Anna Chlumsky

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Anna Chlumsky
Chlumsky in 2018
Born (1980-12-03) December 3, 1980 (age 43)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education
OccupationActress
Years active
  • 1989–1998
  • 2006–present
Spouse
Shaun So
(m. 2008)
Children2

Anna Maria Chlumsky[1] (/ˈklʌmski/; born December 3, 1980[2]) is an American actress. She began acting as a child, and first became known for playing Vada Sultenfuss in the film My Girl (1991) and its sequel, My Girl 2. Following her early roles, she went on hiatus from 1999 to 2005 to attend college.

Chlumsky returned to acting with roles in several independent films, including Blood Car (2007) and In the Loop (2009). She portrayed Amy Brookheimer on the HBO television series Veep (2012–2019), which earned her six nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, among other accolades.

Early life[edit]

Chlumsky was born in Chicago,[2] the daughter of Nancy (née Zuncic, a singer, actress, and former flight attendant) and Frank Chlumsky Jr. (a chef and saxophonist).[3][4] She was raised in a Catholic family,[5] and is of Czech[6][7][8] and Croatian descent.[9]

Career[edit]

1989–1998: First roles[edit]

Chlumsky entered show business at an early age, modeling with her mother in an advertising campaign; it was her lead roles in My Girl (1991) and My Girl 2 (1994) that earned her praise for her acting. Her initial film role was a bit part in the family comedy Uncle Buck (1989), starring John Candy and her eventual My Girl co-star Macaulay Culkin. She also appeared in Trading Mom (1994) with Sissy Spacek, and in Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995) with Christina Ricci. Throughout the 1990s, Chlumsky starred in several films and TV series.[10]

1999–2005: University and hiatus from acting[edit]

Chlumsky took a break from acting to attend the University of Chicago, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in 2002. After college, she was hired as a fact-checker for the Zagat Survey and moved to New York City,[11] which was followed by a position as an editorial assistant for a HarperCollins science fiction-fantasy imprint. However, she felt her career in the publishing industry was lackluster and unsatisfying, and ultimately returned to acting after she completed formal training at the Atlantic Acting School in Manhattan.[12][13]

2006–2011: Return to acting[edit]

Chlumsky appeared as Mary Calvin in a season 17 episode of Law & Order, first airing on January 12, 2007; and as Lisa Klein in a season 20 episode, first airing on March 15, 2010. In March 2007, she appeared in the 30 Rock episode "The Fighting Irish" as Liz Lemler, a romantic rival of protagonist Liz Lemon, who receives flowers meant for Lemler. Chlumsky was in four episodes of the ABC dramedy Cupid in 2009. Later that year, she starred in the Lifetime movie 12 Men of Christmas as Jan Lucas.

She starred in the Off Broadway production of Unconditional by Brett C. Leonard at The Public Theater, which opened in February 2008; it was produced by the LAByrinth Theater Company. She also starred in Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead in November 2005 at the American Theatre of Actors in New York City.[14]

In 2009, she appeared in Armando Iannucci's BBC Films political satire In The Loop, co-starring with Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, Chris Addison, James Gandolfini, and Mimi Kennedy, a quasi-spinoff of Iannucci's BBC TV series The Thick of It.[15] She plays Liza, a State Department assistant in the movie.

2012–present: Veep and other roles[edit]

From 2012 to 2019, Chlumsky played Amy Brookheimer, aide to Julia Louis-Dreyfus's character in HBO's Veep, also produced by Iannucci.[16] In June 2012, she starred in the world premiere of David Adjmi's 3C at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in New York.

Dan Aykroyd, who played her father in the two My Girl films, has said that a script for a third film has been in development since 2003.[17] In April 2012, Chlumsky "put to rest" any rumors that such a film was in development.[18] In addition to her role on Veep, Chlumsky has appeared in multiple television series between 2011 and 2013, including White Collar, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and NBC's adaptation of Hannibal.

Chlumsky has appeared on Broadway in You Can't Take It with You, and beginning in April 2015 as editor Iris Peabody in the comedy Living on Love, with Renee Fleming, Jerry O'Connell and Douglas Sills.

In 2017, Chlumsky appeared in the fourth season of AMC Networks' Halt and Catch Fire as Dr. Katie Herman, the love interest of Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy).[19]

In October 2019, Chlumsky was cast in a main role alongside Julia Garner in Shonda Rhimes' Netflix limited drama series Inventing Anna.[20] Chlumsky voices Charlotte Pickles in the 2021 Paramount+ revival of Rugrats.[21]

Personal life[edit]

In October 2007, Chlumsky announced her engagement to Army Reserve member Shaun So,[22] who also served a tour of duty in Afghanistan.[11] They met as students at the University of Chicago in 2000.[23] They married on March 8, 2008, in Brooklyn, New York, and have two daughters, born July 2013[24] and August 2016.[25]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Uncle Buck School Child Small Role
1991 My Girl Vada Sultenfuss
1994 My Girl 2
Trading Mom Elizabeth Martin
1995 Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain Jody Salerno
2005 Wait Cara Short film
2007 Blood Car Lorraine
2008 Eavesdrop Chelsea
2009 In the Loop Liza Weld
The Good Guy Lisa
My Sweet Misery Chloe
2010 Civil Unions: A Love Story Unnamed Short film
2011 The Pill Nelly
2012 Bert and Arnie's Guide to Friendship Sabrina
2015 The End of the Tour Sarah
2019 Hala Shannon Taylor
2022 They/Them Molly Erickson / Angie Phelps
TBA Bride Hard Post-production

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1997 A Child's Wish Missy Chandler Television film
Miracle in the Woods Gina Weatherby / Field Pea
1998 Cupid Jill Episode: "Meat Market"
Early Edition Megan Clark Episode: "Teen Angels"
2007 Eight Days a Week Riley McGann Unaired series
30 Rock Liz Lemler Episode: "The Fighting Irish"
2007
2010
Law & Order Mary Calvin,
Lisa Klein
"Charity Case"
"Innocence"
2009 House Rules Scotty Fisher Television film
Cupid Josie 4 episodes; reworking of original Cupid series
12 Men of Christmas Jan Lucas Television film
2010 The Quinn-tuplets Rachel Quinn Unsold pilot
Covert Affairs Vivian Long Episode: "I Can't Quit You Baby"
2011 Lights Out Charlie Episodes: "Headgames", "The Shot"
Three Weeks, Three Kids Jennifer Mills Television film
White Collar Agent Melissa Matthews Episodes: "Where There's a Will", "Countdown"
2012–2019 Veep Amy Brookheimer 65 episodes;
Main role (Seasons 1–7)
2012 Army Wives Jessica Anderson Episode: "Tough Love"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jocelyn Paley Episode: "Twenty-Five Acts"
2013–2014 Hannibal Miriam Lass 4 episodes
2016 Robot Chicken Kelly / Nurse (voice) Episode: "Western Hay Batch"
2017 Halt and Catch Fire Dr. Katie Herman 5 episodes
2021 Rugrats Charlotte Pickles (voice) Main role
2022 Inventing Anna Vivian Kent Main role

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
1991 Chicago Film Critics Association Most Promising Actress My Girl Nominated [citation needed]
MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss (shared with Macaulay Culkin) Won
Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Culkin) Nominated
Young Artist Awards Most Promising Young Newcomer Won [citation needed]
1994 Best Performance by a Young Actress Starring in a Motion Picture My Girl 2 Won
1995 Best Young Leading Actress – Feature Film Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain Won
1997 Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series – Leading Young Actress A Child's Wish Nominated
1998 Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series – Guest Starring Young Actress Cupid Won
2012 Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Veep Nominated [26]
2013 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Nominated [26]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2014 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Nominated [26]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2015 Gracie Awards Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy or Musical Won [citation needed]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Nominated [26]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2016 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
2017 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [27]
Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2019 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ Chlumsky, Anna (June 18, 2019). "Anna Chlumsky". Life is Short with Justin Long (Interview). Interviewed by Justin Long. Event occurs at 18:10. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Stitcher Radio.
  2. ^ a b "Anna Chlumsky Actor". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  3. ^ Obituary for Frank Chlumsky, Jr., legacy.com; accessed May 14, 2014.
  4. ^ Pearlman, Cindy (January 26, 1992). "The minors become a major force on the screen". Chicago Sun-Times.
  5. ^ Strasburger, Chantal (May 26, 2016). "It's Pronounced KLUM-ski". Sweet. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  6. ^ YouTube. youtube.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013.
  7. ^ "My Girl's Anna Chlumsky Engaged". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  8. ^ "ANNA CHLUMSKY, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & other stars of the VEEP series on the Czech Centennial". YouTube. December 11, 2018. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022.
  9. ^ The NBA on Christmas Day: Talking with Anna Chlumsky Archived 2018-12-01 at the Wayback Machine, allball.blogs.nba.com, December 18, 2014; accessed February 5, 2017.
  10. ^ "Anna Chlumsky". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Southwick, Hannah (February 11, 2022). "My Girl for Life! Find Out All About the Guy Lucky to Be Anna Chlumsky's Husband, Shaun So". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Fallon, Kevin (June 23, 2016). "How Anna Chlumsky Became Veep's Secret Weapon". The Daily Beast.
  13. ^ Caro, Mark (May 19, 2010). "'My Girl' star Anna Chlumsky all grown up". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  14. ^ "Anna Chlumsky to Star in Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead Off-B'way", broadway.com; accessed May 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "Chlumsky, Gandolfini in 'In The Loop'". Ew.com. May 1, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  16. ^ Bentley, Jean (December 3, 2010). "Congress Bans Loud Commercials, 'Dora the Explorer' Actress Withdraws Lawsuit and More". TV Squad. AOL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  17. ^ "Dan Aykroyd Switches Gears and Starts Push for My Girl 3". ScrapeTV.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  18. ^ "Anna Chlumsky Declines My Girl 3". YouTube. April 27, 2012. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  19. ^ "Anna Chlumsky Cast in Season Four of AMC's "Halt And Catch Fire"". AMC Networks. June 9, 2017.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 31, 2019). "Anna Chlumsky & Julia Garner Among 5 Cast In Shonda Rhimes' Netflix Series Based On Anna Delvey". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  21. ^ Strindberg, Brian (March 18, 2021). "Nickelodeon Bets on 'Rugrats' Revival in Animation Ramp-Up". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "My Girl's Anna Chlumsky Engaged". People. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on March 29, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  23. ^ Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer (October 24, 2014). "'Veep' star discusses struggles of life as a military girlfriend". TODAY.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  24. ^ Saad, Nardine (July 18, 2013). "Anna Chlumsky of 'Veep' toasts Emmy nomination, 1-week-old baby girl". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  25. ^ Juneau, Jen; Jordan, Julia (August 26, 2016). "Anna Chlumsky Welcomes Daughter Clara Elizabeth". People. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d "2013–14 Season". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  27. ^ "Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations". Variety. July 13, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.

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