Jessica Chapnik
Encyclopedia
Jessica Chapnik is an Argentinian-Australian actress and musician. She is probably best known for her role as Sam Tolhurst/Holden in the Australian television drama Home and Away
(2006—2008). Her latest music project is under the name of Appleonia, for which she is currently working on an album.
, Argentina
, but migrated to Sydney
, Australia
with her family when she was five years old. On arriving to Australia, speaking no English, they lived in a migrant hostel for one year. She has a Catholic Italian mother and a Jewish Argentinian father of Polish descent, but was brought up in an Argentinian, Spanish-speaking home (she is fluent in Spanish). Both religions were a strong influence in her life. After high school, Chapnik attended the University of New South Wales in Sydney and graduated with a degree in sociology, theatre and film.
for two years at the Atlantic Theater Company
Acting School, which was founded by playwright David Mamet
. While living in New York, she acted in a string of theatre productions, including plays by Pinter, Mamet and Genet. On returning to Sydney she continued working in theatre, and in 2006 she joined Australian TV drama Home and Away
, playing Sam Tolhurst/Holden. The role was only supposed to last three months, but was extended to one year due to the storyline’s popularity. Chapnik later had a guest role in the American adventure/fantasy series Legend of the Seeker
, playing Anna Brighton. The episodes (episode 12: “Home” and episode 14: “Hartland”) were broadcast in early 2009 on Disney-ABC Domestic Television. In 2009 she also starred in the Spanish-speaking short film Amanecer
(Daybreak), which won several awards around the world at Latin film festivals.
, Old Man River
, Lior
and the Kahn Brothers. While touring, Chapnik met musician Ben Lee
and the two later began collaborating on music projects. In 2008 Chapnik recorded the soundtrack for the Australian film The Square
, directed by Nash Edgerton
. All songs were written and produced by Ben Lee, and sung by Chapnik. The album was nominated for both an AFI Award and an Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Fine Arts Award for “Best Original Soundtrack”.
In Chapnik’s latest music project she goes under the name Appleonia, a character inspired by mythology and Prince
’s film Purple Rain
. The album is being recorded in Los Angeles and Sydney, and is produced by Ben Lee, with all songs written by Chapnik.
).
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
(2006—2008). Her latest music project is under the name of Appleonia, for which she is currently working on an album.
Early life
Chapnik was born in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, but migrated to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
with her family when she was five years old. On arriving to Australia, speaking no English, they lived in a migrant hostel for one year. She has a Catholic Italian mother and a Jewish Argentinian father of Polish descent, but was brought up in an Argentinian, Spanish-speaking home (she is fluent in Spanish). Both religions were a strong influence in her life. After high school, Chapnik attended the University of New South Wales in Sydney and graduated with a degree in sociology, theatre and film.
Acting career
Chapnik trained as an actress in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for two years at the Atlantic Theater Company
Atlantic Theater Company
Atlantic Theater Company is an Off-Broadway non-profit theater, whose mission is to produce great plays "simply and truthfully utilizing an artistic ensemble." The company was founded in 1985 by David Mamet, William H. Macy, and 30 of their acting students from New York University, inspired by the...
Acting School, which was founded by playwright David Mamet
David Mamet
David Alan Mamet is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director.Best known as a playwright, Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize and received a Tony nomination for Glengarry Glen Ross . He also received a Tony nomination for Speed-the-Plow . As a screenwriter, he received Oscar...
. While living in New York, she acted in a string of theatre productions, including plays by Pinter, Mamet and Genet. On returning to Sydney she continued working in theatre, and in 2006 she joined Australian TV drama Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, playing Sam Tolhurst/Holden. The role was only supposed to last three months, but was extended to one year due to the storyline’s popularity. Chapnik later had a guest role in the American adventure/fantasy series Legend of the Seeker
Legend of the Seeker
Legend of the Seeker is a television series based on The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. Distributed in U.S. by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, ABC Studios produced the series, which was its first foray into broadcast syndication, with Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Joshua Donen, Ned Nalle and...
, playing Anna Brighton. The episodes (episode 12: “Home” and episode 14: “Hartland”) were broadcast in early 2009 on Disney-ABC Domestic Television. In 2009 she also starred in the Spanish-speaking short film Amanecer
Amanecer
Amanecer is a 2009 short film written and directed by Alvaro D. Ruiz, produced by Luci Temple and Janet Duncan of Luneta Productions, and Ulysses Oliver of Marshmallow Productions...
(Daybreak), which won several awards around the world at Latin film festivals.
Music career
Chapnik formed her first band at the age of 18. In recent years she has toured nationally and internationally with bands and artists such as Sarah BlaskoSarah Blasko
Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which...
, Old Man River
Old Man River
Old Man River may refer to:* Mississippi River, U.S.* "Ol' Man River", a song from the musical Show Boat* "Old Man River ", a song by Reba McEntire from Unlimited* Old Man River...
, Lior
Lior
Lior is a male, independent Australian singer-songwriter based in Melbourne.-Career:In early 2005, Lior independently self-released his debut album Autumn Flow, certified gold by ARIA...
and the Kahn Brothers. While touring, Chapnik met musician Ben Lee
Ben Lee
Benjamin Michael "Ben" Lee is an ARIA Award winning musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney band Noise Addict, but focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian film The Rage in Placid Lake...
and the two later began collaborating on music projects. In 2008 Chapnik recorded the soundtrack for the Australian film The Square
The Square
The Square may refer to:* The Square, Bournemouth, a public square* The Square, Tallaght, a shopping centre in Dublin* The Square, Harlow, a small music venue in England.* Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, locally known as The Square...
, directed by Nash Edgerton
Nash Edgerton
Nash Edgerton is an Australian film director and stuntman.-Life and career:Edgerton was born in Blacktown, New South Wales and is the brother of actor Joel Edgerton....
. All songs were written and produced by Ben Lee, and sung by Chapnik. The album was nominated for both an AFI Award and an Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Fine Arts Award for “Best Original Soundtrack”.
In Chapnik’s latest music project she goes under the name Appleonia, a character inspired by mythology and Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
’s film Purple Rain
Purple Rain (film)
Purple Rain is a 1984 film directed by Albert Magnoli and written by Magnoli and William Blinn. Prince makes his film debut in this movie, which was developed to showcase his particular talents, hence, the film contains several extended concert sequences. The film grossed more than US$80 million at...
. The album is being recorded in Los Angeles and Sydney, and is produced by Ben Lee, with all songs written by Chapnik.
Personal life
Chapnik was married in 2011 to musician Nadav Kahn of the Kahn Brothers (and formerly of art rock band GelbisonGelbison
Gelbison is an Australian pop rock band based in Sydney, and featuring the Kahn brothers Edo and Nadav - who also perform in Nations by the river.-History:The band's first album, 1704, was produced By Ian Ball of the British band Gomez....
).