Amber Tamblyn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amber Tamblyn
Amber Tamblyn in 2014
Born	Amber Rose Tamblyn (1983-05-14) May 14, 1983 (age 42) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress author
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	David Cross ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	1
Parent(s)	Russ Tamblyn (father)
Relatives	Eddie Tamblyn (grandfather)

Amber Rose Tamblyn (born May 14, 1983) is an American actress and author. She first became well-known for her role as Emily Quartermaine on the TV show General Hospital when she was 11. Later, she starred in the series Joan of Arcadia as Joan Girardi. For this role, she was nominated for important awards like the Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe.

Amber Tamblyn has also acted in many movies. These include Tibby Rollins in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies and Megan McBride in 127 Hours. She also appeared in the movie Stephanie Daley, which was praised by critics. For Stephanie Daley, she won the Best Actress award at the Locarno International Film Festival. In 2016, she directed her first movie, Paint It Black. In 2021, she starred in the TV series Y: The Last Man.

Besides acting, Tamblyn is also a published author. She has written seven books. She also writes for The New York Times and other places. Her writing often focuses on topics like fairness for women and women's rights.

Early Life and Family Background

Amber Tamblyn was born in Santa Monica, California. Her father, Russ Tamblyn, is a famous actor, dancer, and singer. He was in movies like West Side Story and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Her mother, Bonnie Murray, is a singer, teacher, and artist. Her grandfather, Eddie Tamblyn, was a vaudeville performer. Her uncle, Larry Tamblyn, played keyboard in the 1960s band The Standells.

Amber went to the Santa Monica Alternative School House. She described it as "very unorthodox" with no letter grades. When she was ten, she played Pippi Longstocking in a school play. Her father's agent was there and suggested Amber try out for acting roles.

Acting Career Highlights

Amber Tamblyn has had a long and successful career in both television and movies.

Television Roles and Series

Tamblyn posing in 2004

Amber's first TV role was Emily Bowen on the soap opera General Hospital. She played this character for six years, from 1995 to 2001. In 2002, she appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

She became much more famous playing Joan Girardi in the CBS drama Joan of Arcadia. In this show, Joan was a teenager who often talked to God. Amber's father even appeared on the show as God in the form of a dog walker! The show ran from 2003 to 2005.

Amber also had guest roles on popular shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Boston Public, and CSI: Miami. She was even pranked on Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher!

In 2009, Tamblyn starred in The Unusuals as Detective Casey Shraeger. She also had a recurring role with her husband, David Cross, in the show The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

From 2010 to 2011, she played medical student Martha M. Masters in the Fox medical drama House. She returned for the show's final episode in 2012.

In 2013, Tamblyn joined the sitcom Two and a Half Men. She played Jenny, the long-lost daughter of Charlie Harper. She appeared alongside Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer.

She has also appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, Portlandia, and Comedy Bang! Bang!. In 2021, she starred in the TV series Y: The Last Man, which was based on a graphic novel.

Film Appearances and Directing

Amber Tamblyn started her film career with small parts in her father's movies. Her first big movie role was in 2005. She played Tibby Rollins in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She starred with Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Blake Lively. She played Tibby again in the 2008 sequel, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

She also appeared in horror films. These include the opening scene of The Ring (2002) and The Grudge 2 (2006).

In 2006, she won an award for her role in Stephanie Daley. In this film, she played a 16-year-old facing a very difficult situation. She was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance.

In 2010, she had a role in the drama 127 Hours, starring James Franco. In 2015, she appeared with her father, Russ, in the movie Django Unchained.

In 2016, Amber Tamblyn directed her first movie, Paint It Black. The movie starred Alia Shawkat and was based on a novel by Janet Fitch. Amber had wanted to make this movie since 2012. She ended up writing and directing it herself. The film received good reviews.

Writing and Creative Works

Amber Tamblyn is a talented writer. She has published several books of poetry and essays.

Published Books and Poetry

In 2005, her first book of poems, Free Stallion, was published. She wrote these poems between the ages of 11 and 21. Reviewers said her poems showed "real insight and stunning language for one so young."

In 2009, she released her second poetry collection, Bang Ditto. In 2015, her third book, Dark Sparkler, came out. This book combined poetry with art and explored the lives of child star actresses. Famous artists like Marilyn Manson and David Lynch contributed art to the book. For its release, Amber and the band Yo La Tengo created a special show with poetry and music.

In 2019, she published Era of Ignition; Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution. This book is a collection of her thoughts on culture and her own life experiences. It focuses on feminism during challenging times.

Amber has also self-published two smaller poetry books. She often performs her poetry at readings. She also wrote a poetry book called The Loneliest, inspired by the musician Thelonious Monk.

Poetry and Feminist Work

Since 2009, Amber has written for the Poetry Foundation's blog, Harriet. One of her poems, "Bridgette Anderson," was featured in a book by Saul Williams.

In 2007, she helped start the Write Now Poetry Society. This group creates unique poetry events. Since 2011, she has reviewed poetry books by women for the feminist magazine BUST Magazine.

Personal Life and Activism

Amber Tamblyn is married to actor and comedian David Cross. They got engaged in 2011 and married in 2012. They have one daughter, born in 2017.

She has close relationships with famous friends of her father, like musician Neil Young and actors Dean Stockwell and Dennis Hopper. She calls them her "godfathers," meaning they were important influences in her life. She was also mentored by the late San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman.

Involvement in Politics and Social Causes

Amber Tamblyn is active in politics and social issues. She supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 United States presidential election. She encouraged people to check voter ID rules and suggested VoteRiders for help.

She is one of the founders of Time's Up, a non-profit group that works against harassment and inequality. She is also a strong feminist.

In October 2023, Tamblyn signed a letter called Artists4Ceasefire. This letter asked Joe Biden, the President of the United States, for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza.

Family and Financial Independence

In 2021, Amber wrote an essay for The New York Times. She shared her own experiences with money and family. She wrote about how her parents became her managers when she became successful at age 21. She explained that having her parents on her payroll sometimes made their relationship difficult. However, she also said that her parents were supportive and ethical. She felt like an "ATM" for her extended family and friends, always helping with money. But she also felt loved unconditionally.

Tamblyn at the MuchMusic Video Awards red carpet, June 17, 2007

Selected Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Discography

Awards and Nominations

Amber Tamblyn has received many awards and nominations for her acting. Her role as Joan Girardi in Joan of Arcadia earned her nominations for both a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award in 2004. She was also nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress in a Television Series in 2004 and 2005.

See also

In Spanish: Amber Tamblyn para niños