film Critics Association.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:-References:... Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Dressed MTV Movie Award for Best Dressed This is a following list for the MTV Movie Award winners for Best Dressed. The award was first introduced in 2001.It was last given out in 2002.... Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Line Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress The Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress is an annual film award given by the Online Film Critics Society to honor the best lead actress of the year.Reese Witherspoon and Naomi Watts have each won this award twice.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 2004 | Silver City | Karen Cross | |
| 2004 | Narrator (voice) | ||
| 2005 | Slingshot | April | |
| 2006 | Dark Corners Dark Corners Dark Corners is a 2006 horror-thriller film starring Thora Birch as a woman who can't escape her bad dreams. The line begins to blur between reality and the horror that lives in her mind, making everyone wonder what's really happening.-Cast:... |
Karen Clarke/Susan Hamilton | |
| 2008 | Train Train (2008 film) Train is a 2008 horror film, directed and written by Gideon Raff; the movie stars Thora Birch and Gideon Emery.-Synopsis:In Eastern Europe, a group of American college athletes unknowingly board a train that will become one deadly ride.... |
Alex | |
| 2009 | Deadline Deadline (2009 film) Deadline is a direct-to-video psychological thriller film directed by Sean McConville starring Brittany Murphy and Thora Birch.-Plot:Alice Evans needs to complete a screenplay, which she has not finished due to a psychological breakdown after her boyfriend tried to kill her... |
Lucy Woods | |
| 2009 | Winter of Frozen Dreams Winter of Frozen Dreams Winter of Frozen Dreams was filmed in 2006 crime drama directed by Eric Mandelbaum, and starring Thora Birch, Keith Carradine, and Brendan Sexton III.Filmed in Schenectady N.Y... |
Barbara Hoffman | |
| 2011 | Danielle | Pre-production | |
| 2011 | Crossmaglen | Nulla McGarvey | Pre-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988– 1989 |
Day by Day Day by Day (TV series) Day by Day is an American sitcom starring Douglas Sheehan, Linda Kelsey, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith , and Thora Birch... |
Molly | 21 episodes Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Ensemble – Comedy or Drama Series Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Under Nine Years of Age Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1989 | Doogie Howser, M.D. Doogie Howser, M.D. Doogie Howser, M.D. is an American television comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris as a 16-year-old doctor who also faces the problems of being a normal teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, ABC aired the show from 1989 to 1993 for four seasons totaling 97 episodes.-Plot:Dr.... |
Megan | Episode: "Vinnie Video Vici" (Credited As "Thora") |
| 1990 | Dark Avenger Dark Avenger Dark Avenger was a pseudonym of a computer virus writer from Sofia, Bulgaria. He gained considerable popularity during the early 1990s, as some of his viruses spread not only nationwide, but across Europe as well, even reaching the United States.... |
Susie Donovan | TV movie |
| 1990 | Married People Married People Married People is an American television situation comedy that aired on ABC as part of its 1990-91 schedule.-Synopsis:The series follows three couples in different stages of their relationships who lived in the same building in New York City... |
Emily | Episode: "To Live and Drive in New York" |
| 1990– 1991 |
Parenthood | Taylor Buckman | 12 episodes Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Supporting Actress – Television Series Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
| 1991 | Amen Amen (TV series) Amen is an American television sitcom produced by Carson Productions that ran from September 27, 1986 to May 11, 1991 on NBC. Set in Sherman Hemsley's real-life hometown of Philadelphia, Amen starred Hemsley as the deacon of a church and was part of a wave of successful sitcoms on NBC in the 1980s... |
Brittany | Episode: "Nothing Says Lovin'..." |
| 1992 | Sally Ryan | TV movie | |
| 1994 | Monty Monty (TV series) Monty is a short lived American sitcom that aired on the FOX network in 1994. The series starred Henry Winkler as a loud, obnoxious conservative TV commentator , Monty had also written a best-selling book tilted I'm Right. I'm Right. I'm Right. Shut Up... |
Ann Sherman | Episode: "Here Comes the Son" |
| 1995 | Blackbird Hall | TV movie | |
| 1995 | Aggie Travers | Episode: "The Choice" | |
| 1997 | Promised Land | Allison Rhodes | Episode: "Running Scared" |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della... |
Erin | Episode: "The Pact" |
| 1999 | Night Ride Home | Clea Mahler | TV movie |
| 2002 | Night Visions Night Visions Night Visions is an American television anthology series created in the style of The Twilight Zone. Each 43 minute episode was made up of two 21 to 22 minutes stories that dealt with themes of the supernatural or simply explored the dark side of human nature. Henry Rollins was the uncredited host... |
Susan Thornhill | Episode: "The Maze" |
| 2003 | Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story is an American TV film directed by Peter Levin. It was first released on April 7, 2003 in the United States. This movie is adapted from Liz Murray's autobiography, which named Breaking Night, written by herself.... |
Liz Murray Liz Murray Elizabeth "Liz" Murray is an American inspirational speaker who is best known as having been homeless in her youth, and as having overcome her hardship to achieve success.- Biography :... |
TV movie Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| 2005 | My Life as a Teenage Robot My Life as a Teenage Robot My Life as a Teenage Robot is an American animated television series, created by Rob Renzetti for Nickelodeon. The series follows the adventures of XJ-9, better known as Jenny Wakeman, a female robot designed to protect Earth, who is excessively addicted to teen-related activities, which are almost... |
Vega (voice) | Episode: "Escape from Cluster Prime Escape from Cluster Prime Escape from Cluster Prime is an animated television film, created by Rob Renzetti, and produced by Frederator Studios for the Nickelodeon cable channel. It was based on characters from the Nickelodeon animated television series My Life as a Teenage Robot... " |
| 2010 | Sidney Bloom | TV movie |