American actress, 1974-

Fairuza Alejandra Balk was born in Point Reyes, California, on May 21, 1974, the daughter of Cathryn Balk (a dancer) and Solomon Feldthouse (a fiddler). At the age of eight, shortly after enrolling in modelling classes at the Ramona Beauchamp Agency, she was chosen for the lead role in the ABC television special The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Her silver screen debut was at age ten, as Dorothy in Walter Murch's Disney extravaganza Return To Oz. Her Hollywood 'adult' breakthrough came in 1992, in the role of Shade in Gas Food Lodging (earning her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress). Subsequent roles in films such as Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead, The Craft, and American History X cemented her place in Serious American Actressdom; they also contributed to her reputation (and continued casting) as dark, intense, dangerous, and reliable goth boi box-office. Associated with this syndrome are her unconventionally striking Persian-Gypsy looks, and her actual offscreen persona - she is reportedly into hardcore music, body art, and Wicca.

Filmography:

• What Is It? (2005)
• Don't Come Knocking (2005)
• A Year and a Day (2004)
• Deuces Wild (2002)
• Personal Velocity: Three Portraits (2002)
• Almost Famous (2000)
• Red Letters (2000)
• The Waterboy (1998)
• American History X (1998)
• There's No Fish Food In Heaven (1998)
• American Perfekt (1997)
• The Maker (1997)
• The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1996)
• The Craft (1996)
• Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead (1995)
• Tollbooth (1994)
• Imaginary Crimes (1994)
• Gas Food Lodging (1992)
• Valmont (1989)
• The Outside Chance Of Maximilian Glick (1988)
• Discovery (1986)
• Return To Oz (1985)

Bonus video game voice credits:

• Lords of EverQuest
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

(Filmography courtesy IMDb, natch)

LaggedyAnne says re Fairuza Balk: she also has a very large, rather intimidating mouth.