The Performers like a bee world

Elizabeth Banks

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Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell was born on February 10, 1974 and raised in the picturesque western Massachusetts town of Pittsfield. She is the eldest of 4 children and grew up in a in a divided sports house (Her mom was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and her dad was a fan of the New York Yankees). Self-described as having been seen as a “goody two-shoes” in her youth and was nominated to be the local Harvest Queen in school – Elizabeth was also an outdoorsy tomboy who loved riding horses and going to baseball games, she had thoughts of becoming an athlete herself, until she broke her leg sliding into third base at a softball game. Looking for something else to do after school, she gave the school play a shot and fell in love with performing. She continued to appear in school productions up until her graduation from Pittsfield High School in 1992, at which point she moved to Philadelphia, earning a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1996. Elizabeth continued her dramatic training at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA, where she earned a graduate degree and garnered extensive stage credits in productions such as “Hurly Burly,” “Bethlehem,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “A Woman of No Importance” and “Uncle Vanya,” as well as the Guthrie Theater’s production of “Summer & Smoke.”

After graduating from the American Conservatory Theater, Elizabeth moved to New York and worked in the theater as well as obtaining her first roles on-screen, small parts in movies and guest-starring roles on television series (like Sex & The City, Third Watch and Law & Order: SVU). Seeking more screen work, Elizabeth eventually moved to Los Angeles and more roles soon came (in the films Surrender, Dorothy, Shaft and her “break-out” role in Wet Hot American Summer). It also required that she change her name to avoid confusion with another actress named Elizabeth Mitchell who had already established herself in the acting realm.

In the early 2000′s, Elizabeth began to receive smaller roles in big films, starring some of Hollywood’s most notable actors and directors. (Including: Steven Spielberg, Sam Raimi, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Samuel L. Jackson, Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Glenn Close, Maria Bello, and Willem Dafoe to name a few) This lead to critical praise and even being named one of Movieline magazine’s, “Young Hollywood’s Up-and-Comers”. Soon, Elizabeth began getting larger roles in indpendent films. (such as The Baxter, Heights and The Sisters)

2006 was definitely a milestone year for Elizabeth. Not only did she get larger roles in films, but she began to get wide-spread exposure from the films The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Slither. Also in 2006, Elizabeth returned to the small screen in the hit comedy Scrubs as Dr. Kim Briggs, the love interest of J.D. (played by Zach Braff). Her character has appeared throughout season six and seven as a recurring guest star.

With more than nine films currently in production and / or awaiting release, plus the recent success of Definitely, Maybe, Elizabeth has shown what an accomplished and in demand actress she is.

Filmography

Fred Claus (2007)

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