Mili Avital
Beyond the Sea, 1991
Born (1972-03-30) 30 March 1972[1]
Jerusalem, Israel
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present
SpouseCharles Randolph (m. 2004)[2]

Mili Avital is an Israeli actress. She built an international career, starting in her native Israel, starring on stage, film and television. She won the Israeli Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1991, moved to New York in 1993 to study theater in English, was discovered by an agent while working in a restaurant, and started acting in Hollywood almost immediately. She has maintained her career in both countries since.

Early life

Avital was born in Jerusalem, the daughter of graphic designers Noni and Iko Avital. Avital's father was born in Morocco, whereas her mother is Israeli-born and of Turkish-Jewish descent.[3][4] She was raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, and in Ra'anana, Israel.[5] She attended the Thelma Yellin High School of Arts in Givatayim, Israel.

American career

In 1993 she arrived in New York City to study acting at the Circle in the Square Theatre School. The following year, discovered by an agent while working as a waitress, she was cast as the female lead in the 1994 science fiction film Stargate,[6] for which she received a Sci-fi Universe award. She has appeared in films such as Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man opposite Johnny Depp, Doug Ellin's Kissing a Fool opposite David Schwimmer, Polish Wedding opposite Claire Danes, and Robert Benton's The Human Stain opposite Anthony Hopkins. In 1999, she portrayed a Bosnian rape victim in the pilot episode of the long-running NBC legal drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Avital appeared in three other episodes of the series: "Parasites", "Manhattan Vigil", and "Depravity Standard". She also appeared in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Palimpsest". Her television work includes Scheherazade in the Emmy-nominated ABC miniseries Arabian Nights to rave reviews, Jon Avnet's Uprising, and After the Storm . In 2009–2010 Avital appeared in the FX TV show Damages, in a recurring role as the mistress to the husband of Patty Hewes (Glenn Close). She appeared in the 2012 ABC television series 666 Park Avenue.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Me'ever Layam Miri Goldfarb
1993 Groupie
1994 Stargate Sha'uri
1995 Dead Man Thel Russell
1996 Invasion of Privacy Theresa Barnes
1997 The End of Violence Featured Performer
1998 Polish Wedding Sofie
1998 Animals Fatima
1998 Kissing a Fool Samantha Andrews
1999 The Young Girl and the Monsoon Erin
1999 Minotaur Thea
2000 Preston Tylk Emily Tylk
2003 The Human Stain Young Iris
2004 Ahava Colombianit Tali Shalev
2005 When Do We Eat? Vanessa
2007 Noodle Miri Calderone

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Marta Stevens Episode: "Payback"
2000 Arabian Nights Scheherezade TV miniseries
2001 After the Storm Coquina TV film
2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ava Parulis / Irina Parulis Episode: "Parasites"
2001 Uprising Deworah Baron TV film
2002 Shabatot VeHagim Noa Episodes: "El Ha-Ma'ayan", "Air Guitar"
2009 Damages Anna Mercado Episodes: "I Agree, It Wasn't Funny", "London. Of Course"
2009–2012 Prisoners of War Nurit Halevi-Zach Recurring role (11 episodes)
2010 Damages Anna Mercado Episode: "The Dog Is Happier Without Her"
2010 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Lenore Abrigaille Episode: "Palimpsest"
2012 666 Park Avenue Danielle Tyler Episode: "Murmurations"
2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Laurie Colfax Episode: "Manhattan Vigil"
2015 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Laurie Colfax Episode: "Depravity Standard"
2017 Landing on Their Feet Dana Berger Fine Leading role

References

  1. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Mili-Avital/news Retrieved 29 November 2023
  2. ↑ https://m.jpost.com/not-just-news/grapevine-i-love-you-in-hebrew-446794
  3. ↑ "Israeli actress Mili Avital is back on Hollywood's radar". Haaretz.
  4. ↑ "Noodle: Mili Avital interview: A strong connection". SBS Movies. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Kaplan, Don (25 April 2000). "SCHWIMMER'S ALI BABE; HER STARRING ROLE IN 'ARABIAN NIGHTS' WILL TEST THE FRIENDSHIP". New York Post. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Hollywood Now: Oscar Winners & New Show Bride and Prejudice". 18Doors. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  7. ↑ Keck, William (8 August 2012). "Keck's Exclusives: New Bodies Check in to ABC's 666 Park Avenue". TV Guide. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
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