Madeline Zima
Encyclopedia
Madeline Rose Zima is an American
actress. She is mostly known for her six years as Grace Sheffield on the TV series The Nanny
or more recently as Mia Lewis on the Showtime dramedy Californication
and as Gretchen Berg on Heroes
.
, to Marie and Dennis Zima. She has two younger sisters, Vanessa
and Yvonne
, both of whom are also actresses. Her surname means "winter
" in Polish
and comes from her paternal grandfather, who was from Poland
.
to appear in a television commercial for Downy
fabric softener
. She played the role of Grace Sheffield on the television show The Nanny
for six years. Zima has become known for her work in films such as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
and appeared in the Hilary Duff
film A Cinderella Story
and Dimples, Looking for Sunday, Once in a Very Blue Moon and Legacy
alongside Haylie Duff
In 2007, Zima played Mia Lewis, a sexually precocious and conniving 16-year old, on the series Californication
. Zima returned for a second season of Californication in 2008. In promotion of Mia's book, Fucking and Punching, Zima starred in several Californication webisodes that are featured on YouTube
. In 2009, Zima joined the cast of Heroes
as Gretchen Berg, Claire Bennet
's quirky bisexual roommate and tentative love interest.
She stars as Jill in the 2009 release The Collector
.
She was also nominated thirteen times for a Young Artist Award at the Young Artist Awards:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. She is mostly known for her six years as Grace Sheffield on the TV series The Nanny
The Nanny (TV series)
The Nanny is an American television sitcom co-produced by Sternin & Fraser Ink, Inc., and Fran Drescher in association with TriStar Television for the CBS network...
or more recently as Mia Lewis on the Showtime dramedy Californication
Californication (TV series)
Californication is an American comedy-drama that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007. The show was created by Tom Kapinos. The protagonist, Hank Moody , is a troubled novelist whose move to California, coupled with his writer's block, complicates his relationships with his longtime girlfriend...
and as Gretchen Berg on Heroes
Heroes (TV series)
Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
.
Early life
Zima was born in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, to Marie and Dennis Zima. She has two younger sisters, Vanessa
Vanessa Zima
-Early life:Zima was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. She is a daughter of Dennis and Marie Zima. She has an older sister, Madeline, and one younger sister, Yvonne.-Career:Zima has played parts in movies such as Ulee's Gold, Zoe and TheBrainiacs.com...
and Yvonne
Yvonne Zima
Yvonne Marie Zima is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Daisy Carter on The Young and the Restless.-Early life:...
, both of whom are also actresses. Her surname means "winter
Winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...
" in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
and comes from her paternal grandfather, who was from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Career
Zima began her career at the age of 24 months when she was chosen as a toddlerToddler
A toddler is a young child, usually defined as being between the ages of one and three. Registered nurse, midwife and author, Robin Barker, states 'Any time from eight months onwards your baby will begin to realise he is a separate person from you...
to appear in a television commercial for Downy
Downy
Downy is a brand name of fabric softener produced by Procter & Gamble and sold in the United States. It entered the U.S. test market in August 1960 and went nationwide in December 1961...
fabric softener
Fabric softener
Fabric softener is used to prevent static cling and make fabric softer. It is available as a liquid, crystals and dryer sheets.- Varieties :...
. She played the role of Grace Sheffield on the television show The Nanny
The Nanny
Nanny may refer to:* Nanny, a child's caregiver* A grandmother * A Cajun word for godmother * A female goat* Nanny , a 1981–83 British drama series starring Wendy Craig* Nanny of the Maroons...
for six years. Zima has become known for her work in films such as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (film)
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a 1992 American thriller about a vengeful nanny out to destroy a naïve woman and steal her family. The film was directed by Curtis Hanson, starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay, and Matt McCoy...
and appeared in the Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
film A Cinderella Story
A Cinderella Story
A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American romantic comedy film. The film stars Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, Chad Michael Murray and Regina King and was directed by Mark Rosman. The film's plot revolves around two Internet pen pals who meet at a school dance and fall in love but two different worlds...
and Dimples, Looking for Sunday, Once in a Very Blue Moon and Legacy
Pretty Little Devils
Pretty Little Devils is a 2008 direct-to-video American black comedy film directed by Irving Rothberg. It stars Haylie Duff, Kate Albrecht and Tom Green.The film was released on August 12, 2008 in the United States under the title Legacy....
alongside Haylie Duff
Haylie Duff
Haylie Katherine Duff is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is the older sister of actress and singer Hilary Duff...
In 2007, Zima played Mia Lewis, a sexually precocious and conniving 16-year old, on the series Californication
Californication (TV series)
Californication is an American comedy-drama that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007. The show was created by Tom Kapinos. The protagonist, Hank Moody , is a troubled novelist whose move to California, coupled with his writer's block, complicates his relationships with his longtime girlfriend...
. Zima returned for a second season of Californication in 2008. In promotion of Mia's book, Fucking and Punching, Zima starred in several Californication webisodes that are featured on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. In 2009, Zima joined the cast of Heroes
Heroes (TV series)
Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
as Gretchen Berg, Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet
Claire Bennet is a fictional character in the NBC science fiction drama series Heroes. She is portrayed by Hayden Panettiere and first appeared on television in the pilot episode of the series, "Genesis" on September 25, 2006...
's quirky bisexual roommate and tentative love interest.
She stars as Jill in the 2009 release The Collector
The Collector (2009 film)
The Collector is a 2009 American horror film written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton and directed by Marcus Dunstan. Originally titled The Midnight Man, the script was originally intended to be a Saw prequel, but the producers were against the idea and quickly dismissed it.-Plot:Arkin, is an...
.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Emma Bartel | ||
| 1993 | Mr. Nanny Mr. Nanny Mr. Nanny is a 1993 comedy film starring professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. The working title of the film was Rough Stuff, and David Johansen also recorded a song by that name for the film.-Plot:... |
Kate Mason | |
| 1993 | Holly | Short film | |
| 1997 | 'Til There Was You 'Til There Was You 'Til There Was You is a 1997 American romantic drama film directed by Scott Winant. The screenplay, written by Winnie Holzman, traces thirty-odd years in the parallel lives of two people whose intertwined paths finally converge when their mutual interest in a community project brings them... |
Gwen, age 12 | |
| 1998 | |||
| 1998 | Second Chances | Melinda Judd | |
| 2001 | Girl #1 | Short film | |
| 2004 | Brianna | ||
| 2006 | Looking for Sunday | Trisha | |
| 2008 | Dimples | Frances | |
| 2008 | Streak Streak (film) Streak is a 2008 American coming of age short film directed by Demi Moore, written by Kelly Fremon and Allan Loeb, and starring Brittany Snow and Rumer Willis. The film was actress Demi Moore's directorial debut and only film to date. The plot focuses on a young woman stuck in a life she no... |
Stella | Short film |
| 2009 | Jill Chase | ||
| 2010 | Trance | Jessica | |
| 2010 | Mitzi | ||
| 2010 | My Own Love Song My Own Love Song My Own Love Song is a 2010 road movie directed and written by Olivier Dahan and starring Renée Zellweger, Forest Whitaker, Madeline Zima and Nick Nolte... |
Billie | |
| 2011 | Lake Effects | Lily | Completed |
| 2011 | Crazy Eyes Crazy Eyes (film) Crazy Eyes is an upcoming independent film co-written and directed by Adam Sherman.-Cast:... |
Rebecca | Post-production |
| 2012 | Long Time Gone | Annie | Pre-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Law & Order Law & Order Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,... |
Samantha Silver | Episode: "Extended Family" |
| 1993-1999 | Grace Sheffield | 145 episodes | |
| 1996 | JAG JAG (TV series) JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions... |
Cathy Gold | Episode: "Sightings" |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della... |
Alexandra 'Ally' | Episode: "Children of the Night" |
| 1999 | Jo Ann Foley (age 14) | TV movie | |
| 1999 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Katie | Episode: "Starlight, Star Bright" |
| 1999 | Lethal Vows Lethal Vows Lethal Vows is an American drama/thriller television movie starring John Ritter, Marg Helgenberger and Megan Gallagher. The movie premiered October 13, 1999, on CBS.-Synopsis:... |
Danielle Farris | TV movie |
| 2000 | Rachel Green | TV movie | |
| 2001 | Alexis Hall | Episode: "School Spirit School Spirit (The Nightmare Room) School Spirit is an episode from R.L. Stine's The Nightmare Room. This episode was first aired on October 20, 2001 on Kids WB. This is the sixth episode from the season .-Plot summary:... " Episode: "Full Moon Halloween" |
|
| 2001 | King of the Hill King of the Hill King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas... |
(voice) | Episode: "Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story (King of the Hill) "Kidney Boy and Hamster Girl: A Love Story" is the 104th episode of the Fox animated series King of the Hill, broadcast as the 20th episode in the 5th season. This episode is rated TV-PG L.-Plot:... " Episode: "Bobby Goes Nuts Bobby Goes Nuts "Bobby Goes Nuts" is the 105th episode in the FOX animated television series King of the Hill, and was broadcast as the 6th season premiere. This episode is rated TV-PG for offensive language and violence .-Plot:... " |
| 2001 | Gilmore Girls Gilmore Girls Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW... |
Lisa | Episode: "Like Mother, Like Daughter" |
| 2003 | Lucy Lucy (film) Lucy is a 2003 television film directed by Glenn Jordan. It is based on the life and career of actress and comedian Lucille Ball.-Plot:Lucy opens in 1960, at the filming of the final Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Show... |
Teen Lucy | TV movie |
| 2003 | 7th Heaven 7th Heaven 7th Heaven is an American family drama television series, created and produced by Brenda Hampton. The series premiered on August 26, 1996, on the WB, the first time that the network aired Monday night programming, and was originally broadcast from August 26, 1996 to May 13, 2007... |
Alice Miller | Episode: "Go Ask Alice" |
| 2004 | Strong Medicine Strong Medicine Strong Medicine is a medical drama with a focus on feminist politics, health issues and class conflict. The television series aired on the Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It is distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The series was created and produced in part by comedienne and... |
Pam | Episode: "Like Cures Like" |
| 2006 | 3 lbs 3 lbs 3 lbs is a drama that aired on CBS from November 14 to 28, 2006, replacing the cancelled series Smith. The show itself was then canceled three weeks later due to poor ratings.... |
Cassie Mack | Episode: "Lost for Words" |
| 2007 | Ghost Whisperer Ghost Whisperer Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005 to May 21, 2010.The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon , who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts... |
Maddy Strom | Episode: "Mean Ghost" |
| 2007 | Grey's Anatomy Grey's Anatomy Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in... |
Marissa | Episode: "Forever Young" |
| 2007-present | Californication Californication Californication is a portmanteau of the words California and fornication, appearing in Time on May 6, 1966 and written about on August 21, 1972, additionally seen on bumper stickers in the U.S. states of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington... |
Mia Lewis | 28+ episodes |
| 2008 | 5 or Die | Amelia | TV short |
| 2008 | Legacy | Zoey Martin | Video |
| 2009-2010 | Heroes Heroes (TV series) Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the... |
Gretchen Berg | 11 episodes |
| 2010 | First Dates | Kelly | Video |
| 2010 | My Boys My Boys My Boys is an American television sitcom that debuted on November 28, 2006, on TBS. The show deals with a female sports columnist in Chicago, Illinois and the men in her life including her brother and her best friend... |
Ashley | Episode: "Be a Man!" |
| 2011 | Royal Pains Royal Pains Royal Pains is a USA Network television series that premiered on June 4, 2009, starring Mark Feuerstein, Paulo Costanzo, Jill Flint and Reshma Shetty. The series is based in part on actual concierge medicine practices of independent doctors and companies... |
Episode: "Me First" |
Awards and nominations
She was nominated three times for a YoungStar Award at the YoungStar Awards, in 1995, 1997 and 1999 all of them for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series for The Nanny (1993).She was also nominated thirteen times for a Young Artist Award at the Young Artist Awards:
- 1993 - Best Young Actress Under Ten in a Motion Picture for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
- 1994 - Best Youth Actress Leading Role in a Motion Picture Comedy and for Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series shared with Benjamin SalisburyBenjamin SalisburyBenjamin David Salisbury is an American actor best known for playing the role of Brighton Sheffield on the CBS television sitcom The Nanny from 1993 to 1999.-Biography:...
and Nicholle TomNicholle TomNicholle Tom is an American actress, best known for her role as Maggie Sheffield on The Nanny.-Career:Since 2006, Tom has starred in the IFC original The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman as Tara, an underling at a film production company.Before her fame on The Nanny, she was known for...
both for The Nanny (1993) - 1995 - Best Performance by a Youth Actress as a TV Guest Star for Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
(1990), and Best Performance by a Youth Ensemble in a Television Series shared with Nicholle TomNicholle TomNicholle Tom is an American actress, best known for her role as Maggie Sheffield on The Nanny.-Career:Since 2006, Tom has starred in the IFC original The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman as Tara, an underling at a film production company.Before her fame on The Nanny, she was known for...
and Benjamin SalisburyBenjamin SalisburyBenjamin David Salisbury is an American actor best known for playing the role of Brighton Sheffield on the CBS television sitcom The Nanny from 1993 to 1999.-Biography:...
, Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a TV Series, all of them for The Nanny (1993) - 1996 - Best Performance by a Young Actress in a TV Comedy Series for The Nanny (1993)
- 1998 - Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series by a Supporting Young Actress for The Nanny (1993)
- 2001 - Best Performance in a TV Movie (Drama) by a Leading Young Actress for The Sandy Bottom Orchestra