Annie Ilonzeh

Last updated

Annie Ilonzeh
Born
Annette Ngozi Ilonzeh [1]

(1983-08-23) August 23, 1983 (age 40)
Grapevine, Texas, U.S. [2]
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present

Annette Ngozi Ilonzeh (born August 23, 1983) is an American actress. From 2010 to 2011, she played Maya Ward on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital , and later starred as Kate Prince in the short-lived ABC reboot of Charlie's Angels . She later had recurring roles on shows such as Arrow , Drop Dead Diva and Empire . In 2017, Ilonzeh played Kidada Jones in the biographical drama film All Eyez on Me , and starred in the thriller 'Til Death Do Us Part . From 2018 to 2020, she started as Emily Foster in the NBC drama series, Chicago Fire .

Contents

Life and career

Ilonzeh was born in Grapevine, Texas, and went to Colleyville Heritage High School. [3] Her father is a Nigerian of Igbo descent, [4] and her mother is white. [5] In 2007, she made her television debut in an episode of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother . She had bit roles in the movies He's Just Not That Into You , Miss March and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief . [6] Ilonzeh had a recurring role in the CW prime time soap opera Melrose Place from 2009 to 2010, and in 2010 guest starred in three episodes of Entourage . From 2010 to 2011, she played the role Maya Ward on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital .

In January 2011, Ilonzeh was announced as one of the "Angels" on the reboot of the 1970s television series Charlie's Angels . The series, which premiered in September 2011, received mostly negative reviews, [7] and was cancelled the day after the fourth episode. In March 2012, it was announced that Ilonzeh would be recurring on The CW series Arrow . [8] Later that year, she began appearing in a recurring role in the ABC Family drama series Switched at Birth . In 2013, she played a leading role in the Lifetime television film Killer Reality. [9] Ilonzeh also guest starred in the second season of CW's Beauty & the Beast , [10] and had a recurring role on Lifetime comedy-drama Drop Dead Diva in 2013. Later, she had a recurring roles on Person of Interest and Empire .

In 2017, Ilonzeh had her first major film role, playing Kidada Jones in the biographical drama All Eyez on Me , about hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur. [11] Later that year, she played the leading role in the psychological thriller film 'Til Death Do Us Part . [12] The film was released on September 29, 2017 and grossed $3.5 million. [13] Also that year she guest-starred in American Horror Story: Cult episode "Great Again". In 2018, Ilonzeh appeared in the action thriller Peppermint , [14] and was cast in a lead role on the ABC drama pilot Staties, [15] which was not pucked up to series. Later in 2018, Ilonzeh began portraying Emily Foster in Dick Wolf's Chicago franchise, first starring in Chicago Fire . [16] She was in two seasons, departing following Season 7. [17] In 2021 she starred in the another unsold pilot, the drama Getaway for NBC. [18]

In 2022, Ilonzeh starred in action-thriller film, Agent Game . The film was released in the United States on April 8, 2022, by Saban Films. It was panned by critics. [19] In 2023, Ilonzeh starred in four films playing leading roles: the horror thriller Fear , the psychological thriller Ruined , the thriller Vicious Affair, and the horror-thriller Soul Mates . [20] [21] In 2024 she starred in the thriller film The Stepdaughter for tubi. [22]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009 He's Just Not That Into You Hot Girl
2009 Miss March Beautiful Girl #2
2009Not NecessaryWhitleyShort film
2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Aphrodite Girl
2017 All Eyez on Me Kidada Jones
2017 'Til Death Do Us Part Madison Roland/Kate Smith
2018 Peppermint FBI Agent Lisa Inman
2022 Agent Game Caroline Visser [23]
2023 Fear Bianca
2023 Ruined Olivia “Liv” Richards
2023 Vicious Affair Skylar HastingsAlso producer
2023 Soul Mates AllisonAlso producer
2024 The Stepdaughter Whitney HughesAlso producer
TBAThinestraDemetriaPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007 How I Met Your Mother BeckyEpisode: "The Yips"
2008 Do Not Disturb -Episode: "Pilot"
2009–10 Melrose Place NatashaRecurring cast
2010–11 General Hospital Maya Ward Regular Cast
Entourage RachelRecurring cast: Season 7, guest: Season 8
2011 The Game AntheaEpisode: "A Very Special Episode"
Charlie's Angels Kate PrinceMain Cast
2012–13 Switched at Birth LanaRecurring cast: Season 1-2
2012–14 Arrow Joanna De La VegaRecurring cast: Season 1, guest: Season 2
2013Killer RealityHayley VanceTV movie
2013Diary of a ChampionCiara TryceRecurring cast
2013 Drop Dead Diva NicoleRecurring cast: Season 5
2013–14 Beauty & the Beast Beth BowmanEpisode: "Reunion" & "Operation Fake Date"
2014 Rush Jordana RourkeEpisode: "Where Is My Mind?"
2015 Allegiance Julia MarcusEpisode: "Pilot"
Guy TheorySkylar ThomasEpisode: "Perfect Storm"
Graceland Courtney GalloRecurring cast: Season 3
2015–16 Person of Interest Harper RoseRecurring cast: Season 4, guest: Season 5
2016 Empire Harper ScottRecurring cast: Season 2
2017 American Horror Story: Cult ErikaEpisode: "Great Again"
2018–20 Chicago Fire Emily FosterMain Cast: Season 7-8
Chicago P.D. Emily FosterCrossover Cast: Season 6-7
2019 Chicago Med Emily FosterEpisode: "Infection, Part II"
2021The Lower BottomsBeulah RhodesMain Cast, podcast

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Travis</span> American actress (born 1961)

Nancy Ann Travis is an American actress. She began her career on Off-Broadway theater, before her first leading screen role in the ABC television miniseries Harem opposite Omar Sharif. Her breakthrough came in 1987, playing Sylvia Bennington in the comedy film Three Men and a Baby. She later starred in its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady (1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Olin</span> American actor (born 1954)

Kenneth Edward Olin is an American actor, television director, and producer. As an actor, Olin is known for his role as Michael Steadman in the ABC drama series Thirtysomething (1987–1991), for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama nomination in 1990. Olin later began working behind the scenes, as a director and producer. His credits as a producer include Alias (2001–2006), Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011), and This Is Us (2016–2022). Olin is married to actress Patricia Wettig.

Amy Pietz is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is known for her roles on television. She received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for her role as Annie Spadaro in the NBC sitcom Caroline in the City (1995–99). She later had starring roles in the short-lived sitcoms Cursed, Rodney, and Aliens in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justina Machado</span> American actress

Justina Milagros Machado is an American actress. She began her career playing secondary roles on television and film before starring as Vanessa Diaz in the HBO comedy-drama series, Six Feet Under (2001—05), for which she received Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Machado later starred in the short-lived series Missing, Three Rivers and Welcome to the Family and was a regular cast member in the first season of the USA Network crime drama Queen of the South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Cassidy</span> American actress

Katherine Evelyn Anita Cassidy is an American actress. Following several minor television roles, she came to attention as a scream queen after starring in the horror films When a Stranger Calls (2006), as Kelli Presley in Black Christmas (2006) and as Ruby in the third season of the horror series Supernatural (2007–2008). Following a supporting role in the action film Taken (2008), Cassidy played leading roles in the slasher series Harper's Island (2009) and the remake of the drama series Melrose Place (2009–2010). She starred as Kris Fowles in the slasher film remake A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) and had a recurring role as Juliet Sharp during the fourth season of the teen drama Gossip Girl (2010–2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Lawrence</span> American actress (born 1961)

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence is an American actress. From 1993 to 1999, she starred as Sylvia Costas in the ABC drama series, NYPD Blue. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She received three additional Emmy Awards nominations for her later television performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Mabrey</span> American actress

Sunny Mabrey is an American actress. Prior to debuting in films, Mabrey appeared in music videos, such as "Nookie" from Limp Bizkit. Her breakthrough came after she played the lead role, man-eating alien Sara, in Species III (2004), supporting antagonist Charlie Mayweather in XXX: State of the Union (2005) and flight attendant Tiffany in Snakes on a Plane (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherri Saum</span> American actress

Sherri Michelle Saum is an American actress. Saum is best known for her co-lead role as Lena Adams Foster in the Freeform drama series The Fosters (2013–2018) as well as a subsequent guest star role in its spinoff Good Trouble (2019–present). She is also known for her television roles in Beggars and Choosers, Rescue Me, In Treatment and Locke & Key, as well as for her roles in the daytime soap operas Sunset Beach and One Life to Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Lucas</span> Canadian actress (born 1985)

Jessica Lucas is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles in television, such as Edgemont, Melrose Place, Cult, and Gotham, and in the films The Covenant, Cloverfield and the 2013 Evil Dead. She also starred in the music video for Coldplay's 2014 single "True Love".

Jennifer Aspen is an American actress, best known for her roles as Daphne Jablonsky in Fox teen drama series Party of Five (1998–2000), as Trina Hamilton in ABC family sitcom Rodney (2004–2006), as Kendra Giardi in the first season of the Fox musical comedy series Glee and as Sharon Peacham on ABC comedy-drama GCB (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ana Ortiz</span> American actress and singer (born 1971)

Ana Ortiz is an American actress and singer. Having pursued a career in ballet and singing from a young age, she eventually attended University of the Arts. Ortiz began her acting career in theatre, in early 2000s starred in the short-lived NBC sitcoms Kristin (2001) and A.U.S.A. (2003), and had recurring roles on Over There and Boston Legal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darby Stanchfield</span> American actress (born 1971)

Darby Leigh Stanchfield is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Abby Whelan in the ABC political drama series Scandal (2012–2018). Stanchfield is also known for roles as April Green in the CBS post-apocalyptic drama series Jericho (2006–07), and as Helen Bishop in the AMC period drama series Mad Men (2007–08). In 2020, she began starring as Nina Locke in the Netflix fantasy horror series Locke & Key.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Cohan</span> British-American actress (born 1982)

Lauren Cohan is a British-American actress and model best known for her role as Maggie Rhee in the AMC post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, a role which she reprises in The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023–present). Her other notable TV roles include Bela Talbot in the dark fantasy drama Supernatural (2007–2008), Rose in the supernatural teen drama The Vampire Diaries (2010–2012), Vivian McArthur Volkoff in the action comedy Chuck (2011), and Francesca "Frankie" Trowbridge in the action comedy-drama Whiskey Cavalier (2019). Her film appearances include the comedy Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj (2006), the psychological thriller horror The Boy (2016), the biographical drama All Eyez on Me (2017), and the action thriller Mile 22 (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rya Kihlstedt</span> American actress

Rya Kihlstedt is an American actress. She starred in the 1997 comedy film Home Alone 3 as Alice Ribbons. The following years she appeared in films Deep Impact (1998), Women in Trouble (2009) and The Atticus Institute (2015). On television, she had a recurring roles as Dr. Michelle Ross in the Showtime crime drama Dexter and as Marilyn Rhodes in the ABC musical drama Nashville. In 2015, she starred in the NBC miniseries Heroes Reborn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Hardrict</span> American actor

Cory Hardrict is an American actor. He has appeared in film and television since the late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Rodriguez</span> American actress

Elizabeth Rodriguez is an American actress. She began her career appearing in films Fresh (1994), Dead Presidents (1995), I Think I Do (1997) and Blow (2001). She played Detective Gina Calabrese in the 2006 film adaptation of Miami Vice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Falahee</span> American actor and singer

John Ryan Falahee is an American actor and singer. On television, he portrayed Connor Walsh on the ABC legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020) and Frank Stringfellow on the PBS historical drama Mercy Street (2016–2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edwina Findley</span> American actress

Edwina Findley, also known as Edwina Findley Dickerson, is an American actress. Findley played the recurring roles in the HBO television dramas The Wire (2003–04) and Treme (2010–13), and from 2014 to 2020 starred as Kelly Isaacs, one of the lead characters in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, If Loving You Is Wrong.

Yara Martinez is an American television actress, born in Puerto Rico, who is best known for her roles as Kelly in Hollywood Heights and as Dr. Luisa Alver on The CW series Jane the Virgin.

Damon Joseph Dayoub is an American actor.

References

  1. ↑ "Annie Ilonzeh". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Annie Ilonzeh Bio". Soapoperadigest.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  3. ↑ Martindale, David (June 13, 2017). "Tarrant actress Annie Ilonzeh goes all-in on Tupac film, 'a story that needs to be told'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved March 17, 2019– via www.star-telegram.com.
  4. ↑ @AnnieIlonzeh (October 19, 2014). "#family #ezinulo #igbo✈️ #Nigeria @ My Roots" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ "Annie Ilonzeh Doesn't See Color But Is Happy To Be Charlie's First Black Angel". October 10, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  6. ↑ Filmography by type for Annie Ilonzeh. IMDb
  7. ↑ Adams, Erik; VanDerWerff, Emily (September 22, 2011). "'Charlie's Angels' seems like it's embarrassed to be an 'Angels' remake". The A.V. Club. The Onion . Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  8. ↑ Jeffery, Morgan (March 13, 2012). "'Arrow': CW superhero drama adds 'Charlie's Angels' star Annie Ilonzeh". Digital Spy. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Killer Reality". myLifetime.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ Ross, Robyn (September 5, 2013). "Beauty and the Beast Scoop: Who Are Cat and Vincent's New Threats?". TV Guide. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  11. ↑ Obenson, Tambay A. (February 20, 2016). "Annie Ilonzeh Cast to Play Kidada Jones in Morgan Creek's Tupac Shakur Biopic" . Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  12. ↑ "'Til Death Do Us Part': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . September 30, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Til Death Do Us Part". Box Office Mojo.
  14. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (November 28, 2017). "Jennifer Garner Thriller 'Peppermint' Adds Kyla Drew & Annie Ilonzeh" . Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  15. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 21, 2018). "'Staties': Annie Ilonzeh Cast As Lead Of ABC Drama Pilot" . Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 20, 2018). "'Chicago Fire': Annie Ilonzeh Cast As New Series Regular For Season 7". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  17. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 16, 2020). "Annie Ilonzeh Departs 'Chicago Fire' After 2 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  18. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 18, 2021). "Annie Ilonzeh to Star in NBC's 'Getaway'".
  19. ↑ "Agent Game | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. April 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Soul Mates | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. October 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Fear | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. January 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "TUBI ORIGINAL: The Stepdaughter (2024)". February 24, 2024.
  23. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (March 5, 2021). "Mel Gibson, Dermot Mulroney, Katherine McNamara, Rhys Coiro & Annie Ilonzeh Join 'Agent Game' Spy Thriller". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.