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Catch up on the latest Biography, Filmography, and Trivia information on Megalyn.
BIOGRAPHY
(Compiled on April 6, 2008)
Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke was born on May 28, 1983 in Spokane, Washington. She is of mixed heritage, born of a white American mother and a Nigerian father. Megalyn's father died when she was 4 years old, and her mother moved Megalyn and her siblings to a Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona where they would grow up.
Living on such a remote reservation, Megalyn wasn't able to engage in typical youth pastimes like going to the movies, or hanging out at the mall. She lived a much more organic lifestyle, going on hikes, playing with sheep, and spent a lot of time being introspective and developing a cultural sensitivity towards life that she still holds onto today. Megalyn considers herself very fortunate for the childhood she's had.
At 14, Megalyn enrolled in an arts academy summer camp, and it was there she was discovered by her manager while onstage performing a monologue during a camp play. She began auditioning for roles via videotape, then she and her mother would make long drives from Arizona to Hollywood. At 15, she was cast as the female lead in the television mini-series, Creature.
In support of Megalyn's career ambitions, her family moved to Los Angeles where Megalyn attended high school. She immediately immersed herself in the theatre department, and while in high school, won starring roles in the pilot, Odd Man Out and in the cable feature Funny Valentines, where she worked alongside Oscar nominee Alfre Woodward.
Megalyn has appeared on many hit TV shows in her 10 year career, with recurring roles on That '70s Show, 24, For the People, and starring roles on The 4400, Like Family, and MTV’s Spyder Games. She has also enjoyed a wide range of guest star roles on such shows such as Supernatural, The Steve Harvey Show, ER, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, and most recently, The Game.
In addition to these, Megalyn has been involved in several projects with her best friend and fellow actress Olivia Wilde and Olivia's husband, documentary filmmaker Tao Ruspoli. The latest of these being the 2008 independent film Fix, which follows the journey of filmmakers Bella (Wilde) and Milo (Ruspoli), through Los Angeles on a race to get Milo's brother, Leo (Shawn Andrews) from jail to rehab before he is sentenced to prison for 3 years. Megalyn plays Carmen, Leo’s girlfriend.
Megalyn has also expressed an interest in music as well as theatre and dance. Her recording of the ballad "So Much" can be heard on the soundtrack of MTV’s Spyder Games. Megalyn can also be heard singing background vocals in Tricky's "Au Revoir Emanuelle" on the album Monsieur Gainsbourg: Revisited.
Echikunwoke means "leader of men" which seems quite fitting as Megalyn's grandfather was said to be an Igbo tribal leader. The name serves as an inspiration to Megalyn, who exudes confidence in every task she undertakes.
Megalyn has made a home for herself in Venice, California and enjoys the lifestyle there, the surf and skate culture, and spending time with her friends.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FILMOGRAPHY
Movies:
Carmen
Sista Strada Cast
Elena
Lauren
.:Fix:. (2008) - Independent feature film.
.:Camjackers:. (2006) - Independent feature film.
.:Great Lengths:. (2004) - Independent short subject film.
.:Funny Valentines:. (1999) - TV movie.
Megalyn and her Like Family co-star J Mack Slaughter, guest starred together on The WB's What I Like About You about a year earlier, in the episode "The Parrot Trap" where the two shared their first onscreen kiss.
Megalyn tried modeling at a point when she first started acting, but was discouraged by an initial rejection.
When asked which actor/actress she would love to work with, Megalyn chose Cate Blanchett.
Megalyn's dog has a Mohawk.
Although she doesn't watch a lot of TV, Megalyn watches the show Weeds regularly, and would love to be on it someday.
Megalyn made a pact with her manager that she wants the whole truth about her reviews from casting directors, no matter how harsh.
Megalyn's mother is a nurse, and Megalyn considers her a big influence on her life.
Megalyn loves musical theatre. One of her short-term goals is to be in the musical, Chicago.
Megalyn and her siblings all share the initials "ME". She has two brothers named Melindo and Mikilette, and a sister named Missy.
Megalyn has high hopes for her sister, Missy to become a stylist, "purely for selfish reasons".
Megalyn identifies herself as a "pescetarian".
Source: TV.com
QUOTES
(What she would do if she wasn't an actress)
"If I had a lot of money, I'd be a philanthropist. Travel the world... making really amazing things happen."
- The 4400 Cast Chat, 09/14/07. (About being raised on the Najavo reservation)
"Growing up on the reservation, it was very isolated, a very different American upbringing, and I think I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted. I never felt like there was a restriction on what I could accomplish."
- Nylon Magazine, May 2007.
"I've always thought of [it] as something I could always go back to, sort of like a sanctuary, because it's got a really beautiful culture, that I got to really learn a lot about." - Non-Sport Update, 2007. (On the 2008 presidential elections)
"My friends and I wanted to get involved in this campaign because we wanted to be able to say, 'I was a part of that movement. I played a role in making Barack Obama our President' and... for the first time we're realizing that just because we're young doesn't mean we can't be involved and taken seriously in this political process." - T. Neil Sroka at my.barackobama.com, 01/12/08.
"This is Obama or die... He's completely different to anything that's out there. He's genuine. And he's so grassroots. He reaches people you don't see and people the polls don't touch." - Telegraph.co.uk, 02/05/08. (Her idea of a good hair day)
"A good hair day is when I'm wearing it curly and the curls are perfectly defined. A good hair day is a no-frizz day!" - Sophisticate's Black Hair, June/July '07. (On the pronunciation of her last name, Echikunwoke)
"Think, 'a chicken walking'... across the street. Or [fakes sneeze] atchoo! -ken-woke." - The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, 07/30/07. (The similarities between Megalyn and her character, Isabelle Tyler of "The 4400")
"She's got a lot of gumption, and I've got a lot of gumption, too. Plus, we both like to walk around naked."
- TV Guide, 07/16/07. (About visiting message boards, etc.)
"When I first was starting working, I would do things like that, and then you just realize you can't do that because some people say really mean things, and it gets into your head and it just doesn't lend itself to anything positive really, except for... satisfying curiosity." - USA Network Video Interview, 2007. (On her personal obsessions)
"I've had a passionate love affair with classic cars ever since I could drive. I've never owned a car newer than 1980, and I never plan on owning one." - SCI FI Magazine, June 2006. (When asked what TV genres she is interested in)
"I love doing drama... I love doing comedy... But after [being on] The 4400, I’m thinking I’d really like to get into doing action... It's really fun." - KAOS2000 Magazine, 07/29/2007. (On her love for classic cars)
"I already own a couple of classics, including a 1957 Chevy I’m rebuilding, but I’m still looking to get my real dream car: a 1968 Buick Limited. I think it has the most chrome of any car ever made. Or if not, it’s really up there."- Los Angeles Times, 06/14/07. (When asked about her social life)
"I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda nerdy. I don't get out much... I don't live close by the action, and I'm really too lazy to get out and go."- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, 11/27/08.
CONTACT MEGALYN
All fanmail and inquiries can be sent to Megalyn's management at:
Primary Address:
Megalyn Echikunwoke
c/o Ira Belgrade Management
5850-E West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036
USA
Secondary Address:
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Bresler Kelly & Associates
11500 West Olympic Blvd.
Suite 352
Los Angeles, CA 90064
USA
Phone: (310) 479-5611
Fax: (310) 479-3775
