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Mae Whitman
Mae Whitman (53080274298).jpg
Whitman in 2023
Born
Mae Margaret Whitman

(1988-06-09) June 9, 1988 (age 36)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1993–present
Children 1
Parent(s)
  • Pat Musick (mother)

Mae Margaret Whitman (born June 9, 1988) is an American actor. She began her career as a child actor, starring in the films When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), One Fine Day (1996), Independence Day (1996), and Hope Floats (1998), and the television series Chicago Hope (1996–1999) and JAG (1998–2001). She earned mainstream recognition for her performances in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development (2004–2006, 2013), the NBC drama series Parenthood (2010–2015)—for which she was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award—and the NBC crime comedy series Good Girls (2018–2021). She also had roles in the films Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and The DUFF (2015), the latter earning her a Teen Choice Award nomination.

Whitman has also worked as a voice actor in film and television, including Little Suzy in Johnny Bravo (1997–2004), Shanti in The Jungle Book 2 (2003), Katara in the Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008), Rose / Huntsgirl in American Dragon: Jake Long (2005–2007), Tinker Bell in the eponymous film series (2008–2015), Cassie Sandsmark / Wonder Girl in Young Justice (2012–2022), April O'Neil in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017), Amity Blight in The Owl House (2020–2023), Annie in Skull Island (2023–present), and reprising her Scott Pilgrim role as Roxie Richter in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023).

Early life

Whitman was born in Los Angeles, the only child of voice actress Pat Musick and personal manager and set construction coordinator Jeffrey Whitman. She attended Ribet Academy.

Career

Early roles

She started her career with a voice-over for a Tyson Chicken commercial at the age of two. Acting coach Andrew Magarian helped her memorize lines as she could not read. In 1994, at the age of six, Whitman made her film debut acting alongside Meg Ryan in When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), playing Ryan's youngest daughter, Casey Green. She beat 700 other girls who were interested in the part. In 1996, Whitman appeared in two films: Independence Day, playing Bill Pullman's daughter Patricia Whitmore, and One Fine Day, playing George Clooney's daughter Maggie Taylor. The same year, Whitman guest starred in the season three episode of Friends, "The One Where Rachel Quits". In 1998, she played Sandra Bullock's daughter, Bernice Pruitt, in Hope Floats. During several guest appearances from 1998 until 2001, Whitman played the role of Chloe Madison on JAG before starring in the Fox Family series State of Grace in which she portrayed Grace, a girl from a Catholic background who befriends Hannah (Alia Shawkat), a Jewish girl. She was also in 17 episodes of Chicago Hope.

2000s

Mae Whitman by Gage Skidmore
Whitman at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con

From 2004 to 2006, Whitman had a recurring role on Arrested Development. She also voiced Katara on Avatar: The Last Airbender from 2005 to 2008. Whitman appeared in the 2006 series Thief for FX Networks, playing the stepdaughter of Nick Atwater (Andre Braugher). Whitman made several high-profile guest appearances in 2006 and 2007. She also appeared on Desperate Housewives in the episode "Nice She Ain't" as Sarah, a friend of Julie Mayer (Andrea Bowen). Whitman also had a recurring role on Chicago Hope (1994–2000), playing the daughter of Dr. Kate Austin (Christine Lahti), in the series' later years.

Whitman was initially cast in the 2007 series remake of The Bionic Woman, playing the deaf younger sister of the title character. On June 27, 2007, TV Guide reported that Whitman was being replaced in the role of Jaime's sister and Lucy Hale was cast as Whitman's replacement the following July. An NBC spokesperson confirmed this, stating "The decision was purely creatively driven. It is very common to change storylines, characters, actors after the initial pilot is shot." The sister character's hearing was restored after this recasting at the request of an NBC executive.

She also appeared in the 2008 episode "Streetwise" of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. She appeared in the HBO series In Treatment as the supporting character Rosie.

Whitman voiced the character Tinker Bell in the Disney Tinker Bell films: Tinker Bell (2008), Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009) and Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (2010). As part of a deal to promote the production of the first Tinker Bell film, the UK's speaking clock started to use her voice at 0100GMT on October 26, 2008. Furthermore, she voiced the role as Rose in American Dragon: Jake Long, and played Cynder in The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night.

2010s

In 2009, Whitman landed a regular role in NBC's version of the Ron Howard classic Parenthood, which premiered in 2010. She played Amber Holt, "a rebellious and willful teen whose only interest at present is her wannabe rock star boyfriend." Whitman played evil ex Roxy Richter in Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, a film adaptation of the Bryan Lee O'Malley indie comic series Scott Pilgrim, which also starred her former Arrested Development co-star Michael Cera in the title role. Whitman appeared on Family Guy in 2010. She had a large role in the 2012 film The Perks of Being a Wallflower opposite Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller.

In 2013, she reprised her role as Ann Veal in Arrested Development's season four, six years after the series was canceled. She appeared alongside Darren Criss in three episodes of season three of Lisa Kudrow's Web Therapy, playing his girlfriend. In 2015, Whitman played the lead role in the comedy The DUFF. She also started filming Operator alongside Martin Starr in June. She voiced Batgirl in DC's Super Hero Girls series debuting on September 10, 2016. According to co-writer and director Roland Emmerich, Whitman did not reprise her role as the President's daughter in Independence Day: Resurgence, the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster hit Independence Day, because she did not want to read for the part.

Whitman has expressed her feelings on being typecast as an outsider in various roles in television and movies. She has talked about being a child actor and her relatable experiences such as being bullied in high school for being "weird." In an interview with Bello Mag, Whitman explains that the entertainment industry constantly tells actors what they are "not" and felt her choosing of these roles was her "trying to communicate to everyone" who may go through similar situations, that it's okay to be who they are. One of Whitman's more notable quotes is, "People should recognize who you are and how you can act rather than how famous you are."

In 2018, Whitman was cast alongside Christina Hendricks and Retta on the NBC dramedy Good Girls. The show was renewed for a fourth season on May 15, 2020. In June 2021, the series was canceled after four seasons.

2020s

Whitman appears in the 2020 musical film Valley Girl, a remake of the 1983 film of the same name. From 2020 to 2023, she voiced Amity Blight in The Owl House. She played a leading role in the Hulu original series Up Here in 2023, which was cancelled after one season.

Personal life

On August 16, 2021, shortly after the airing of The Owl House episode "Knock, Knock, Knocking on Hooty's Door", Whitman came out as pansexual via Twitter, saying she knows she can "fall in love with people of all genders" and that she wished there were characters representing people like her when she was growing up. She is also open about her struggle with endometriosis, which went undiagnosed for 15 years.

On May 12, 2024, Whitman announced she was pregnant with her first child. She gave birth to a son on August 28, 2024.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1994 When a Man Loves a Woman Casey Green
1995 Bye Bye Love Michele
1996 Independence Day Patricia Whitmore
One Fine Day Maggie Taylor
1998 Gingerbread Man, TheThe Gingerbread Man Libby Magruder
Hope Floats Bernice Pruitt
1999 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Girl Voice, direct-to-video
Invisible Child Rebecca 'Doc' Beeman
A Season for Miracles Alanna 'Lani' Thompson
2001 American Rhapsody, AnAn American Rhapsody Maria (age 10)
2002 Wild Thornberrys Movie, TheThe Wild Thornberrys Movie Schoolgirl Voice
2003 Jungle Book 2, TheThe Jungle Book 2 Shanti Voice
2004 Teacher's Pet Leslie
2005 Going Shopping Coco
2006 Bondage, TheThe Bondage Angelica
Love's Abiding Joy Colette Doros
2007 Boogeyman 2 Alison
2008 Nights in Rodanthe Amanda Willis
Tinker Bell Tinker Bell Voice
2009 Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Spring Breakdown Lydia Direct-to-video
2010 Barry Munday Candice
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Roxanne "Roxy" Richter
Scott Pilgrim vs. the Animation Lisa Miller Voice
Short film
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Tinker Bell Voice
2011 Factory, TheThe Factory Abby Fletcher
Pixie Hollow Games Tinker Bell Voice
Short film
2012 Secret of the Wings Voice
Perks of Being a Wallflower, TheThe Perks of Being a Wallflower Mary Elizabeth
2013 Pixie Hollow Bake Off Tinker Bell Voice, short film
2014 The Pirate Fairy Voice
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast Voice
The Wind Rises Kayo, Kinu English dub
2015 The DUFF Bianca Piper
Freaks of Nature Jenna Zombie
2016 Rock Dog Darma Voice
DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year Barbara Gordon / Batgirl Voice, direct-to-video
Operator Emily Klein
2017 Bernard and Huey Zelda
CHiPs Beebee
DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games Barbara Gordon / Batgirl Voice, direct-to-video
Dear Angelica Jessica Voice
Short film
2018 A Dog and Pony Show Dede Voice, direct-to-video
Duck Butter Ellen
DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis Barbara Gordon / Batgirl Voice, direct-to-video
2020 Valley Girl Jack

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Degree of Guilt Elena Argos Television film
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge Young Ashley Judd
1996 After Jimmy Rosie
Duckman Baby Rose Voice, episode: "Sperms of Endearment"
Early Edition Amanda Bailey Episode: "The Choice"
Friends Sarah Tuttle Episode: "The One Where Rachel Quits"
What a Cartoon! Little Suzy Voice, episode: "Johnny Bravo and the Amazon Women"
1996–1999 Chicago Hope Sara Wilmette 17 episodes
1997 Superman: The Animated Series Young Lois Lane Voice, episode: "Monkey Fun"
Merry Christmas, George Bailey Zuzu Bailey Television film
The Legend of Calamity Jane Eleanor Roosevelt Voice
1997–2004 Johnny Bravo Little Suzy, various voices Voice, 52 episodes
1998–2001 JAG Chloe Madison 8 episodes
1999 Invisible Child Rebecca 'Doc' Beeman Television film
Judging Amy Darcy Mitchell Episode: "Last Tango in Hartford"
Providence Frances Carlyle 2 episodes
Jingle Bells Beth Voice, television film
Hallmark Hall of Fame Alanna 'Lani' Thompson Episode: "A Season for Miracles"
The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Little Girl Voice, episode: "This Is the Kitty/Eye for an Aye Aye"
2000–2002 Teacher's Pet Leslie Dunkling Voice, 5 episodes
2000 Godzilla: The Series Meg Voice, episode: "Shafted"
Wild Thornberrys, TheThe Wild Thornberrys Antoinette Voice, episode: "Luck Be an Aye-Aye"
2001 Max Steel Jo Voice, episode: "The Return"
Jackie Chan Adventures Buttercup Scout Leader Episode: "Scouts Honor"
2001–2002 State of Grace Emma Grace McKee 40 episodes
2002 Presidio Med Tory Redding Episode: "Do No Harm"
Zeta Project, TheThe Zeta Project Amy Voice, episode: "The River Rising"
2002–2004 Fillmore! Various voices 7 episodes
2003 Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones? Various voices 4 episodes
2004 Cold Case Eve Kendall Episode: "Lover's Lane"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Glynnis Carson Episode: "No Humans Involved"
Century City Erin Pace Episode: "Without a Tracer"
2004–2006,
2013
Arrested Development Ann Veal 16 episodes
2005 Happy Elf, TheThe Happy Elf Molly Voice, television film
2005–2007 American Dragon: Jake Long Rose / Huntsgirl, additional voices Voice, 19 episodes
2005–2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender Katara, Lu Ten Voice, main role
2006 Thief Tammi Deveraux 6 episodes
Desperate Housewives Sarah Episode: "Nice She Ain't"
Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise Emily Bishop Television film
Phil of the Future Crying Girl Episode: "Stuck in the Meddle with You"
2007 Justice Jenny Marshall Episode: "False Confession"
Grey's Anatomy Heather Douglas 2 episodes
Lost in the Dark Amy Tolliver Television film
Ghost Whisperer Rachel Fordham Episode: "Don't Try This at Home"
ER Heather Episode: "The Test"
The Modifyers Agent Zero, Lacey Shadows Voice, pilot
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Cassidy Cornell/ Helen Braidwell Episode: "Streetwise"
Good Behavior Roxy West Pilot
2008–2010 In Treatment Rosie Weston 5 episodes
2008–2023 Family Guy Various voices 35 episodes
2009 Acceptance Taylor Rockefeller Television film
Criminal Minds Julie Episode: "Cradle to Grave"
Glenn Martin, DDS Amish Girl, Trailer Park Teen Voice, 2 episodes
2009–2010 Cleveland Show, TheThe Cleveland Show Additional voices 2 episodes
2010–2015 Parenthood Amber Holt 103 episodes
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Barbara Gordon Voice, 2 episodes
Jesse Stone: No Remorse Emily Bishop Television film
2011–2022 Robot Chicken Various voices 4 episodes
2012–2013,
2019–2022
Young Justice Cassie Sandsmark / Wonder Girl, Stephanie Brown, Tommi Tompkins, Helena Sandsmark Voice, 14 episodes
2012 Weeds Tula Episode: "See Blue and Smell Cheese and Die"
2012–2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles April O'Neil, various voices Voice, 92 episodes
2012,
2015–2018
DreamWorks Dragons Heather Voice, 36 episodes
2013 Web Therapy Blair Yellin 3 episodes
2013–2014,
2019
American Dad! Glitter, Zooey, additional voices 4 episodes
2013 Masters of ... Patient 1 episode
2014 Suburgatory Caris Episode: "Blame it on the Rainstick"
AJ's Infinite Summer Morgan, Receptionist Voice, pilot
2015 Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship Power Girl Voice, television film
2015–2018 DC Super Hero Girls Barbara Gordon / Batgirl, Speed Queen Voice, main role
2016 DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High Voice, television film
2016–2019 ... History Herself, Lyudmila Pavlichenko 3 episodes
2016 Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Marcy Episode: "Spring"
2017 Voltron: Legendary Defender Plaxum Voice, episode: "Depths"
Room 104 Liza Episode: "Phoenix"
Big Mouth Tallulah Levine Voice, episode: "The Head Push"
2018–2021 Good Girls Annie Marks Main role
2020–2023 The Owl House Amity Blight Voice, main role
2020 American Experience Additional voices Episode: "The Vote"
Kidding Chloe Episode: "I Wonder What Grass Tastes Like"; uncredited
2020–2022 Doug Unplugs Becky Bot Voice, main role
2021 Invincible Connie, Model Voice, episode: "It's About Time"
2022 Birdgirl Reporter Voice, episode: "With a K"
2023 Up Here Lindsay Main role
Skull Island Annie Voice, main role
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Roxanne "Roxie" Richter Voice
2024 Chibiverse Amity Blight Voice, episode: "The Chibi Couple Game", uncredited

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes References
2004 EverQuest II Lilly Ironforge, Thana Rumblehoof
2005 Kingdom Hearts II Yuffie Kisaragi Also appears in Final Mix+ in 2007
2006 Cartoon Network Racing Little Suzy
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Yuffie Kisaragi
Avatar: The Last Airbender Katara
2007 Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night, TheThe Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Cynder
The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth, Avatar:Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth Katara
2008 The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno, Avatar:Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno
2011 MLB, NicktoonsNicktoons MLB
2013 Young Justice: Legacy Helena Sandsmark, Cassie Sandsmark / Wonder-Girl
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles April O'Neil
2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze
Infinity 2.0, DisneyDisney Infinity 2.0 Tinker Bell
2015 Stronghold Crusader II The Princess (DLC Voice)
2014;
2017
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Yuffie Archive sound
2017 Prey Danielle Sho
2020 Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind Yuffie

Audio books

Year Novel Voice role
2014 The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Clary Fray
2019 The Testaments Nicole / Daisy

See also

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