Marley Shelton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marley Shelton
Shelton at the premiere of Grindhouse (2007)
Born	Marley Eve Shelton (1974-04-12) April 12, 1974 (age 51) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Beau Flynn ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	2
Relatives	Samantha Shelton (sister)

Marley Eve Shelton (born April 12, 1974) is an American actress. She is famous for many movie roles. You might know her as Wendy Peffercorn in the fun movie The Sandlot (1993). She also played Dr. Dakota Block in the action-packed film Grindhouse (2007). More recently, she was Sheriff Deputy Judy Hicks in the scary Scream movies (2011–2022). Some of her other well-known films include Pleasantville (1998) and Never Been Kissed (1999).

Early Life and Education

Marley Eve Shelton was born on April 12, 1974. Her hometown is Los Angeles, California. Her mom, Carol, was a teacher and singer. Her dad, Christopher Shelton, was a director and producer.

Marley is the second of four daughters. Her sister, Samantha Shelton, is also an actress and musician. Marley grew up in a neighborhood called Eagle Rock. She went to Eagle Rock High School.

Later, she studied film and theater at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She also took acting classes. Marley started getting small parts in movies and TV shows. She left UCLA when she got a main role in the 1997 movie Warriors of Virtue.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in the 1990s

Marley Shelton first appeared on screen in the 1991 movie Grand Canyon. She also acted in TV movies and shows. These included Family Matters and Camp Wilder.

Her career really took off with the 1993 film The Sandlot. She played Wendy Peffercorn, a lifeguard. The movie was a big success. It cost US$7 million to make and earned over US$33 million. It has become a cult classic that many people love.

In 1994, Marley was in Hercules in the Underworld. This was a TV movie from the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys series. The next year, she had a small role in Oliver Stone's movie Nixon. She also appeared in the TV show Cybill. In 1996, she co-starred in When Friendship Kills. This TV movie was about eating disorders in teens.

In 1997, Marley appeared in Trojan War. She also played Princess Elysia in Warriors of Virtue. Critics didn't love these movies. But James Berardinelli praised Marley's acting in Warriors of Virtue. He said her character was the most interesting.

A big movie role came in 1998. She played Margaret in Pleasantville. This fantasy comedy was well-liked by critics. After this, Marley appeared in many teen-focused films. She was in the popular romantic comedy Never Been Kissed (1999). She played a member of a snobby high school group. The movie starred Drew Barrymore. In 1999, she also appeared in The Bachelor and Lured Innocence. Her father directed her in the short film Protect-O-Man.

Becoming a Star in the 2000s

In 2001, Marley took on important roles in three movies. These helped her become a rising actress. She was the main star in Sugar & Spice. She played Diane Weston, a cheerleader who plans a robbery. Critics had mixed feelings about the movie. But Brendan Kelly of Variety said Marley was "good." Brian Orndorf of Film Fodder said she "steals the film." Sugar & Spice became a cult favorite.

Next, Marley was in the slasher film Valentine. She played Kate Davies, who is stalked by a killer. The movie earned US$36 million worldwide. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle said Marley had "nice gravity" in her role. Her last film of 2001 was Bubble Boy. She played the love interest of a boy who lives in a bubble. A CNN reviewer called the movie "stupid." But Brian Orndorf said Marley made a "strong impression."

After these big studio films, Marley worked on independent movies. She was in Just a Kiss (2002). She also appeared in Dallas 362 (2003) and Grand Theft Parsons (2003). Her father directed her and her sister Samantha in Moving Alan.

In 2005, Marley had a small but memorable part in Sin City. She played The Customer. In 2006, she had small roles in American Dreamz and The Last Kiss.

Shelton at an event in October 2007

Marley gained more attention in 2007. She played Dr. Dakota Block in the horror double feature Grindhouse. This movie was directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Marley was excited to work with them. She based her character on female leads in Alfred Hitchcock's movies. The film received good reviews from critics.

In 2008, Marley had a small role in W.. This movie was about George W. Bush. She also took on her first full-time TV role. She played FBI Special Agent Rachel Young in Eleventh Hour. The show got mixed reviews and was canceled after one season.

In 2009, Marley played a tourist in A Perfect Getaway. She also had the main role in (Untitled). She played Madeleine Gray, an art gallery owner. Critics praised her performance. Roger Ebert said she had the "confidence and presence of a born comedienne." Stephen Holden of The New York Times said she gave a "bright screwball performance." Her last film of 2009 was Women in Trouble. She played a flight attendant named Cora.

Recent Work in the 2010s and 2020s

Marley played Cora again in Elektra Luxx (2010). In 2011, she returned to the scary movies. She played Deputy Judy Hicks in Scream 4. She had tried out for a different role in the first Scream movie years before. Marley got the part of Judy Hicks when another actress dropped out. The movie made US$97 million worldwide. Matthew Turner of View London said Marley gave an "enjoyably weird performance."

She also reunited with actress Carla Gugino in The Mighty Macs. This sports drama was about a nun who coaches basketball. Marley played Sister Sunday. Nell Minow praised Marley, saying she showed how the sister's faith made her strong. Marley also had guest roles in TV shows like Harry's Law and Mad Men.

In 2014, Marley starred in the short film Mediation. She was nominated for an award for her role. She also appeared in Decoding Annie Parker. This drama was about finding a cure for breast cancer. Marley played the sister of a woman researching the cure. That same year, she had a main role in the TV series The Lottery. She played a doctor in a future where women can't have children. The show aired for one season.

Shelton in 2018

In 2015, Marley played a wife in the thriller Solace. She also starred in the 2016 Christmas movie Heaven Sent. In 2018, she was in the NBC musical drama series Rise. She played the wife of an English teacher. The show was canceled after one season. In 2018, Marley also had a small part in the science fiction monster film Rampage. This movie earned over US$428 million worldwide.

In 2022, Marley returned as Judy Hicks in Scream. Her character was promoted to sheriff. Her son, named Wes, was introduced as a tribute to the late director Wes Craven. Marley said she was touched by the movie's respect for Craven. The film earned over US$140 million globally. Critics praised it for honoring Craven's work.

Personal Life

Marley Shelton met film producer Beau Flynn in 2000. They met while working on the movie Bubble Boy. They got married in July 2001.

Their first daughter, West Flynn, was born on September 6, 2009. Their second daughter, Ruby Jeanne Flynn, was born on May 1, 2012.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Marley Shelton para niños