Erica Leerhsen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Erica Leerhsen
Leerhsen at the 2005 screening of Little Athens
Born	(1976-02-14) February 14, 1976 (age 49) New York City, U.S.
Education	Boston University (BFA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2000–present
Spouse(s)	Antony Galvan ​ ​ (m. 2007; div. 2008)​ David Wilson ​ (m. 2012)​

Erica Lei Leerhsen (born February 14, 1976) is an American actress. She became known for her main role in the horror movie Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000). After this, she had a repeating role in the first season of The Guardian. She also starred in the popular horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003).

Erica Leerhsen has appeared in many other horror films. These include Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007) and The Butterfly Room (2012). She is sometimes called a scream queen, which is an actress known for roles in horror movies. She has also acted in films by director Woody Allen, such as Hollywood Ending (2002) and Magic in the Moonlight (2014).

Early Life and Education

Erica Leerhsen was born in New York City. She grew up in Ossining, Westchester County, New York. She has two younger sisters named Debbie and Nora. Her father, Charles Leerhsen, was an editor for the magazine Us Weekly.

Erica went to St. Augustine's School and Ossining High School. She later studied at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. While in college, she acted in plays like The Call of the Wild and The Tempest. She graduated in 1998 with a degree in acting.

Acting Career

Early Roles in the 2000s

Erica Leerhsen's first film role was in the short movie Junior Creative (2000). Soon after, she appeared in the horror movie Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000). This film earned over $47 million around the world. She was even nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for her role. This award is given for achievements in horror films.

After this, Leerhsen appeared in several TV shows. In 2001, she joined the cast of the TV series The Guardian. She played Amanda Bowles, a caring but ambitious associate. She also had a supporting role in Woody Allen's film Hollywood Ending (2002).

Leerhsen at the 2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre premiere

In 2003, Leerhsen starred in the horror remake The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. She played one of the teenagers in danger. She once said that she screamed so loudly during her audition that people called the police. The movie was a big success at the box office. It earned over $80 million in the U.S. This role helped her become a well-known actress in horror films.

Also in 2003, Leerhsen was a guest star in two episodes of the TV show Alias. She also appeared in Woody Allen's romantic comedy Anything Else. She worked with Allen again in his play A Second-Hand Memory in 2004.

Mid-2000s Films and TV

In 2005, Leerhsen starred with Michael Peña in the independent film Little Athens. This movie was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. Critics praised her acting in the film. One reviewer said she showed great skill.

In 2006, Leerhsen made a guest appearance in the TV show Ghost Whisperer. She also played the main female character, Bronwin, in the romantic comedy Mozart and the Whale. She also appeared in an episode of the crime drama CSI: Miami. In the drama The Warrior Class, she played a supporting role. This film was released directly to DVD in 2007.

She then starred in the horror sequel Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007). This movie was released on DVD and was well-liked by reviewers. Critics noted her strong performance. One reviewer said she "continues to impress" and had "chops far beyond what is required for this type of film."

Leerhsen had the main role in the horror-thriller film Living Hell. She played Carrie Freeborn, a specialist in dangerous materials. The film first aired on the SCI FI Channel in 2008. In 2009, she starred in the independent horror film Lonely Joe. She played Michele Connelly, a reporter who returns to her hometown. She did her own stunts for the film and was almost hit by a train during one scene.

2010s Projects

In 2011, Leerhsen filmed a short comedy called First Dates. This movie explored the dating lives of several single people. She also made one-episode appearances in the TV shows The Good Wife (2011) and Person of Interest (2012).

She played a neighbor in The Butterfly Room, a horror film from Italy and America. The movie was released in Europe in 2012 and in the U.S. in 2014. Leerhsen also starred in the low-budget horror film The Message (2012).

In 2013, Leerhsen starred in the independent thriller Phobia. She played Dr. Lesley Parker, a doctor in the 1800s. She also had a supporting role in Mischief Night, a slasher film released in late 2013.

Leerhsen appeared in Woody Allen's romantic comedy Magic in the Moonlight (2014). She played Caroline, a member of a rich American family. This was the fourth time Leerhsen worked with Woody Allen. He praised her acting skills, saying she always performs well.

Personal Life

Erica Leerhsen married professional cyclist Antony Galvan in February 2007. They divorced in 2008. She now lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, David Wilson. They married on June 29, 2012. Besides acting, Leerhsen enjoys yoga, running, and playing basketball.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Erica Leerhsen para niños