Amanda Brugel

Brugel was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada.{{Cite news|url=https://ebosscanada.com/canadian-actress-amanda-brugel-becomes-series-regular-handmaids-tale/|title=Canadian actress, Amanda Brugel, becomes series regular on The Handmaid's Tale|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726073821/https://ebosscanada.com/canadian-actress-amanda-brugel-becomes-series-regular-handmaids-tale/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.westislandblog.com/actress-amanda-brugel-of-pointe-claire-has-major-role-in-handmaids-tale/|title=Actress Amanda Brugel of Pointe Claire has major role in Handmaid's Tale|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726093639/https://www.westislandblog.com/actress-amanda-brugel-of-pointe-claire-has-major-role-in-handmaids-tale/|url-status=live}} Her mother is English, and immigrated to Canada, while her biological father, whom she never met, is African-American. Her mother would later marry a man of South Asian (or Southeast Asian) and of Jewish descent. He would adopt Brugel, and she has stated that she considers him her father.{{Cite news|url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/22356-canadian-actress-amanda-brugel-on-culture-cinema-and-success/|title=Canadian actress Amanda Brugel on culture, cinema and success|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413145917/https://www.toronto.com/news-story/22356-canadian-actress-amanda-brugel-on-culture-cinema-and-success/|url-status=live}}Amanda Brugel, [https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/handmaids-tale-amanda-brugel-race/ "Amanda Brugel of The Handmaid's Tale and Room Talks Race and Identity"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804231042/https://fashionmagazine.com/wellness/handmaids-tale-amanda-brugel-race/ |date=2021-08-04 }}. Fashion, August 2, 2018.

She started out as a dancer but quit when she grew to be taller than her partners.Zekas, Rita; [https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/01/12/she_shoots_she_scores_.html "She shoots, she scores . . ."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520092334/https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/01/12/she_shoots_she_scores_.html |date=2017-05-20 }}, Toronto Star, 12 January 2008 (retrieved 15 February 2015). She entered the renowned Theatre Program at York University with a Fine Arts talent scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000.[http://www.amandabrugel.tv/resume "Amanda Brugel Resume"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216002323/http://www.amandabrugel.tv/resume |date=2015-02-16 }}, AmandaBrugel.tv (retrieved 15 February 2015).

In 1999, Brugel made her acting debut in the HBO drama film Vendetta, alongside Christopher Walken.{{Cite news|url=https://www.toronto.com/blogs/post/3850520-entertainment-the-guest-list-talks-to-seed-covert-affairs-actor-amanda-brugel/|title=ENTERTAINMENT - The Guest List talks to Seed, Covert Affairs actor Amanda Brugel|date=June 26, 2013|newspaper=Toronto.com|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112120018/https://www.toronto.com/blogs/post/3850520-entertainment-the-guest-list-talks-to-seed-covert-affairs-actor-amanda-brugel/|url-status=live}} In 2000, she had a role in A Diva's Christmas Carol, a Christmas television film starring Vanessa Williams, Rozonda Thomas, and Kathy Griffin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bet.com/article/m2hw0l/best-black-holiday-movies|title=12 Best Black Holiday Movies Of All Time|newspaper=BET|date=November 27, 2019|first=Rashad|last=Grove|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726100524/https://www.bet.com/celebrities/exclusives/12-greatest-black-holiday-movies-of-all-time.html|url-status=live}} She made her feature film debut as Geko in the slasher horror film Jason X (2001){{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/-CVu9ws6NV/?hl=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/-CVu9ws6NV |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Amanda Brugel on Instagram: ""Geko". Jason X. Friday the 13th part 10. My very first film (I was still in theatre school when this was shot). Happy Friday the Thirteenth everyone!! xxoo"|date=November 13, 2015|access-date=July 26, 2020}}{{cbignore}} and starred in the horror television film Kaw (2007).{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/amanda-brugel/credits/219511/|title=Amanda Brugel List of Movies and TV Shows|publisher=TV Guide|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726132105/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/amanda-brugel/credits/219511/|url-status=live}}

Brugel appeared in guest or recurring roles in several television series, including Soul Food (2001), Wild Card (2004), Kojak (2005), Kevin Hill (2005), The Newsroom (2005), Paradise Falls (2008), MVP (2008), Saving Hope (2012), Flashpoint (2012), Nikita (2013), and Covert Affairs (2013).

In 2013, she earned critical praise for her starring role as Vanessa in the comedy film Sex After Kids.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2014/02/06/sex_after_kids_no_sex_please_were_parents_review.html|title=Sex After Kids: No sex please, we're parents: Review|work=The Star|first=Linda|last=Barnard|date=February 6, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126023654/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2014/02/06/sex_after_kids_no_sex_please_were_parents_review.html|url-status=live}} For her performance, she received an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance,{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/winners-announced-actra-awards-in-toronto-2014-513794131.html|title=Winners Announced: ACTRA Awards in Toronto 2014|publisher=Newswire|date=February 22, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227074001/https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/winners-announced-actra-awards-in-toronto-2014-513794131.html|url-status=live}} and a nomination for a Canadian Comedy Award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.canadiancomedyawards.org/archives.php?year=2014|title=NOMINATIONS & AWARDS ARCHIVES|publisher=Canadian Comedy Awards|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180802163734/https://www.canadiancomedyawards.org/archives.php?year=2014|url-status=live}} From 2013 to 2014, she starred as Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series Seed.{{Cite web|url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/0201405267509/most-beautiful-seed-star-amanda-brugel-talks-pregnancy-on-the-red-carpet|title=Most Beautiful 'Seed' star Amanda Brugel talks pregnancy on the red carpet|publisher=Hello Magazine|date=May 27, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726073447/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/0201405267509/most-beautiful-seed-star-amanda-brugel-talks-pregnancy-on-the-red-carpet|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Brugel appeared in David Cronenberg's satirical drama film Maps to the Stars, alongside Julianne Moore,{{Cite news|url=https://www.durhamregion.com/whatson-story/7087366-whitby-actor-amanda-brugel-off-to-l-a-seeking-more-roles/|title=Whitby actor Amanda Brugel off to L.A. seeking more roles|newspaper=Durham Region|date=February 5, 2017|first=Mike|last=Ruta|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726053610/https://www.durhamregion.com/whatson-story/7087366-whitby-actor-amanda-brugel-off-to-l-a-seeking-more-roles/|url-status=live}} and the crime thriller film The Calling, alongside Susan Sarandon.{{Cite news|url=https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/the-calling/Film?oid=2919185|title=The Calling - Colorado Springs Independent|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726053606/https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/the-calling/Film?oid=2919185|url-status=dead}} In 2015, she portrayed Marci Coates in several episodes of the Space science fiction series Orphan Black.Yacovelle, Jess; [http://orphanblackfan.com/amanda-brugel-joins-the-cast-of-orphan-black/ "Amanda Brugel Joins the Cast of Orphan Black"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216011223/http://orphanblackfan.com/amanda-brugel-joins-the-cast-of-orphan-black/ |date=2015-02-16 }}, OrphanBlackFan.com, 9 November 2014 (retrieved 15 February 2015). That same year, she appeared as Officer Parker in the independent drama film Room, which earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Motion Picture.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/tuesday-march-19-2019-john-cleese-amanda-brugel-and-more-1.5061289/amanda-brugel-on-the-handmaid-s-tale-fighting-for-good-roles-and-rejecting-stereotypes-1.5061324|title=Amanda Brugel on The Handmaid's Tale, fighting for good roles and rejecting stereotypes|newspaper=CBC|date=August 27, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626153032/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/tuesday-march-19-2019-john-cleese-amanda-brugel-and-more-1.5061289/amanda-brugel-on-the-handmaid-s-tale-fighting-for-good-roles-and-rejecting-stereotypes-1.5061324|url-status=live}}

In 2016, she appeared in the superhero film Suicide Squad.{{Cite news|url=https://ernestines.ca/the-host-amanda-brugel/|title=The Host: Amanda Brugel - Erenstines|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726053612/https://ernestines.ca/the-host-amanda-brugel/|url-status=live}} That same year, she began a recurring role as Pastor Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series Kim's Convenience, for which she received the Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Comedy.Debra Yeo, [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/05/27/cardinal-and-schitts-creek-get-multiple-going-away-gifts-from-the-canadian-screen-awards.html "‘Cardinal’ and ‘Schitt's Creek’ get multiple going-away gifts from the Canadian Screen Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710195858/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2020/05/27/cardinal-and-schitts-creek-get-multiple-going-away-gifts-from-the-canadian-screen-awards.html |date=2020-07-10 }}. Toronto Star, May 27, 2020. In 2017, she appeared in the Netflix drama film Kodachrome.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/handmaids-tale-season-2-amanda-brugel-promoted-series-regular-1030498|title='The Handmaid's Tale' Promotes Amanda Brugel to Series Regular (Exclusive)|first=Kate|last=Stanhope|date=August 17, 2017|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920213537/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/handmaids-tale-season-2-amanda-brugel-promoted-series-regular-1030498|url-status=live}}

Brugel had recurring roles as Sita Petronelli in the USA Network drama series Eyewitness (2016){{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/mistresses-cast-micky-shiloah-amanda-brugel-eyewitness-1201736387/|title='Mistresses' Casts Micky Shiloah; Amanda Brugel Joins 'Eyewitness'|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=April 12, 2016|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623110235/https://deadline.com/2016/04/mistresses-cast-micky-shiloah-amanda-brugel-eyewitness-1201736387/|url-status=live}} and as Sonia in the CBC comedy series Workin' Moms (2018), for which she was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, Comedy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/amanda-brugel-1.5433775|title=Amanda Brugel CBC Books|newspaper=CBC|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220080741/https://www.cbc.ca/books/amanda-brugel-1.5433775|url-status=live}}

Since 2017, Brugel has starred as a housekeeper named Rita, in the Hulu dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's acclaimed novel of the same name.{{Cite news|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/handmaids-tale-amanda-brugel-recurs-hulu-series/|title=The Handmaid's Tale: Amanda Brugel Books Recurring Role on Hulu Series|date=2016-09-30|newspaper=TV Series Finale|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-05|archive-date=2023-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327105023/https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/handmaids-tale-amanda-brugel-recurs-hulu-series/|url-status=live}} As a part of the cast, she has received three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.{{Cite news|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/the-handmaids-tale-sag-awards-predictions-drama-ensemble-first-win/|title=Can 'The Handmaid's Tale' finally nab its maiden ensemble win at the SAG Awards?|newspaper=Gold Derby|date=December 21, 2019|first=Lucas|last=Giliberti|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=January 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113062933/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/the-handmaids-tale-sag-awards-predictions-drama-ensemble-first-win/|url-status=live}}

From 2019 to 2020, Brugel had a recurring role as Faith Hanlon in the USA Network teen drama series Dare Me.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/dare-me-adrian-walters-amanda-brugel-recur-usa-network-series-1202662961/|title='Dare Me': Adrian Walters & Amanda Brugel To Recur In USA Network Series|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=August 7, 2019|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205020416/https://deadline.com/2019/08/dare-me-adrian-walters-amanda-brugel-recur-usa-network-series-1202662961/|url-status=live}} In 2020, she appeared as Eugenia in multiple episodes of the TNT post-apocalyptic drama series Snowpiercer, which is an adaptation of the film of the same name.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theloop.ca/sponsoredpost/yes-thats-canadas-amanda-brugel-blowing-up-your-tv-screen/|title=Yes, that's Canada's Amanda Brugel blowing up your TV screen|first=Corrina|last=Allen|newspaper=The Loop|date=April 3, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413005611/https://www.theloop.ca/sponsoredpost/yes-thats-canadas-amanda-brugel-blowing-up-your-tv-screen/|url-status=live}} Also that year, Brugel starred as Kayla in the action thriller film Becky.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/joel-mchale-amanda-brugel-robert-maillet-kevin-james-becky-thriller-1202705321/|title=Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel & Robert Maillet Join Kevin James In 'Becky' Thriller|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=August 27, 2019|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225001216/https://deadline.com/2019/08/joel-mchale-amanda-brugel-robert-maillet-kevin-james-becky-thriller-1202705321/|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Brugel appeared as a panelist on Canada Reads, advocating for Samra Habib's memoir We Have Always Been Here.[https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2020-contenders-1.5433115 "Meet the Canada Reads 2020 contenders"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209094051/https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2020-contenders-1.5433115 |date=2020-02-09 }}. CBC Books, January 22, 2020. She successfully defended the memoir and won the competition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/the-winner-of-canada-reads-2020-is-1.5660174|title=The winner of Canada Reads 2020 is...|date=July 23, 2020|last=Patrick|first=Ryan B.|newspaper=CBC|language=en-US|accessdate=July 23, 2020|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723212849/https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/the-winner-of-canada-reads-2020-is-1.5660174|url-status=live}}

On June 29, 2021, it was announced that Brugel, along with Brad Goreski, would join the judging panel of Canada's Drag Race for its sophomore season after season one judges Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Stacey McKenzie announced their departures in March and June 2021 respectively. Alongside Goreski and main judge Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brugel served as a rotating judge with Traci Melchor. The group of judges won a Canadian Screen Award for their work on the second season. Before the third season, Brugel was removed from the panel, with no replacement given.

Brugel has two children from her previous marriage to Marcel Lewis.{{Cite web|url=https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/02018042644716/amanda-brugel-handmaids-tale-interview|title='The Handmaid's Tale' star Amanda Brugel on finding success in her 40s: "It doesn't end, it only begins"|publisher=Hello Magazine|first=Sarah|last=Trumbley|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804120102/https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/02018042644716/amanda-brugel-handmaids-tale-interview|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/how-amanda-brugel-balances-sons-different-interests/|title=How Handmaid's Tale's Amanda Brugel Balances Her Sons' 'Different' Interests|publisher=Us Magazine|first=Riley|last=Cardoza|date=August 4, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726073419/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/how-amanda-brugel-balances-sons-different-interests/|url-status=live}}

In 2013, Brugel founded Brugs Army, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of women and children.[http://www.brugsarmy.com/ "Brugs Army"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216011519/http://www.brugsarmy.com/ |date=2015-02-16 }}, BrugsArmy.com (retrieved 15 February 2015).Dowling, Dar; [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dar-dowling/trending-brugs-army-creat_b_3558690.html "Brugs Army – Creating Change for Women and Kids Using Social Media"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220043557/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dar-dowling/trending-brugs-army-creat_b_3558690.html |date=2015-02-20 }}, The Huffington Post, 9 September 2013 (retrieved 19 February 2015).

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website | http://www.amandabrugel.tv/}}
• {{IMDb name|id=0115760}}

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Category:1978 births

Category:20th-century Canadian actresses

Category:21st-century Canadian actresses

Category:Actresses from Quebec

Category:Black Canadian actresses

Category:Canadian film actresses

Category:Canadian people of African-American descent

Category:Canadian people of English descent

Category:Canadian stage actresses

Category:Canadian television actresses

Category:Living people

Category:Participants in Canadian reality television series

Category:People from Pointe-Claire

Category:York University alumni

Category:Canadian Screen Award winning actors