Laura Allen | |
---|---|
Born | Portland, Oregon, U.S. | March 21, 1974
Alma mater | Wellesley College |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2000–present |
Spouse |
Bruce Weyman (m. 2006) |
Children | 2 |
Laura Allen (born March 21, 1974)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles on the ABC Daytime soap opera All My Children (2000–2002) and the USA Network television series The 4400 (2004–2005, 2007). She has also been a regular cast member on Dirt (2007 to 2008), Terriers (2010), and Awake (2012).
Early life
[edit]Allen was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington.[1] She is the middle child of three sisters.[2] She attended Wellesley College as a sociology major and graduated in 1996. She worked with the NYPD as a domestic violence counselor before pursuing acting.[3]
Career
[edit]1997–2002: Early work and All My Children
[edit]While pursuing her career in social work, Allen became drawn to the theatre. She took a job as a crew member for the Blue Man Group, then won a role as Maid Marion in a touring production of Robin Hood. Despite the grueling experience of the Robin Hood tour, Allen decided she wanted to focus on acting.[4]
Allen began working as a waitress while interning at the MCC Theater, where she met Robert LuPone. He mentored her, teaching her the Meisner technique and introducing her to her first agent.[4] Allen turned down a role on Sex and the City when she learned that it would require nudity. She won a guest starring role on The Street.[2]
She auditioned unsuccessfully for the roles of Michelle Bauer on Guiding Light and Melanie MacIver on One Life to Live before being cast as Laura Kirk-English on All My Children. The role had previously been played by Lauren Roman. Allen played Laura from October 2000 to January 2002.[2]
2003–2008: The 4400 and Dirt
[edit]After departing AMC, Allen went on to play Susan Delacorte in Mike Newell's Mona Lisa Smile.[5] On television, she guest starred on Cold Case, North Shore, House, and Criminal Minds.[2][6] In 2004, Allen was cast as Samantha Wade in Sucker Free City, a Showtime film directed by Spike Lee.[7] This was followed by a leading role as Jane Carol Webb in the film How You Look to Me.[4][8]
She landed a starring role on USA Network's hit series, The 4400, playing the role of Lily Tyler.[4] However, her character was written out of the show before its third season. She reprised the role of Lily Tyler in 2007 in the fourth season of The 4400 for one episode.[9][10]
In 2007, Allen was cast in a regular role on the FX drama series Dirt, playing Julia Mallory.[10] She guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and appeared in the films From Within and The Collective.[10][11][2][12]
2009–2012: Terriers and Awake
[edit]Allen played a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy in 2009 as the ex-lover of Owen (Kevin McKidd).[13] She guest starred on CSI: Miami and appeared in the films Hysteria and Old Dogs.[12][2]
She played Linda in the 2010 comedy film Cherry, co-starring with Kyle Gallner.[14] Allen then had a regular role as Katie Nichols on the short-lived FX series Terriers in 2010.[15] In 2012, she was initially cast in a supporting role on the NBC series Awake (then titled REM), but was promoted to a leading role as Hannah Britten.[16][17]
Allen was cast in a Lifetime pilot, The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, in 2012.[18] In early 2013, it was announced that the project wasn't going forward.[19]
2014–present
[edit]In 2014, Allen had a recurring role as Rochelle Matheson on Ravenswood, a spinoff of Pretty Little Liars.[20] She portrayed Meg in the horror film Clown.[12][21][22][23] Allen starred as Linda Kessler in the Lifetime movie Nanny Cam.[24][20] She also had a guest starring role on NCIS: New Orleans.[6]
Allen was cast as Olivia in Marvel's Most Wanted, a proposed spinoff of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2016.[25] The project was dropped before it could air. In May 2016, Allen guest starred on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.[12] She had a recurring role as Rosie on American Horror Story: Cult in 2017.[26]
In the 2018 film The Tale, a drama about sexual abuse, Allen played a younger version of Ellen Burstyn's character.[27] She continued to take on dramatic roles, appearing in the short film Unspeakable, directed by Milena Govich.[28] On television, she had a regular role as Officer Reynolds in the third season of Hap and Leonard.[29]
Allen had recurring roles on 9-1-1 and Suits in 2019.[6][30] In 2024, she began appearing in the recurring role of Chief Robinson on Chicago Fire.[30]
Personal life
[edit]After leaving All My Children in 2002, Allen took a ten week training course to become an Emergency medical technician.[4]
Allen began dating model and cyclist Bruce Weyman in 2004. They were married at Relais Palazzo del Capitano in Pienza, Italy on September 23, 2006. They have two sons.[31] Their first son was born on September 3, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.[32]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | A Tale of Two | Limo Girl | Short film |
Mona Lisa Smile | Susan Delacorte | ||
2005 | How You Look to Me | Jane Carol Webb | |
2008 | From Within | Trish | |
The Collective | Clare | ||
2009 | Old Dogs | Kelly | |
2010 | Cherry | Linda | |
Hysteria | Erin | ||
2013 | Red Car | Marilyn | Short film |
2014 | Clown | Meg McCoy | |
2017 | Tulip Fever | Buxom Wench | |
2018 | The Tale | Young Nettie | |
Unspeakable | Marie Deguire | Short film | |
2019 | One Foot in Front | The Mom | Short film |
2020 | Last Looks | Friend | Short film |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | The Street | Jennifer | Episode: "Pilot" |
2000–2002 | All My Children | Laura Kirk-English | Contract role |
2004 | Cold Case | Vanessa Prosser | Episode: "Late Returns" |
North Shore | Monique | Episode: "More" | |
Sucker Free City | Samantha Wade | Television film | |
2004–2005; 2007 | The 4400 | Lily Tyler | Main cast (seasons 1–2) |
2006 | House | Sarah Alston | Episode: "All In" |
2007 | Criminal Minds | Bobbi Baird | Episode: "Open Season" |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Cass Magnall | Episode: "Alternate" | |
2007–2008 | Dirt | Julia Mallory | Main cast |
2009 | Grey's Anatomy | Beth Whitman | Episodes: "Beat Your Heart Out", "Before and After" |
CSI: Miami | Sondra Moore | Episode: "Dissolved" | |
2010 | Terriers | Katie Nichols | Main cast |
2012 | Awake | Hannah Britten | Main cast |
2013 | Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives | Alison Dunn | Unaired pilot |
2013–2014 | Ravenswood | Rochelle Matheson | 6 episodes |
2014 | NCIS: New Orleans | Katherine Wilson | Episode: "Watch Over Me" |
Nanny Cam | Linda Kessler | Television film | |
2015; 2019 | Suits | Lily Specter | Episodes: "Hitting Home", "Faith", "Thunder Away" |
2016 | Marvel's Most Wanted | Olivia | Unaired pilot |
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders | Emily Wagner | Episode: "Paper Orphans" | |
2017 | American Horror Story: Cult | Rosie | Episodes: "Neighbors from Hell", "Holes" |
Wisdom of the Crowd | Shelly Walsh | Episode: "Clear History" | |
2018 | 9-1-1 | Marcy Nash | Episodes: "Point of Origin", "Bobby Begins Again" |
Hap and Leonard | Officer Reynolds | 5 episodes | |
2019–2021 | Truth Be Told | Alana Cave | 5 episodes |
2024 | Chicago Fire | Chief Robinson | 4 episodes |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Baker, Jeff (April 28, 2014). "18 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "About the Actors: Laura Allen". Soap Central. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Bio". Lauraallen.net. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Kuhn, Sarah (November 5, 2019). "Laura Allen: Down to Earth". Backstage. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Rooney, David (December 9, 2003). "Mona Lisa Smile". Variety. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Laura Allen". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Rooney, David (September 16, 2004). "Sucker Free City". Variety. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "'Look' looks about done". Variety. March 17, 2005. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Patrick. "What Happened To 4400's Lily?". Archived from the original on July 15, 2006. Retrieved December 11, 2006.
- ^ a b c Webb Mitovich, Matt (August 17, 2007). "Laura Allen Has the Dirt on The 4400's Surprising Reunion". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "The Collective". Brooklyn Film Festival. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Interview: Laura Allen (Clown)". Gruesome Magazine. August 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Cellura, Regan (January 14, 2009). "AMC's Laura Allen Cast on Grey's Anatomy". Daytime Confidential. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Hale, Mike (November 4, 2010). "A Freshman Year to Remember". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Bellafante, Gina (September 7, 2010). "In a Golden Land, but Grateful for Brass Rings". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Stanley, Alessandra (February 29, 2012). "Choose a Reality? If Only He Could". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 21, 2011). "Pilot Rarity: Laura Allen Promoted To Female Lead On NBC's 'REM'". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Kerr, Luke (October 15, 2012). "Laura Allen Uncovers The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives". Daytime Confidential. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 16, 2013). "Lifetime's Kim Raver Starrer 'Secret Lives of Wives' Not Moving Forward". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Kay, Ariel (December 28, 2014). "'Nanny Cam's Star Used To Work with the NYPD". Bustle. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Miska, Brad (March 7, 2015). "'Clown' Clip Enters a Jungle Gym of Terror". Bloody Disgusting!. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Gareth (February 28, 2015). "Clown (UK DVD)". Dread Central. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Barton, Steve (February 27, 2015). "Eli Roth's Clown Gets a New UK Trailer". Dread Central. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Nanny Cam – MarVista Entertainment Archived February 13, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Marvel's Most Wanted – 2016". AV Club. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Nemetz, Dave (July 19, 2017). "American Horror Story: Lena Dunham Books Season 7 Role (Yes, Really)". TV Line. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (January 20, 2018). "'The Tale': Film Review | Sundance 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Unspeakable". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Keene, Allison (March 14, 2018). "'Hap and Leonard' EP on Florida's Journey & Balancing Humor with Serious Darkness". Collider. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Poisuo, Pauli (April 5, 2024). "Why Chicago Fire's Chief Robinson Looks So Familiar". Looper. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ West, Frances (March 18, 2024). "Everything You Need to Know About Dirt Star Laura Allen's Husband, Bruce Weyman!". Married Biography. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Laura Allen Welcomes Son Harper Edward". People. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Laura Allen at IMDb
- Laura Allen at AllMovie