Shareeka Epps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shareeka Epps
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| Born | July 11, 1989 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2004–present |
Shareeka Epps (born July 11, 1989) is an American actress. She is well-known for her role in the 2006 movie Half Nelson, where she starred alongside Ryan Gosling. Her performance in the film earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Shareeka Epps was discovered while she was still in junior high school. Her first acting role was in a short film called Gowanus, Brooklyn in 2004. In this film, she played a high school student named Drey. The movie was a success and won an award at the "Sundance Film Festival" for short filmmaking.
Breakthrough Role in Half Nelson
The success of Gowanus, Brooklyn led to a full-length movie called Half Nelson. This film was released on August 11, 2006. It tells the story of a middle school teacher in the city who becomes friends with one of his students after she learns about a personal challenge he is facing. Shareeka Epps played her role as Drey again, and Ryan Gosling played the teacher. The movie also featured actor Anthony Mackie.
Awards and Recognition for Half Nelson
Shareeka Epps received many awards and nominations for her acting in Half Nelson. She won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor in 2006. The Boston Society of Film Critics Awards named her Best Supporting Actress in 2006. She also won the Best Female Lead award at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2007. She was nominated for several other awards, including those from the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards.
Education and Other Roles
Shareeka Epps finished high school in 2007 at Binghamton High School in New York. She then went to SUNY Broome Community College and earned her associate's degree.
In 2007, Shareeka had a small role in the movie Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. Most of her scenes were not included in the final movie. She later made her first TV appearance in 2008 on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2013, she starred in the movie American Milkshake.
Shareeka also provided spoken vocals for two songs, "Intro" and "Werewolf Heart," on the 2009 album by the music group Dead Man's Bones. Interestingly, Ryan Gosling, her co-star from Half Nelson, is one of the members of this band.
Shareeka Epps lives in New York today.
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gowanus, Brooklyn | Drey | Short film |
| 2006 | Half Nelson | Drey | |
| 2007 | Neal Cassady | Annie Gibson | |
| 2007 | Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | Kendra | Uncredited role |
| 2009 | The Winning Season | Lisa Robinson | |
| 2010 | My Soul to Take | Chandele Brown | |
| 2010 | Mother and Child | Ray Lawrence | |
| 2011 | Yelling to the Sky | Fatima Harris | |
| 2013 | American Milkshake | Henrietta |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Ashley Tyler | Episode: "Undercover" |
| 2020 | The Fugitive | Ronnie Lawson | 2 episodes |
Awards and Nominations
- Black Reel Awards
- 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated)
- 2007, Best Breakthrough Performance: Half Nelson (Nominated)
- Boston Society of Film Critics
- 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Winner)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
- 2007, Best Young Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated)
- Chicago Film Critics
- 2007, Most Promising Newcomer: Half Nelson (Nominated)
- Independent Spirit Awards
- 2006, Best Female Lead: Half Nelson (Winner)
- Online Film Critics Society
- 2007, Best Breakthrough Performance: Half Nelson (Nominated)
- St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association
- 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated)
See also
In Spanish: Shareeka Epps para niños
