Alicia Witt | |
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 Witt in 2014 | |
| Born | Alicia Roanne Witt (1975-08-21)August 21, 1975 (age 49) Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
| Musical career | |
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Musical artist | |
| Website | aliciawittmusic |
Alicia Roanne Witt (born August 21, 1975) is an American actress and musician. She first came to fame as achild actress after being discovered byDavid Lynch, who cast her inDune (1984) andTwin Peaks (1990). Witt was a regular onCybill Shepherd's sitcomCybill (1995–1998) for four seasons, playing the title character's daughter, Zoe Woodbine. She had a critically acclaimed role as a disturbed teenager inFun (1994), appeared as a music student inMr. Holland's Opus (1995) and as a terrorized college student in the horror filmUrban Legend (1998). She appeared inVanilla Sky (2001),Two Weeks Notice (2002),Last Holiday (2006),88 Minutes (2007),I Care A Lot (2020) andLonglegs (2024). Witt has made television appearances in shows such asThe Walking Dead,The Sopranos,Friday Night Lights,Twin Peaks: The Return,CSI: Miami,Supernatural,Justified andOrange Is the New Black.
In addition to her acting, Witt is an accomplished pianist, singer, and songwriter. She has starred in nine annualHallmark Christmas films, the first broadcast in 2013. In her most recent Hallmark film,Christmas Tree Lane (2020), she was also executive producer and storywriter, and contributed two original songs which her character sings.
Witt was born on August 21, 1975[2] inWorcester, Massachusetts, to Diane (née Pietro), ajunior high school reading teacher, and Robert Witt, a science teacher and photographer. Her mother was an American andGuinness World Record holder for the longest hair[3] from 1989 to 1996.[citation needed] Witt has a brother, Ian.[4][5] Talking by age two and reading by the age of four,[2] she has been described as achild prodigy.[6] Her acting talent was recognized by directorDavid Lynch in 1980, when he heard her reciteShakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet on the television showThat's Incredible! at age five. Lynch began working with her in film and television before Witt earned herhigh-school equivalency credential at age 14. From the ages of 10 to 14, she took four piano lessons a week, including from aBoston University professor,[2] and competed nationally.[7]
Witt's discovery by Lynch led to her casting as the "flame-haired" child inDune (1984), asPaul Atreides's sisterAlia; she turned eight during filming.[8] She worked with Lynch again when she appeared in an episode ofTwin Peaks,[2] playing the younger sister ofLara Flynn Boyle's character Donna.
Her acting background led to small parts inMike Figgis'Liebestraum in 1991 (her brother Ian also appears), the Gen-X dramaBodies, Rest & Motion (1993), and the television filmThe Disappearance of Vonnie (1994). In 1994, Witt landed her first lead role in a film, playing a disturbed, murderous teenager inFun and receiving the Special Jury Recognition Award at theSundance Film Festival. Witt was then cast inFour Rooms[2] asMadonna's lover in the episode "The Missing Ingredient".
Witt was introduced to a larger audience in the role ofCybill Shepherd's daughter, Zoey Woodbine, in the sitcomCybill. While playing that part from 1995 to 1998, she also had film roles inStephen Herek'sMr. Holland's Opus,[9]Alexander Payne'sCitizen Ruth,[2]Robert Allan Ackerman'sPassion's Way (based on theEdith Wharton novel,The Reef) and Richard Sears' comedyBongwater. AfterCybill was cancelled, Witt went on to leading roles in Jamie Blanks' horror filmUrban Legend (1998),[2][9] and inKevin Altieri/Touchstone Pictures' limited-release animated featureGen13.
In 2000, Witt had starring roles on episodes of the television showsAlly McBeal andThe Sopranos, the lead role in the Matthew Huffman comedyPlaying Mona Lisa and a part inJohn Waters'Cecil B. Demented.[2]
Next, she acted in a small part inCameron Crowe'sVanilla Sky (2001). Witt played "Two", the college graduate discussing loss of her virginity, inRodrigo García'sTen Tiny Love Stories and played the role of promiscuous Barbie, half-sister of the title character, inAmerican Girl. Witt also appeared inMarc Lawrence's romantic comedyTwo Weeks Notice (2002).
In 2003–04, she lived in the United Kingdom (during this time she portrayedJoan Allen's daughter in the U.S.-based comic dramaThe Upside of Anger). Between the two projects, Witt went toSouth Africa to shoot a film interpretation of the epic poem "DasNibelungenlied", played one of the central characters,Kriemhild, in the German television filmKingdom in Twilight.Kingdom in Twilight has the titleDark Kingdom: The Dragon King in the U.S. andThe Ring of the Nibelungs andThe Sword of Xanten elsewhere.[citation needed]
Witt filmed theLast Holiday (2006) and the thriller88 Minutes (2007)[2] and joined the cast ofLaw & Order: Criminal Intent for the 2007–2008 season. In the latter she played DetectiveNola Falacci, a character temporarily replacingMegan Wheeler as DetectiveMike Logan's partner (who was away onmaternity leave) and was a recurring character in the 2007–2008 season.[10] Witt appeared in the role of Amy in the filmPeep World (2010).[2]
Witt appeared as the character Elaine Clayton inCowgirls 'n Angels (2012),[2] and in 2013, co-starred in the independent filmCold Turkey (oppositePeter Bogdanovich andCheryl Hines); therein, she additionally performed an original musical piece over the end credits. Her dramatic performance in this film was critically acclaimed,[11][12] withNew York Magazine's David Edelstein proclaiming her turn one of the top performances of 2013.[13] She appeared in four Christmas films in 2013: the feature filmTyler Perry'sA Madea Christmas,A Snow Globe Christmas for the Lifetime Channel andA Very Merry Mix-Up for the Hallmark Channel and in 2014, the Hallmark Channel'sChristmas at Cartwright's. Also in 2014, Witt appeared in a guest-starring role on theDirecTV series,Kingdom,[14] which aired that October.
In 2014, in the fifth season of the FX seriesJustified she played Wendy Crowe, the brightest member of a Floridian crime family that gets entangled in the show's events in Kentucky.[15] In April 2016, Witt appeared in two episodes ofThe Walking Dead;[16] the same month, it was announced that she would also be reprising her role as Gersten Hayward in the 2017Twin Peaks series.[17] Witt filmed a guest-starring role on season 12 ofSupernatural as Lily Sunder, a former enemy of Castiel's.[18] In 2019, she had a recurring role on the seventh season ofOrange Is the New Black as Zelda.
In 2022, Witt appeared in the crime thrillerAlice. In 2024, Witt starred inOz Perkins's horror filmLonglegs, oppositeMaika Monroe andNicolas Cage.[19]
Witt made her stage debut in 2001, atLos Angeles' historicTiffany Theater, in Robbie Fox's musicalThe Gift, in which she played a high-priced, albeit disease-carrying, stripper.
While in residence in the UK in 2004, she starred as Evelyn in a stage production ofNeil LaBute'sThe Shape of Things at theNew Ambassadors Theatre.[20][21] In September 2006, Witt returned to the London stage at theRoyal Court Theatre, in the critically well-receivedPiano/Forte, wherein she was "well-cast" in portraying the stammering, emotionally damaged pianist Abigail, sister to "unloved attention-seeker" Louise (Kelly Reilly).[22]
Witt performed alongsideAmber Tamblyn inNeil LaBute's play,Reasons to Be Pretty, at theGeffen Playhouse, which ran until August 31, 2014.[23][24]
In addition to acting, Witt is a professional singer-songwriter and pianist,[25] and is reported to have been amusical prodigy.[6] She played piano at the restaurant at theBeverly Wilshire Hotel in the early/mid 1990s.[7]
Responses to her 2006 stage portrayal of Abigail inPiano/Forte, which included scenes of piano-playing, noted her skill as an "outstanding pianist".[26]
In 2009, Witt released her self-titledextended play album,[27] followed byLive at Rockwood in 2012[28] andRevisionary History in 2015;[29][30] the latter was produced byBen Folds.[1] In 2013, Witt and Folds performed a song they had co-written on the soundtrack for the independent filmCold Turkey.The Nashville Scene said ofRevisionary History: "Witt's new albumRevisionary History is a piano-pop gem that sounds by turns like 'Grey Seal'–eraElton John, an alt-universeFiona Apple and a film-noir chanteuse notching her nights in cigarette burns on the fallboard."[31]
In 2016, Witt joined the cast of ABC'sNashville in a recurring capacity playing established country singer Autumn Chase. Witt performed several songs throughoutseason four.
In August 2018, Witt released a five-song EP album titled15,000 Days (a reference to the length of time she had been alive when she recorded the album) working with producer Jacquire King.[32][33] She is currently finishing recording her new album, which she co-produced with Jordan Lehning and Bill Reynolds. TitledThe Conduit, it was scheduled to be released in September (24th, most regions) of 2021.
In 2020, Witt released two new Christmas songs, as heard in her Hallmark Christmas film,Christmas Tree Lane. "Why Christmas" and "Christmas Will Never End" are performed on-screen by her character, music-store owner and songwriter Meg.[34][35]
In August 2023, Witt released the six-song EP,Witness.[9][36][37]
In September 1990, Witt competed onWheel of Fortune.[38]
Witt was ranked No. 72 and No. 64 on theMaxim Hot 100 Women (2000 and 2001, respectively).[39][40][41]
On June 14, 2004, Witt modeled what is believed to be the most expensive hat ever made, forChristie's auction house inLondon. TheChapeau d'Amour, designed by Louis Mariette, is valued at US$2.7 million and is encrusted in diamonds.[42][43]
On October 5, 2021, Witt released a book calledSmall Changes: A Rules-Free Guide to Add More Plant-Based Foods, Peace & Power to Your Life.
In 2023, Witt competed inseason nine ofThe Masked Singer as "Dandelion". While having bestedDee Snider as "Doll" andLou Diamond Phillips as "Mantis" (who was spared byRobin Thicke ringing the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell) on "WB Movie Night", she was eliminated in "Masked Singer in Space" alongsideMelissa Joan Hart as "Lamp".[44]
On December 20, 2021, Witt's parents were found dead in their Worcester, Massachusetts, home.[3][45] The cause was revealed on February 24, 2022, as "probablecardiac dysrhythmia" due to the cold of their neglected and improperly heated home. In a Facebook post, Witt revealed that her parents were fiercely independent and refused help with home repairs.[46]
Witt battledbreast cancer in 2021, and has been cancer-free since 2022 after undergoingchemotherapy and amastectomy.[9][36] In light of her cancer diagnosis and treatment, Witt has quit drinking alcohol.[37]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Dune | Alia Atreides | Credited as Alicia Roanne Witt | [47] |
| 1991 | Liebestraum | Girl in Dream | ||
| 1993 | Bodies, Rest & Motion | Elizabeth | ||
| 1994 | Fun | Bonnie | ||
| 1995 | Four Rooms | Kiva | Segment: "The Missing Ingredient" | |
| 1995 | Mr. Holland's Opus | Gertrude Lang | [47] | |
| 1996 | Citizen Ruth | Cheryl Stoney | ||
| 1997 | Bongwater | Serena | ||
| 1998 | Urban Legend | Natalie Simon | ||
| 1999 | The Reef | Sophy Viner | ||
| 2000 | Playing Mona Lisa | Claire Goldstein | ||
| 2000 | Cecil B. Demented | Cherish | ||
| 2000 | Gen13 | Caitlin Fairchild | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 2001 | Vanilla Sky | Libby | [47] | |
| 2001 | Ten Tiny Love Stories | Two | ||
| 2002 | American Girl | Barbie | ||
| 2002 | Two Weeks Notice | June Carver | [47] | |
| 2004 | Girls' Lunch | Short film | ||
| 2005 | The Upside of Anger | Hadley Wolfmeyer | ||
| 2006 | Last Holiday | Ms. Burns | ||
| 2007 | 88 Minutes | Kim Cummings | ||
| 2010 | The Pond | Shelly | Short film | |
| 2010 | Peep World | Amy | ||
| 2011 | The Flight of the Swan | Maria | ||
| 2011 | Joint Body | Michelle Page | ||
| 2012 | Cowgirls n' Angels | Elaine Clayton | ||
| 2012 | Bending the Rules | Roslyn Wohl | ||
| 2012 | I Do | Mya Edwards | ||
| 2013 | Weiner Dog Nationals | Melanie | ||
| 2013 | A Madea Christmas | Amber | ||
| 2014 | Away From Here | Lily | ||
| 2016 | Six LA Love Stories | Michelle | ||
| 2017 | The Bronx Bull | Denise | ||
| 2018 | Mississippi Requiem | Minnie | ||
| 2018 | Spare Room | Ginny | ||
| 2020 | I Care a Lot | Dr. Karen Amos | ||
| 2020 | Modern Persuasion | Wren Cosgrove | ||
| 2021 | Fuzzy Head | Mother | ||
| 2022 | Alice | Rachel | ||
| 2024 | Longlegs | Ruth Harker | [19] | |
| TBA | Shiver | TBA | Post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Twin Peaks | Gersten Hayward | Episode #2.1 |
| 1993 | Hotel Room | Diane | Episode: "Blackout" |
| 1994 | The Disappearance of Vonnie | Janine | Television film |
| 1995–1998 | Cybill | Zoey Woodbine | Main role |
| 2000 | Ally McBeal | Hope Mercey | 2 episodes |
| The Sopranos | Amy Safir | Episode: "D-Girl" | |
| 2003 | The Twilight Zone | Liz | Episode: "The Executions of Grady Finch" |
| 2004 | Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King | Kriemhild | Television film |
| 2007 | Blue Smoke | Reena Hale | Television film |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Nola Falacci | Main role (season 7) | |
| 2008 | Wainy Days | Laura | Episode: "Shelly II" |
| Puppy Love | Claire | Series | |
| Two and a Half Men | Dolores Pasternak | Episode: "A Jock Strap in Hell" | |
| 2009–2012 | The Mentalist | Rosalind Harker | 3 episodes |
| 2009–2011 | Friday Night Lights | Cheryl | Recurring role (season 4) |
| 2010 | Edgar Floats | Sandra | Television film |
| Backyard Wedding | Kim Tyler | Television film | |
| 2011 | CSI: Miami | Michelle Baldwin | Episode: "Blood Lust" |
| 2012 | Person of Interest | Connie Wyler | Episode: "The High Road" |
| 2013 | A Very Merry Mix-Up | Alice Chapman | Television film |
| A Snow Globe Christmas | Meg | Television film | |
| 2014 | Kingdom | Melanie | Episode: "Flowers" |
| Justified | Wendy Crowe | Recurring role (season 5) | |
| Christmas at Cartwright's | Nicky Talbot | Television film | |
| The Librarians | Lucinda McCabe /Morgan le Fay | Episode: "And the Rule of Three" | |
| 2015 | House of Lies | Maya | 2 episodes |
| Elementary | Dana Powell | Episode: "When Your Number's Up" | |
| Don't Blink | herself | Episode: "Magic Money, Knife Tosses and Sonic Booms" | |
| I'm Not Ready for Christmas | Holly Nolan | Television film | |
| 2016 | The Walking Dead | Paula | 2 episodes |
| Motive | Cindy Vernon | 1 episode | |
| Nashville | Autumn Chase | Recurring role (season 4); guest role (season 6) | |
| Christmas List | Isobel Gray | Television film | |
| 2017 | Supernatural | Lily Sunder | Episode: "Lily Sunder Has Some Regrets" |
| Twin Peaks | Gersten Hayward[17] | 2 episodes | |
| The Exorcist | Nikki Kim | Recurring role | |
| The Mistletoe Inn | Kim Rossi | Television film | |
| 2018 | Disjointed | Rosie Bush | Episode: "Helium Dream" |
| Lore | Marjorie Cameron | Episode: "Jack Parsons: The Devil and the Divine" | |
| Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane | Emma | Television film | |
| 2019 | Orange Is the New Black | Zelda | Recurring role (season 7) |
| Our Christmas Love Song | Melody | Television film | |
| 2020 | Christmas Tree Lane | Meg | Television film |
| 2021–2022 | Stargirl | Maggie Shaw | 2 episodes (1 episode uncredited) |
| 2023 | The Masked Singer | Dandelion/Herself | Season 9 contestant |
| Year | Title | Theatre |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Gift | Tiffany Theater, Los Angeles |
| 2004 | The Shape of Things | New Ambassadors Theatre, London |
| 2006 | Piano/Forte | Royal Court Theatre, London |
| 2007 | Dissonance | Williamstown Theatre Festival |
| 2014 | Reasons to Be Pretty | Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Sundance Film Festival[48] | Special Jury Recognition for Acting(shared withRenee Humphrey) | Fun | Won |
| 1995 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Debut Performance | Fun | Nominated |
| Gijón International Film Festival | Best Actress(shared withRenee Humphrey) | Fun | Won | |
| 1996 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series(shared withChristine Baranski,Dedee Pfeiffer,Alan Rosenberg,Cybill Shepherd andTom Wopat) | Cybill | Nominated |
| 1999 | Saturn Awards | Best Young Actor/Actress | Urban Legend | Nominated |
| 2000 | The Comedy Festival | Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Actor | Playing Mona Lisa | Won |
Alicia Witt, 14, of Worcester will take her chances during Wheel of Fortune's Teen Week beginning Sept 3.
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