Fátima Ptacek Explained

Fátima Ptacek
Birth Date:August 20, 2000
Birth Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation:Actress/Model
Website:www.fatimaptacek.com
Yearsactive:2007–present

Fátima Ptacek (; born August 20, 2000)[1] is an American film and television actress and model, and a human rights activist working with UN Women's

  1. HeForShe
campaign for gender equality.[2] She is best known as the lead actor in the 2012 Academy Award winning short film Curfew and its 2014 full-length feature film version Before I Disappear. She has lent her voice as the lead role of "Dora" in Nickelodeon's animated television series Dora the Explorer since 2012[3] and since 2014.[4] [5]

Personal life

Ptacek was born and resides in New York City with her parents. Her mother is Ecuadorian. Her father has Colombian, Czech, Irish, and Norwegian roots.

She is a gymnast, competing at United States of America Gymnastics Level 7,[6] and takes part in English equestrian riding; as of 2010, she noted that she was hoping to qualify for the Olympic Games. In 2010, she noted that she was aiming for a scholarship to Harvard or Yale, and was enrolled in an academy for intellectually gifted children. In 2013, she was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.[7] She has expressed interest in transitioning from acting to a career in law someday. Her childhood dream was to be elected President of the United States; and her remarks led to her being invited to view the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate debate in person. She was acknowledged by Assemblyman Francisco Moya on the floor of the Assembly and recognized for her contributions to the arts. In addition to being fluent in English and Spanish, Ptacek has been studying Mandarin Chinese since childhood. In 2018 she started attending Stanford University.

Career

As a child actress, Ptacek appeared in more than 70 television commercials,[8] [9] and on the covers of numerous national magazines. She was also one of the few child models who has had the privilege of walking the runway at Bryant Park during the annual Fall Fashion Week in New York City. Discovered by Wilhelmina Models,[10] then represented by New York's Abrams Artists Agency during her child acting and modeling career,[11] the critical acclaim she received for her role in the Oscar-winning film Curfew led to efforts by the "Big Four" talent agencies - Creative Artist Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), and International Creative Management (ICM) - to recruit her, and ultimately, she chose to work with ICM.[12] Ptacek was one of the highest-paid child models in the world, earning approximately $250,000 annually as of 2010,[13] when she had appeared as the "face of" Ralph Lauren, and worked in major campaigns for high end designers like Bonnie Young, Miss Sixty, Monna Lisa, and Siviglia, and fashion houses like Guess, The Gap, H&M, and Benetton.[14] [15] One of her most notable campaigns was for Macy's in 2009, when she revived Natalie Wood's childhood role of "Virginia" in Macy's Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus -themed campaign for the holiday season, which saw Ptacek's appearance in a series of full page advertisements in each of New York's major newspapers, TV commercials with celebrities, such as Donald Trump, Queen Latifah, Martha Stewart, and Carlos Ponce,[16] and public appearances on behalf of Macy's that sought to raise support for the literacy organization, Reading is Fundamental (RIF).[17] She also appeared on the cover of Newsweek.

In 2009, she was cast in the comedy film The Rebound with Catherine Zeta-Jones. After landing small roles in several other films, she was cast in lead roles in several feature films released in 2013 and 2014, including A Little Game, Anything's Possible, Tio Papi,[18] [19] [20] and A Miracle in Spanish Harlem.[21] [22] Ptacek has appeared in television shows including Saturday Night Live, A Gifted Man, Royal Pains, The Beautiful Life, Body of Proof, and appeared with First Lady Michelle Obama on Sesame Street.[23]

Ptacek was given a three-year contract[24] as Dora in Dora the Explorer, in November 2010,[25] with the first new TV episodes with her voice in January 2012. She replaces previous voices Kathleen Herles and Caitlin Sanchez. She notes she was a fan of the character before being cast,[26] amongst 200 girls auditioning.[27] The role earned her a "Best Young Actress - Television" at the 2012 Imagen Awards,[28] which she attended.[29] She is nominated in the 2014 awards for "Outstanding Performance in a Children's TV Series". Specials voiced by Ptacek include Dora Rocks!, Dora's Rescue in Mermaid Kingdom, Dora's Butterfly Ball, Dora's Royal Rescue,[30] Dora's Easter Adventure,[31] and Dora's Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure (2012).

Ptacek starred in the Shawn Christensen short film Curfew (2012) as well as its feature film version Before I Disappear (2014), about a depressed man asked to take care of his niece.[32] Christensen had auditioned a handful of actresses for the role, but saw Ptacek on a morning show appearance. He admits that he hoped she would nail the audition, and describes her as "phenomenal".[33] Receiving extensive critical acclaim, Ptacek's performance was deemed "a breakthrough",[34] "memorable",[35] "charming",[36] an "eerie, mature confidence for someone so young",[37] and "delightfully annoying".[38] The film was nominated for "Best Live Action Short Film" at the 85th Academy Awards, the first time the category was open to all members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voting. The film won, with Ptacek in attendance.[39] She attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party with Christensen.[40] Ptacek has personally won Best Young Actress at the 2012 Sapporo Short Fest (the film screening there the year after with an appearance by Ptacek),[41] [42] A feature film of the story has been announced, with Ptacek announced to return.[43] Best Actress at the 2013 Rincon International Film Festival, and Best Actress at the 2013 Vaughan Film Festival.

Joey Dedio, screenwriter and top star of the film Tio Papi, in which Ptacek stars, commented in an interview that "we hit the jackpot with that one. She’s a class act, as are her parents."[44] [45] Ptacek was nominated for a "Best Actress/Supporting Actress - Feature Film" Imagen Award, alongside nominees including Elizabeth Rodriguez from the same film;[46] Míriam Colón (Bless Me, Ultima) won the category.[47]

(2014–2017), also has Ptacek as the voice of Dora. While Ptacek speaks in a higher pitch for Dora the Explorer, the new series allows her a more natural voice, as the character is 10 to Ptacek's real life age at the start of production, 12. Production continues on the original series. Producers have allowed Ptacek to modify lines, when she feels she can provide a more accurate version of how youth speak. Ptacek won "Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s TV Series" at the 2015 NAACP Image Awards.[48]

Charity work

Fátima volunteers as a "Celebrity Ambassador" for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation,[49] [50] and has done work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in conjunction with the Macy's Believe Campaign, and the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.[51] Given her joy of reading, Ptacek has done work with SAG Foundation's BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools),[52] and Reading Is Fundamental. The Latino Commission on AIDS named Ptacek their 2013 youth ambassador at its Cielo Latino benefit gala.[53]

Selected filmography

YearFilmRole
2008 One Last Beat Little Girl
2009 Speed Grieving Lucy
Sweet Flame Amber's friend
2010 The Rebound Mozambique Girl
2011 Body of Proof "Buried Secrets" - Becky Salern
Anything is Possible: The Movie Jessee
2012–2019Dora the Explorer
2012Curfew Sophia
2013Tio Papi Angela
Anything is Possible Jessee
2014Before I Disappear Sophia
Isabella
2014–2017 Dora
2021Coast Abby Evans

Notes and References

  1. News: The Voice of Dora the Explorer, Fátima Ptacek, Is a Busy Teenager - The New York Times . Kathleen. Lucadamo. . 2014-12-12. . 0362-4331 . 15 April 2016. As the voice of the cross-cultural cartoon icon Dora the Explorer, Fátima Ptacek, 14.
  2. Web site: Media Advisory: UN Women events commemorating International Women's Day 2016. Headquarters. 2 March 2016 . 2016-05-10.
  3. Web site: Dora Grows Up TIME For Kids. www.timeforkids.com. 2016-05-10. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160609200323/http://www.timeforkids.com/node/171191. 2016-06-09.
  4. Web site: Cafecito: Fatima Ptacek talks 'Dora and Friends: Into the City!'. NBCNews.com. 2016-05-10.
  5. Web site: Meet Fatima, the face and voice behind Dora the Explorer. Sunshine Coast Daily. 2016-05-10.
  6. News: Scileppi. Tammy. The Homegrown Voice of Dora. 1 March 2013. Times Ledger. 23 March 2012. New York NY.
  7. News: Lovett. Ken. Dora Explores Albany. 22 June 2013. NY Daily News. 5 June 2013. New York City.
  8. News: Fatima Ptacek Espinoza, Ecuadorian descent actress shines at the Oscars. https://web.archive.org/web/20130302022600/http://www.ecuadortimes.net/2013/02/27/fatima-ptacek-espinoza-ecuadorian-descent-actress-shines-at-the-oscars/. dead. 2 March 2013. 1 March 2013. Ecuador Times. 27 February 2013. [United States].
  9. One ad she starred in received an Association of Independent Commercial Producers nomination. (nomination page)
  10. News: McLean. Linda. Young actress Fátima Ptacek modelling Lamantine, her movie Curfew is nominated at the Oscars.. 19 January 2013. smudgetikka. 18 January 2013. 28 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131128004114/http://www.smudgetikka.com/2013/01/18/young-actress-fatima-ptacek-modelling-lamantine-her-movie-curfew-is-nominated-at-the-oscars/. dead.
  11. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/11/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main6472111.shtml Nine-Year-Old Reaches Supermodel Status
  12. Web site: Rep Moves: UTA, Verve, WME, Zero Gravity Entertainment SSN Insider. www.ssninsider.com. 2016-05-10.
  13. News: Fatima Ptacek: Child prodigy, role model and Michelle Obama's pen-pal. 19 January 2013. METRO. 17 May 2010. London.
  14. Web site: Home > Advertising > 2010 - Fatima Online Image Gallery. fatimaptacek.net . 2016-05-10.
  15. Web site: Fatima Ptacek, Nine-Year-Old Model, Banks $250K A Year, Is Penpals With Michelle Obama (VIDEO). 2010-05-11. The Huffington Post. 2016-05-10.
  16. Web site: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Film information, facts, quotes and goofs - Celebs Journal. celebritywc.com. 2016-05-10.
  17. Web site: Fátima Ptacek: The Voice of a Generation #WomensHistoryMonth. Fitzpatrick. Marlena. 2016-03-14. Latino Rebels. 2016-05-10.
  18. News: Rivas. Jessica. Miami Native & Latino: Fro Rojas directs feature film "Tio Papi". 2 March 2013. The 305. 9 November 2012. Miami FL. 18 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130118221939/http://the305.com/2012/11/09/miami-native-latino-fro-rojas-directs-feature-film-tio-papi/. dead.
  19. News: Herrero. Rebeca. Joey Dedio: La nueva fuerza del cine latino. 2 March 2013. impreMEDIA. 11 November 2011. Los Angeles CA. es. dead. https://archive.today/20130411033027/http://m.impre.com/entry/view/id/37191/pn/all/p/0/?KSID=9fde295f5d3b3e229df069c59f534a4a. 11 April 2013.
  20. Web site: Archived copy . 2013-03-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110173732/http://tiopapimovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TioPapiProductionNotes-1.pdf . 2013-11-10 .
  21. News: Meet The Newest Voice Of "Dora The Explorer" – Fátima Ptacek. 2 March 2013. nickutopia. 28 January 2012.
  22. News: Knickerbocker Film Series winter lineup includes independent, foreign films. 11 January 2014. Holland Sentinel. 8 January 2014. Holland MI.
  23. Web site: Listings . TheFutonCritic.com . 2011-05-10 . 2014-08-26.
  24. News: Fatima the New Yorker becomes Dora the Explorer. 2012-01-31. 2013-01-19. News.com.au. https://web.archive.org/web/20120131093419/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/fatima-the-new-yorker-becomes-dora-the-explorer/story-e6frfmyi-1226257745374. 2012-01-31.
  25. News: McNamara. Maggie. She Did It!. 2 March 2013. New York Family. 1 August 2012. New York NY.
  26. Web site: AOL . You've Got Fatima Ptacek . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/-FP_-BCTkhQ . 2021-12-15 . live. 28 September 2012 . YouTube . 2014-08-26.
  27. Web site: Fatima Ptacek, Voice of Dora the Explorer, on 200 Girls Fighting For the Role. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512061109/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEFn08KIU70 . 2014-05-12 . dead. StarCam. 2 March 2013. 20 August 2012.
  28. Web site: 27th Annual Imagen Awards - Nominees. Imagen Awards. The Imagen Foundation. 1 March 2013. Encino CA.
  29. News: Imagen Awards 2012: Sundance Breakout 'Filly Brown' Nabs Top Acting Awards. 1 March 2013. The Hollywood Reporter. 11 August 2012. Los Angeles CA.
  30. Web site: The voice of Dora the Explorer, Fatima Ptacek. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512062551/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=362aUOfhO18 . 2014-05-12 . dead. American Latino. American Latino Syndication. 2 March 2013. New York NY. 4 December 2012.
  31. Web site: Phineas Lover . Say "hola" to the new voice of Dora, Fátima Ptacek! . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/c7TvFBSqgEE . 2021-12-15 . live. YouTube . 2012-04-03 . 2014-08-26.
  32. News: Olsen. Mark. Oscars 2013: 'Curfew' wins best live-action short film. 27 February 2013. Los Angeles Times. 24 February 2013. Los Angeles.
  33. News: Bibbiani. William. Thank My Mom: Shawn Christensen on Curfew. 27 February 2013. Crave Online. 14 February 2013. Los Angeles CA.
  34. News: My reflection on the 85th Academy Awards. 27 February 2013. Ahwatukee Foothills News. 26 February 2013. Phoenix AZ.
  35. News: Eisner. Ken. Oscar-nominated live-action short films mix comedy and pathos. 27 February 2013. Vancouver Straight. 7 February 2013. Vancouver BC.
  36. News: Live Action Shorts – Size Matters Not. 27 February 2013. Awards Daily. 6 February 2013. Valley Village CA.
  37. News: Wilson. Jeremy. 2013 Oscar-Nominated Live Action Shorts Review. 27 February 2013. 411mania. 18 February 2013.
  38. News: Moore. Roger. Movie review: Oscar-nominated live-action shorts. 27 February 2013. The Record. 5 February 2013. McClatchy Newspapers. Hackensack NJ.
  39. Web site: Dennis. Alicia Diaz. 'Dora the Explorer' Star Fátima Ptacek Makes Her Oscars Debut!. Zimbio. Livingly. 27 February 2013. San Carlos CA. 24 February 2013.
  40. Web site: Fatima Ptacek & Shawn Christensen greet fans at 2013 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in WeHo. https://web.archive.org/web/20130228071300/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nagFHA3Z4zw&gl=US&hl=en . 2013-02-28 . dead. PopCandies TV. 2 March 2013. Los Angeles CA. 26 February 2013.
  41. Web site: Awards | Curfew (Short Film) . Curfewfilm.com . 2014-08-26.
  42. Web site: Fátima Ptacek - Timeline Photos . Facebook . 2014-08-26.
  43. Web site: Clint . Caffeinated . TV stars under Curfew . Moviehole . July 16, 2013 . 2014-08-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140328234657/http://moviehole.net/201366281tv-stars-under-curfew . March 28, 2014 . dead .
  44. News: Madeleine Marr . Local actor Joey Dedio a family guy in 'Tio Papi' - People . Miami Herald . 2013-09-03 . 2014-08-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185217/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/03/3596559/local-actor-joey-dedio-a-family.html . 2014-02-21. dead.
  45. http://tiopapimovie.com/cast-crew Official movie website
  46. News: Nominees for the 28th Annual Imagen Awards Announced . The Imagen Foundation . 2013-08-16 . 2014-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141126234519/http://www.imagen.org/news/imagen-awards/2013/06/nominees-28th-annual-imagen-awards-announced . 2014-11-26 .
  47. News: Winners of 28th Annual Imagen Awards Announced Honoring Latinos in Entertainment . The Imagen Foundation . 2013-08-16 . 2014-08-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130821111241/http://www.imagen.org/news/imagen-awards/2013/08/winners-28th-annual-imagen-awards-announced-honoring-latinos-entertain . 2013-08-21 .
  48. Web site: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A YOUTH IN A YOUTH/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM (SERIES OR SPECIAL). The 46th NAACP Image Awards. 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319050437/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/nominees/. 2017-03-19.
  49. Web site: The Elizabeth Glaser Global Champions Of A Mothers Fight Awards Dinner. Guest of a Guest. 1 March 2013. New York NY. n.d.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714175254/http://guestofaguest.com/new-york/party-crasher/last-nights-parties-hilary-rhoda-and-coco-rocha-attend-the-mcny-annual-winter-ball-solange-knowles-brings-down-the-house-at-webster-hall-and-more%26slide%3D3. 14 July 2014.
  50. Web site: Bailey. Lee. Audrey's Society Whirl: Elizabeth Glaser AIDS Foundation Gala Honors J&J, Cookie Johnson and Amy Towers. Lee Bailey's EurWeb: Electronic Urban Report. 1 March 2013. Los Angelesdate=27 February 2013. 22 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422052316/http://www.eurweb.com/2013/02/audreys-society-whirl-elizabeth-glaser-aids-foundation-gala-honors-jj-cookie-johnson-and-amy-towers/. dead.
  51. News: García . Sandra E. . ¡Vamonos! Dora and Boots come uptown to visit on Valentine's Day . https://archive.today/20130411073320/http://www.manhattantimesnews.com/February-22-2012/ivamonos-dora-and-boots-come-uptown-to-visit-on-valentines-day.html . dead . 11 April 2013 . 1 March 2013 . Manhattan Times . 22 February 2012 . Washington Heights/Inwood, New York NY .
  52. News: Austin. Josh. SAG Foundation's BookPALS Celebrates 20 Years. 1 March 2013. backstage.com. 28 February 2013. New York NY.
  53. News: Panky Saviñón se une con otros famosos en la lucha contra el sida; asiste a Cielo Latino 2013 . 22 June 2013 . Hoy digital . 28 May 2013 . Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203546/http://hoy.com.do/alegria/2013/5/28/482520/BAMBALINASPanky-Savinonse-une-con-otros-famosos-en-la-lucha-contra-el . 14 July 2014 .
  54. Web site: 35th Annual Young Artist Awards. April 14, 2014. Young Artist Awards. July 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150720070434/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms35.html. dead.

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