World Artist: Sofia Vassilieva

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Sofia Vassilieva

Sofia Vladimirovna Vassilieva (born October 22, 1992) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the children's book heroine Eloise, in two made-for-television movies, Ariel Dubois in the Emmy-winning TV series Medium, and the cancer patient Kate Fitzgerald in the 2009 film adaption of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Vassilieva was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Russian immigrant parents Larissa Vassilieva, a biologist, and Vladimir Vassiliev, a physicist, both from Novosibirsk. At the age of seven, she was discovered at the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) in New York where she won the title of Child Actress and first runner-up Child Model Of The Year 2000. In less than one year she had the part of Elena—the granddaughter of a retired Russian General—in the episode "Deadline" of the CBS television series The Agency (2001–2003). In 2002, she played Cindy Brady in The Brady Bunch in the White House (2002) opposite Shelley Long and Gary Cole; a little girl named Gina in Inhabited (2003) opposite Malcolm McDowell; and The Bad Seed's former child actress Patty McCormack.

In 2002 - 2003, she played the children's book heroine Eloise, in two made-for-television movies Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime directed by Kevin Lima, with Julie Andrews as Nanny. For her work as Eloise she was nominated as Leading Young Actress for Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special for Young Artist Award in 2004. At age 11, in May 2004, Sofia began playing the role of Ariel DuBois in Medium. She was a presenter of Family Feature Film on the Humane Society's 19th Genesis Awards in 2005. She won two Young Artist Award in 2006 for best supporting actress in a TV Drama for her role in Medium and in 2010 for best supporting actress in a feature film for her role in My Sister's Keeper. Sofia had a leading role in the 2009 screen adaption of the novel My Sister's Keeper, written by Jodi Picoult, alongside Cameron Diaz, Jason Patric and Abigail Breslin. The film was directed by Nick Cassavetes. Sofia shaved her head and eyebrows for her role as Kate. She is currently a student at Columbia University in New York City. She speaks fluent Russian, French, English and Spanish.