‘SMART COOKIES’

CAST BIOS

JESSALYN GILSIG (Julie) – has the distinction of portraying some of the most memorable characters on television. She reunited with creator for a lead role in his Golden Globe® and SAG Award-winning FOX musical dramedy “.” Previously Gilsig starred for Murphy on the Globe-winning “Nip/Tuck” while simultaneously appearing on Brett Ratner’s breakout FOX drama “” as Dominic Purcell’s ex-wife. On “Nip/Tuck,” Gilsig portrayed feisty Gina Russo to Julian McMahon’s slick Dr. Troy. The show garnered Gilsig impressive reviews, enough to garner her additional stand-out recurring roles on NBC’s hit dramas “Heroes” as the cheerleader’s mother, on “Friday Night Lights” and, more recently, on “CSI: NY.” Next on the horizon is the indie film “Somewhere Slow,” in which she served double duty as star and producer.

No stranger to acclaimed programming, Gilsig is also known for her role as strong-willed Social Studies teacher Lauren Davis on “Boston Public,” a role that creator David E. Kelly had created with her in mind. Gilsig also achieved series regular status on “Snoops,” as well as in an arc on “.” She also recurred as a detective on ’s “NYPD Blue,” guest starred on “Law & Order” and starred in the Emmy®-nominated web series “Imaginary Bitches.”

Also impressive are Gilsig’s film credits. She recently appeared as Brittany Snow’s aunt in Screen Gem’s hit remake of the thriller “Prom Night,” and once again reunited with the film’s director for Sony’s remake of another 80’s thriller “The Stepfather.” Additionally, she starred in the action/thriller “XIII” alongside Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff. Gilsig has also worked with the likes of Robert Redford on “The Horse Whisperer” and appeared as Sally Field’s daughter in Showtime’s “A Cooler Climate.” She took to the ice for the Canadian hockey drama “Chicks with Sticks” with Jason Priestley, starred for the Weitz brothers in the mockumentary “See This Movie,” and also starred opposite Robert Carlyle in Lionsgate’s “Flood.”

A native, Gilsig honed her talents at ’s prestigious American Repertory Theatre. An extensive list of stage credits includes the off-Broadway productions of Fifth of July, in which she starred opposite Robert Sean Leonard and Parker Posey, Gun Shy, and Mere Mortals.

Gilsig currently resides in Los Angeles where she enjoys painting when not juggling her many projects. In fact, her works recently appeared in the acclaimed film “The Station Agent” as the painting of Patricia Clarkson’s character.

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PATRICIA RICHARDSON (Lola) – Patricia Richardson began her career in understudying Louise/Gypsy in the revival of Gypsy starring . She very happily got her Equity card from Arthur Laurents on her first in New York.

In that first decade of her career, she created roles in two plays: Collard in The Wake of Jamie Foster on Broadway and Elaine in The Miss Firecracker Contest, as well as Janice in Weller's Loose Ends, also on Broadway. She also originated parts in Mark O'Donnell's Fables For at Playwrights Horizons, Kevin Wade's Cruise Control at the WPA, and several others plays off- Broadway and in repertory theatres around the country.

Richardson is best known for playing Jill Taylor on ABC's “ Improvement,” for which she received four Emmy® nominations and two Golden Globe® nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, a Vision Award, a Topaz Award from Women in Film and more recently a TV Land Award with the rest of the cast.

She received a commendation and a nomination from the Prism Awards for her performance as Andy Campbell on Lifetime Television's “Strong Medicine,” and had a recurring role as 's Chief of Staff during the last two years of “.” She co-hosted the Emmy® Awards with Ellen DeGeneres in 1994.

Richardson received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her first starring part in a movie, “Ulee's Gold” with Peter Fonda. She also starred in “Dead Simple” with James Caan and Danny Stern, “Sophie and the Moonhanger,” the miniseries “Undue Influence” and more recently the films “Beautiful Wave” and “Avarice.”

Richardson lives in and is the proud mother of Henry, a writer at GawkerTV and twins Joe and Roxie, who are in college.

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BAILEE MADISON (Daisy) – At just 12, Bailee Madison is already one of the most proficient actresses in the business, effortlessly executing both dramatic and comedic roles, as well as establishing her presence in the world of philanthropy. With inherent charm, sharp intelligence and a vibrant personality, Madison is a multitalented actress who has showcased her talent across the board.

Most recently, Madison had a starring role in producer Guillermo Del Toro’s thriller “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. Madison was recommended for the role by her “Brothers” co-star Natalie Portman. She played a withdrawn child being haunted by insatiable demons in the film, released in August 2011.

That same year Variety honored Madison for her philanthropic efforts with Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the “Variety Power of Youth Awards” which pays homage to the industry’s most

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talented young activists. A driven and talented young actress, Madison is equally committed to using her public profile to raise awareness for those less fortunate. Between filming major motion pictures, she has been devoting her time and energy to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an organization that encourages children nationwide to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer through running their own lemonade stands. In 2012, ALSF named Madison their national Youth Spokesperson.

In 2009, Madison delivered one of the most sought out performances from a child actress under the age of 10, earning her a Critics Choice Movie Award nomination for her work in Jim Sheridan’s film “Brothers” opposite Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal. She played the young Betty Ann Waters in Fox Searchlight’s “Conviction” with Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver. Her other films include “Letters to God” and Hallmark Channel’s “A Taste of Romance” with Teri Polo.

For her role in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, “Just Go With It” with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, Madison earned rave reviews with The Wall Street Journal, which wrote “How 11-Year- Old Bailee Madison Stole Adam Sandler’s Movie.”

Madison captured audiences’ hearts with her role as May Belle in Disney’s “Bridge to Terabithia,” and has left lasting impressions with her performances in the independent film “Phoebe in Wonderland” starring and Elle Fanning, and on television in NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU.” She appears as Maxine in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” for its fourth and final season and recently executed the iconic role of Young Snow White in the ABC hit series “Once Upon A Time.”

Madison’s independent film “Cowgirls n’ Angels” was released in May 2012. She starred as Ida Clayton, a young girl with a knack for horse riding, who, on a search for her father, finds an unconventional family in the rodeo circuit. Next up, Madison will be seen again on the big screen starring as the daughter of Marisa Tomei and the granddaughter of Bette Midler and Billy Crystal in 20th Century Fox and Walden Media’s “Parental Guidance,” out Christmas Day.

When Madison isn’t traveling, she loves spending time at home with family and friends, barbecuing, swimming and playing on her swing set with her dog, Maddy, always by her side.

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TY OLSSON (Tom) – A graduate of Vancouver's prestigious theatre school Studio 58, Ty Olsson’s motto has always been to take work regardless of the size the role. This work ethic has led him to over 75 television and feature appearances.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Olsson’s feature credits include “Rise of The Planet of the Apes,” "Twilight,” "2012,” “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” “X-Men 2,” “Elektra,” “Just Friends,” “RV,” “Marriage” and “Alien Vs Predator 2.”

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Recent work includes starring in the CTV “Borealis,” the Lifetime film “The Killing Game,” and regular roles on the ABC series “Defying Gravity” and “Men in Trees.” His guest spots include “Hell on ,” “Once Upon A Time,” “Human Target,” “Eureka,” “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Evidence” and “Supernatural.”

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SAMANTHA FERRIS (Hazel) – Samantha Ferris was born in Vancouver and started her on camera career as a weather reporter. Her first real acting break came in the feature film “Along Came a Spider” with Morgan Freeman and Monica Potter for Paramount Pictures.

Ferris is best known for her recurring leading roles in sci-fi shows such as “Supernatural,” “V,” “The 4400,” “Stargate SG1” and “Battlestar Galactica.” However, this is just a fraction of her television appearances as she has guest starred in such television productions as “Human Target,” “The Chris Isaak Show,” “” and “Reunion.”

On the big screen, Ferris made a strong impact for her performance in the Sundance Festival hit thriller “Grace” and held a standout performance in Showtime’s highly acclaimed feature “The Ranch.” Other films include “Shattered,” “Grey Matters” and “The Killing Machine” with Dolph Lundgren.

Ferris’s most recent appearance was in one of the final episodes of season six for the CW’s “Supernatural.” She will next be seen in “The Tall Man” with Jessica Biel.

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