Laura Allen Explained

Laura Allen
Birth Date:March 21, 1974
Birth Place:Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Alma Mater:Wellesley College
Yearsactive:2000–present
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

Allen was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington.[1] She is the middle child of three sisters. 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.[2]

Career

1997–2002: Early work and All My Children

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.

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. 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.[3]

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.

2003–2008: The 4400 and Dirt

After departing AMC, Allen went on to play Susan Delacorte in Mike Newell's Mona Lisa Smile.[4] On television, she guest starred on Cold Case, North Shore, House, and Criminal Minds.[5] In 2004, Allen was cast as Samantha Wade in Sucker Free City, a Showtime film directed by Spike Lee.[6] This was followed by a leading role as Jane Carol Webb in the film How You Look to Me.[7] [8]

She landed a starring role on USA Network's hit series, The 4400, playing the role of Lily Tyler. 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. She guest starred on and appeared in the films From Within and The Collective.[11]

2009–2012: Terriers and Awake

Allen played a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy in 2009 as the ex-lover of Owen (Kevin McKidd).[12] She guest starred on and appeared in the films Hysteria and Old Dogs.[13]

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

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.[21] [22] [23] Allen starred as Linda Kessler in the Lifetime movie Nanny Cam.[24] She also had a guest starring role on .

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 . She had a recurring role as Rosie on 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.[30] In 2024, she began appearing in the recurring role of Chief Robinson on Chicago Fire.

Personal life

After leaving All My Children in 2002, Allen took a ten week training course to become an Emergency medical technician.

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

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003data-sort-value="Tale of Two, A" A Tale of TwoLimo GirlShort film
Mona Lisa SmileSusan Delacorte
2005How You Look to MeJane Carol Webb
2008From WithinTrish
data-sort-value="Collective, The" The CollectiveClare
2009Old DogsKelly
2010CherryLinda
HysteriaErin
2013Red CarMarilynShort film
2014ClownMeg McCoy
2017Tulip FeverBuxom Wench
2018data-sort-value="Tale, The" The TaleYoung Nettie
UnspeakableMarie DeguireShort film
2019One Foot in FrontThe MomShort film
2020Last LooksFriendShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000data-sort-value="Street, The" The StreetJenniferEpisode: "Pilot"
2000–2002All My ChildrenLaura Kirk-EnglishContract role
2004Cold CaseVanessa ProsserEpisode: "Late Returns"
North ShoreMoniqueEpisode: "More"
Sucker Free CitySamantha WadeTelevision film
2004–2005; 2007data-sort-value="Forty-four Hundred, The" The 4400Lily TylerMain cast (seasons 1–2)
2006HouseSarah AlstonEpisode: "All In"
2007Criminal MindsBobbi BairdEpisode: "Open Season"
Cass MagnallEpisode: "Alternate"
2007–2008DirtJulia MalloryMain cast
2009Grey's AnatomyBeth WhitmanEpisodes: "Beat Your Heart Out", "Before and After"
Sondra MooreEpisode: "Dissolved"
2010TerriersKatie NicholsMain cast
2012AwakeHannah BrittenMain cast
2013Secret Lives of Husbands and WivesAlison DunnUnaired pilot
2013–2014RavenswoodRochelle Matheson6 episodes
2014Katherine WilsonEpisode: "Watch Over Me"
Nanny CamLinda KesslerTelevision film
2015; 2019SuitsLily SpecterEpisodes: "Hitting Home", "Faith", "Thunder Away"
2016Marvel's Most WantedOliviaUnaired pilot
Emily WagnerEpisode: "Paper Orphans"
2017RosieEpisodes: "Neighbors from Hell", "Holes"
Wisdom of the CrowdShelly WalshEpisode: "Clear History"
2018data-sort-value="Nine-one-one" 9-1-1Marcy NashEpisodes: "Point of Origin", "Bobby Begins Again"
Hap and LeonardOfficer Reynolds5 episodes
2019–2021Truth Be ToldAlana Cave5 episodes
2024Chicago FireChief Robinson4 episodes

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Baker . Jeff . April 28, 2014 . 18 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Portland . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023034602/https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2014/04/18_actors_you_maybe_didnt_know.html . October 23, 2023 . February 15, 2016 . . Portland, Oregon.
  2. Web site: Bio . Lauraallen.net . January 14, 2014 . September 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200928000951/http://www.lauraallen.net/bio.html . dead .
  3. Web site: About the Actors: Laura Allen . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505013947/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/allen_laura.php . May 5, 2024 . May 4, 2024 . Soap Central.
  4. Web site: Rooney . David . December 9, 2003 . Mona Lisa Smile . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234859/https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/mona-lisa-smile-1200537521/ . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . Variety.
  5. Web site: Laura Allen . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234901/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/laura-allen/credits/3000437018/ . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . TV Guide.
  6. Web site: Rooney . David . September 16, 2004 . Sucker Free City . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234857/https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/sucker-free-city-1200531025/ . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . Variety.
  7. Web site: Kuhn . Sarah . November 5, 2019 . Laura Allen: Down to Earth . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/laura-allen-earth-35339/ . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . Backstage.
  8. Web site: March 17, 2005 . 'Look' looks about done . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424230137/https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/look-looks-about-done-1117919715/ . April 24, 2023 . May 6, 2024 . Variety.
  9. Web site: What Happened To 4400's Lily?. December 11, 2006. Lee. Patrick. https://web.archive.org/web/20060715171158/http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/print.php?id=36546. July 15, 2006.
  10. Web site: Webb Mitovich . Matt . August 17, 2007 . Laura Allen Has the Dirt on The 4400's Surprising Reunion . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507031209/https://www.tvguide.com/news/4400-dirt-allen-38674/ . May 7, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . TV Guide.
  11. Web site: The Collective . https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012320/https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=800 . October 11, 2023 . May 5, 2024 . Brooklyn Film Festival.
  12. Web site: Cellura . Regan . January 14, 2009 . AMC's Laura Allen Cast on Grey's Anatomy . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507031825/https://daytimeconfidential.com/2009/01/14/amcs-laura-allen-cast-on-greys-anatomy . May 7, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . Daytime Confidential.
  13. Web site: August 16, 2016 . Interview: Laura Allen (Clown) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929123804/https://gruesomemagazine.com/2016/08/16/interview-laura-allan-clown/ . September 29, 2023 . May 5, 2024 . Gruesome Magazine.
  14. Web site: Hale . Mike . November 4, 2010 . A Freshman Year to Remember . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05cherry.html . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . The New York Times.
  15. Web site: Bellafante . Gina . September 7, 2010 . In a Golden Land, but Grateful for Brass Rings . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505234858/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/arts/television/08terriers.html . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024 . The New York Times.
  16. Web site: Stanley . Alessandra . February 29, 2012 . Choose a Reality? If Only He Could . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422181224/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/arts/television/awake-starring-jason-isaacs-on-nbc.html . April 22, 2023 . May 5, 2024 . The New York Times.
  17. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . March 21, 2011 . Pilot Rarity: Laura Allen Promoted To Female Lead On NBC's 'REM' . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129070207/https://deadline.com/2011/03/pilot-rarity-laura-allen-promoted-to-female-lead-on-nbcs-rem-115931/ . November 29, 2022 . May 15, 2024 . Deadline.
  18. Web site: Kerr . Luke . October 15, 2012 . Laura Allen Uncovers The Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://daytimeconfidential.com/2012/10/15/laura-allen-uncovers-the-secret-lives-of-husbands-and-wives . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . Daytime Confidential.
  19. Web site: Goldberg . Lesley . January 16, 2013 . Lifetime's Kim Raver Starrer 'Secret Lives of Wives' Not Moving Forward . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lifetimes-kim-raver-secret-lives-wives-413084/ . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  20. Web site: Kay . Ariel . December 28, 2014 . 'Nanny Cam's Star Used To Work with the NYPD . https://web.archive.org/web/20240509121416/https://www.bustle.com/articles/55376-who-is-laura-allen-the-nanny-cam-star-used-to-work-with-the-nypd-is . May 9, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . Bustle.
  21. Web site: Miska . Brad . 2015-03-07 . 'Clown' Clip Enters a Jungle Gym of Terror . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172544/https://bloody-disgusting.com/videos/3335176/clown-clip-enters-jungle-gym-terror/ . May 7, 2024 . 2024-05-07 . Bloody Disgusting! . en-US.
  22. Web site: Jones . Gareth . 2015-02-28 . Clown (UK DVD) . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172547/https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/91401/clown-uk-dvd/ . May 7, 2024 . 2024-05-07 . Dread Central . en-US.
  23. Web site: Barton . Steve . 2015-02-27 . Eli Roth's Clown Gets a New UK Trailer . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172548/https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/91272/eli-roths-clown-gets-new-uk-trailer/ . May 7, 2024 . 2024-05-07 . Dread Central . en-US.
  24. http://marvista.net/Details.aspx?id=84df7e05-c1d7-e311-b063-d4ae527c3b65 Nanny Cam – MarVista Entertainment
  25. Web site: May 12, 2016 . Marvel's Most Wanted – 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506193125/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/marvel-s-most-wanted-2016 . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . AV Club.
  26. Web site: Nemetz . Dave . July 19, 2017 . American Horror Story: Lena Dunham Books Season 7 Role (Yes, Really) . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212546/https://tvline.com/casting-news/american-horror-story-cast-lena-dunham-season-7-fx-849404/ . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . TV Line.
  27. Web site: Felperin . Leslie . January 20, 2018 . 'The Tale': Film Review Sundance 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506215853/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tale-review-1076440/ . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  28. Web site: Unspeakable . https://web.archive.org/web/20240515231637/https://watch.afi.com/movie/unspeakable-3 . May 15, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . American Film Institute.
  29. Web site: Keene . Allison . March 14, 2018 . 'Hap and Leonard' EP on Florida's Journey & Balancing Humor with Serious Darkness . https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190659/https://collider.com/hap-and-leonard-season-3-interview-john-wirth/ . May 29, 2020 . May 6, 2024 . Collider.
  30. Web site: Poisuo . Pauli . April 5, 2024 . Why Chicago Fire's Chief Robinson Looks So Familiar . https://web.archive.org/web/20240506212543/https://www.looper.com/1553215/chicago-fire-why-chief-robinson-looks-familiar-actress-laura-allen/ . May 6, 2024 . May 6, 2024 . Looper.
  31. Web site: West . Frances . March 18, 2024 . Everything You Need to Know About Dirt Star Laura Allen's Husband, Bruce Weyman! . https://web.archive.org/web/20221004000530/https://marriedbiography.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dirt-star-laura-allens-husband-bruce-weyman/ . October 4, 2022 . May 15, 2024 . Married Biography.
  32. Web site: September 5, 2008 . Laura Allen Welcomes Son Harper Edward . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507172542/https://people.com/parents/laura-allen-har/ . May 7, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . People.