Angela Sarafyan
{{Short description|Armenian-American actress}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Angela Sarafyan
| image = Angela Sarafyan by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Sarafyan at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
| death_place =
| other_names = Angela Sarafian
| known_for =
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2000–present
| website =
}}
Angela Sarafyan ({{langx|hy|Անժելա Սարաֆյան}}), sometimes credited as Angela Sarafian, is an Armenian-American actress. She has appeared as a guest star in several television series and has acted in the feature films: Kabluey (2007), On the Doll (2007), A Beautiful Life (2008), The Informers (2008), A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (2011), Lost & Found in Armenia (2012), and Reminiscence (2021).
She portrayed Clementine Pennyfeather throughout the four seasons of the HBO series Westworld (2016–22).
Early life
Angela was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union, eight years before Armenia regained its independence. When she was four, she moved with her parents{{snd}}actor Grigor Sarafyan and her painter mother{{snd}}to the United States, settling in Los Angeles. She studied ballet and played piano as a child. She attended Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjlcHOm-xowv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522072641/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjlcHOm-xowv |archive-date=2014-05-22 |url-status=dead|title=Angela Sarafyan (Actress) interviewed by Joan Quin |website = YouTube|date=July 5, 2010 |access-date=December 7, 2010}}{{cite news|last1=Comingore|first1=Aly|title=Angela Sarafyan On 'Westworld,' 'The Promise,' And How To Dream Big|url=http://www.nylon.com/articles/angela-sarafyan-westworld-the-promise-interview|access-date=January 14, 2017|work=Nylon|date=October 19, 2016}}
Career
= 2000–2008: Early work =
Sarafyan's first acting role was on the CBS legal drama Judging Amy in the episode "Culture Clash" in 2000. Afterwards, she went to make a cameo in the music video for Britney Spears' song "Stronger". Sarafyan later made a guest appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and starred in the television film Paranormal Girl in 2002. She made film debut (though uncredited) in the 2004 comedy-drama The Last Run.
Sarafyan continued with her work on television with roles on The Shield, The Division, Wanted, South of Nowhere, 24, CSI: NY, Lincoln Heights, Cold Case, In Plain Sight, and The Mentalist. She also had roles in the 2007 films Kabluey and On the Doll. In 2008, Sarafyan starred in her first lead role as Maggie in the drama film A Beautiful Life opposite Jesse Garcia. She also contributed to a minor role as Mary in The Informers.
= 2009–2015: Mainstream recognition =
In 2009, Sarafyan starred in the films Repo Chick and Love Hurts, and the television series Eastwick. She also had a recurring role on the web series Hot Sluts and Sex Ed: The Series. In 2010, she portrayed Samantha Evans on the Fox series The Good Guys.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Angela-Sarafyan-Good-Guys-1022160.aspx |title=Exclusive: Angela Sarafyan Joins The Good Guys|publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=August 24, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100827071527/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Angela-Sarafyan-Good-Guys-1022160.aspx| archive-date= 27 August 2010 | url-status= live}} She also appeared on Childrens Hospital.
In 2011, Sarafyan starred in A Good Old Fashioned Orgy as Willow Talbot, the girlfriend of Martin Starr's character. She also appeared in the sixth season finale of Criminal Minds and the ninth episode of the second season of Nikita. Sarafyan went on to appear in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 as Egyptian vampire Tia, the mate of vampire Benjamin, and as Ani in Lost & Found in Armenia in 2012.{{cite news |title=Casting Update: Twilight's 'Breaking Dawn' |url=https://deadline.com/2010/10/casting-update-twilights-breaking-dawn-75311/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 13, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Jamie Kennedy and Angela Sarafyan Star In 'Lost And Found In Armenia' |url=http://asbarez.com/94361/jamie-kennedy-and-angela-sarafyan-star-in-lost-and-found-in-armenia/ |work=Asbarez |date=March 23, 2011 |access-date=October 16, 2011}} In 2013, Sarafyan played a minor role in The Immigrant as Marion Cotillard's character's sister.{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/59652.html|title=2013 Official Selection|date=April 20, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2013|work=Cannes Film Festival|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211120304/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/59652.html|url-status=live}} She also appeared in Paranoia featuring Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, and Harrison Ford. The film bombed at the box office and received negative reviews from critics.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paranoia.htm |title=Paranoia (2013) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2013-08-17}}-video/{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Paranoia#tab=summary |title=Paranoia (2013)|publisher=The Numbers|access-date=August 17, 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paranoia_2013/ |title=Paranoia (2013) |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2018-11-30}}
In 2015, Sarafyan co-starred as the wife of Simon Abkarian's character in the psychological thriller 1915. The film follows a mysterious director staging a play to bring the ghosts of a forgotten tragedy back to life on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.{{citation |first1=Hans-Lukas |last1=Kieser |first2=Dominik J. |last2=Schaller |language=German |title=Der Völkermord an den Armeniern und die Shoah |trans-title=The Armenian genocide and the Shoah |publisher=Chronos |year=2002 |isbn=3-0340-0561-X |page=114}}{{citation |title=The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915–1916: Documents Presented to Viscount Grey of Falloden |first1=Viscount James |last1=Bryce| authorlink=James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce |first2=Arnold |last2=Toynbee |edition=uncensored |editor-first=Ara |editor-last=Sarafian |place=Princeton, NJ |publisher=Gomidas Institute|year=2000 |isbn=0-9535191-5-5 |pages=635–49}} She also co-starred with Luke Bracey, Dustin Milligan, and Emily Meade in the comedy Me Him Her.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/twilight-paranoia-actress-angela-sarafyan-joins-max-landis-225939902.html|title='Twilight,' 'Paranoia' Actress Angela Sarafyan Joins Max Landis' Directorial Debut|publisher=Yahoo.com|first=Jeff|last=Sneider|date=August 13, 2013|accessdate=January 26, 2016|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524124635/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/twilight-paranoia-actress-angela-sarafyan-joins-max-landis-225939902.html|url-status=live}} Between 2014 and 2015, Sarafyan appeared on the series Blue Bloods and American Horror Story{{'}}s Freak Show season.
= 2016–2022: ''Westworld'' =
File:Angela Sarafyan (29873109646).jpg
In 2016, Sarafyan appeared as Maral in the epic historical war drama The Promise. The film starred Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon and Christian Bale and follows a love triangle that develops between an Armenian medical student, an American journalist, and an Armenian-born woman raised in France, immediately before and during the Armenian genocide.{{cite news |title=The Promise's Angela Sarafyan Shares Her Story |url=http://asbarez.com/161334/the-promises-angela-sarafyan-shares-her-story/ |work=Asbarez |date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2017}} She also co-starred with Scott Eastwood in Mercury Plains.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grindstone-takes-scott-eastwood-thriller-820896|title=Grindstone Takes Scott Eastwood Thriller 'Mercury Plains' for North America|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 August 2015|accessdate=10 October 2016}}
From 2016 to 2022, Sarafyan starred as Clementine Pennyfeather on the HBO science-fiction series Westworld.{{cite news|title=Get Ready to Be Infatuated by the Star of HBO's New Show 'Westworld'|url=http://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/news/a7985/hbo-westworld-angela-sarafyan/|access-date=January 14, 2017|work=Town & Country Magazine|date=September 29, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Wigler|first1=Josh|title='Westworld' Star on Clementine's Heartbreaking Reveal: "I Didn't Know That This Would Happen"|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/westworld-star-clementines-heartbreaking-reveal-i-didnt-know-would-happen-947062|access-date=January 14, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 14, 2016}} The role earned Sarafyan a nomination at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series with her co-stars.
Following Westworld, Sarafyan received acclaim for her role in the 2018 short film Pin-Up, winning awards at three film festivals for her performance.[https://www.advocate.com/film/2018/4/16/watch-exclusive-clip-psychological-drama-pin Exclusive Clip of the Psychological Drama Pin-Up with plot summary & rundown of awards] at www.advocate.com[https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-qhdw56/pinup/ Pin-Up synopsis & credits] at www.radiotimes.com She starred as the lead role of Francesca in the 2018 film We Are Boats. In 2019, Sarafyan played a supporting role as Joanna in the Netflix biographical thriller Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile starring Zac Efron and Lily Collins,{{cite web |first=Patrick |last=Hipes |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/angela-sarafyan-extremely-wicked-shockingly-evil-and-vile-casting-ted-bundy-movie-1202267671/ |title='Westworld's Angela Sarafyan Set For Ted Bundy Pic 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, And Vile' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 23, 2018 |access-date=January 31, 2018}} and as Max in the video game Telling Lies. She also had a role on an episode of the horror series Into the Dark.{{cite web|title='Into The Dark': Kyle Howard, Julian Sands, Angela Sarafyan Among 6 Cast In Installment Of Hulu Event Series |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/into-the-dark-kyle-howard-julian-sands-angela-sarafyan-molly-hagan-natalie-hall-dustin-milliganinstallment-hulu-event-series-1202761091/ |work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise |last=Petski|date=October 16, 2019|access-date=October 21, 2019}} In 2020, she appeared in Caged opposite Edi Gathegi, Melora Hardin, and Tony Amendola.
In 2021, Sarafyan contributed to a supporting role in Reminiscence starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, and Westworld co-star Thandiwe Newton.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/angela-sarafyan-natalie-martinez-marina-de-tavira-cliff-curtis-reminiscence-warner-bros-1202767494/|title='Westworld's Angela Sarafyan, Natalie Martinez, Marina De Tavira, Cliff Curtis Join WB's 'Reminiscence' Thriller|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025171946/https://deadline.com/2019/10/angela-sarafyan-natalie-martinez-marina-de-tavira-cliff-curtis-reminiscence-warner-bros-1202767494/|url-status=live}} She also had roles in King Knight and A House on the Bayou.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/blumhouse-epix-movie-house-on-the-bayou-paul-schneider-angela-sarafyan-1234945747/|title=First Blumhouse-Epix Thriller 'House on the Bayou' Sets Three Leads (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Matt|last=Donnelly|date=April 7, 2021|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}
= 2023–present: Continued work =
In 2023, Safaryan participated in Armenian Film Society's Armenian Women in Film and Entertainment panel discussion.{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Co7uMM4vEKL/|title="In honor of International Women's Day..."|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=September 25, 2024}}
Sarafyan's post-Westworld roles were in 2023's Pet Shop Days and 2024's Little Death. In March 2024, Sarafyan was announced to have been cast in the action thriller G20 produced by and starring Viola Davis.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Angela Sarafyan Rounds Out Viola Davis Amazon MGM MRC Action Thriller 'G20' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/angela-sarafyan-viola-davis-amazon-mgm-g20-1235865354/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 21, 2024 |date=March 21, 2024}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2004
| data-sort-value="Last Run, The" | The Last Run | Lauren | |
| 2005
| Halfway Decent | Liberty Edwards | |
| rowspan="2"| 2007
| Kabluey | Ramona | |
| On the Doll
| Tara | |
| rowspan="2"| 2008
| {{sortname|A|Beautiful Life|A Beautiful Life (2008 film)}} | Maggie | |
| {{sortname|The|Informers|The Informers (2008 film)}}
| Mary | |
| rowspan="5"| 2009
| Half Truth | Trig |
| Repo Chick
| Giggli | |
| Love Hurts
| Layla | |
| Velvet
| Beatrice | Short film |
| Foolishly Seeking True Love
| Belle | Short film |
| rowspan="2"| 2011
| American Animal | Not Blonde Angela | |
| {{sortname|A|Good Old Fashioned Orgy}}
| Willow Talbot | |
| rowspan="4"| 2012
| Vampire Riderz{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3787132/ | title=Vampire Riderz | website=IMDb }} | Lala | |
| Drift
| | Short film |
| {{sortname|The|Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2}}
| Tia | |
| Lost & Found in Armenia
| Ani | |
| rowspan="3"| 2013
| Noise Matters | Sandy | |
| {{sortname|The|Immigrant|The Immigrant (2013 film)}}
| Magda Cybulska | |
| Paranoia
| Allison | |
| rowspan="2"| 2014
| Night Vet | Franny & Zoey | Short film |
| Never
| Rachel | |
| rowspan="4"| 2015
| 1915 | Angela | |
| Me Him Her
| Heather | |
| Me You and Five Bucks
| Pam | |
| Blackbird
| Angel | Short film |
| rowspan="2"| 2016
| Alyssa | |
| {{sortname|The|Promise|The Promise (2016 American film)}}
| Maral | |
| rowspan="2"| 2018
| Francesca | |
| Pin-Up
| Sunny | Short film |
| rowspan="3"| 2019
| Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile | Joanna | |
| data-sort-value="Nasty Piece of Work, A" | A Nasty Piece of Work
| Tatum | |
| Where Are You
| Cassandra | |
| 2020
| Caged | Amber Reid | |
| rowspan="3"| 2021
| Elsa Carine | |
| King Knight
| Willow | |
| data-sort-value="House on the Bayou, The" | A House on the Bayou
| Jessica Chambers | |
| 2022
| data-sort-value="Ray, The" | The Ray | Maggie | |
| rowspan="2"| 2023
| Hail Mary | Gabrielle | |
| Pet Shop Days
| | |
| 2024
| Record Store Woman | |
| 2025
|G20 | Quoll | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2000
| Aisha Al-Jamal | Episode: "Culture Clash" |
| 2002
| Lori | Episode: "Him" |
| 2002
| Paranormal Girl | Crystal | Television film |
| 2004
| {{sortname|The|Shield}} | Sosi | Episode: "All In" |
| 2004
| {{sortname|The|Division}} | Madison Grant | Episodes: "Zero Tolerance: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 2005
| Wanted | Natalia | Episode: "Sex Pistols" |
| 2006
| Paige | Episode: "Say It Ain't So, Spencer" |
| 2006
| 24 | Inessa Kovalevsky | Episode: "Day 5: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m." |
| 2006
| CSI: NY | Sara Jackson | Episode: "Open and Shut" |
| 2007
| Opal Woodford | Episode: "Baby Doe" |
| 2007
| Philippa 'Phil' Abruzzi (1919) | Episode: "Torn" |
| 2008
| Tasha Turischeva | Episodes: Pilot, "To Serge with Love" |
| 2008
| {{sortname|The|Mentalist}} | Adrianna Jonovic | Episode: "Ladies in Red" |
| 2008
| Ernesto | Sydney | Television film |
| 2009
| Hot Sluts | Helena / Alena | Recurring role |
| 2009
| Eastwick | Jenna | Episode: "Red Ants and Widows" |
| 2009
| Floored and Lifted | Jade | Episode: "Merde" |
| 2010
| Olga | Episode: "Give a Painted Brother a Break" |
| 2010
| {{sortname|The|Good Guys|The Good Guys (2010 TV series)}} | Samantha Evans | Main role |
| 2011
| Lucy | Episode: "Supply and Demand" |
| 2011
| Nikita | Oksana | Episode: "Fair Trade" |
| 2012
| Let's Big Happy | Olive | Main role |
| 2012
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Anna | Episode: "Acceptable Loss" |
| 2013
| I Am Victor | Cucumber | Television film |
| 2014
| Frannie Ferguson | Episode: "Custody Battle" |
| 2015
| American Horror Story: Freak Show | Alice | Episodes: "Magical Thinking", "Show Stoppers" |
| 2016–2022
| Clementine Pennyfeather | Main role |
| 2019
| Tatum | Episode: "A Nasty Piece of Work" |
| TBA
| El Gato | Elisa Kazanjian |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2019
| Max | |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Artists ! Song ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2000
| "Stronger" | |
| 2017
| "Lay It On Me" | |
= Web =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2009
| Stormy | Web series |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Ceremony ! Result ! Award ! Film/TV ! class="unsortable" | Refs |
|---|
| 2017
| 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards | {{Nom}} | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (shared with the cast) | Westworld | [https://signalscv.com/2016/12/westworld-nominated-3-golden-globes/ "Westworld nominated for 3 Golden Globes, 2 SAG Awards"] at signalscv.com |
| rowspan="3" | 2018
| International Independent Film Awards | {{Won}} | Best Actress In A Supporting Role{{snd}}Platinum Level | rowspan="3" | Pin-Up | [http://www.iifilmawards.com/Platinum_Award.html Winners (Winter 2018)] at www.iifilmawards.com |
| IndieFEST Film Awards
| {{Won}} | Best Supporting Actress | [https://theindiefest.com/past-winners/winners-may-2018/ Winners May 2018] at theindiefest.com |
| Global Film Festival Awards
| {{Won}} | Best Supporting Actress | [https://www.gffawards.com/jun2018 Winners June 2018] at www.gffawards.com |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarafyan, Angela}}
Category:21st-century Armenian actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Armenian film actresses
Category:American film actresses
Category:Armenian television actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Soviet emigrants to the United States
Category:Actresses from Yerevan
Category:American people of Armenian descent