Reiko Aylesworth

Reiko Aylesworth
Born Reiko M. Aylesworth[1]
(1972-12-09) December 9, 1972
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–present

Reiko M. Aylesworth (born December 9, 1972) is an American film, television and stage actress, best known for her role on the television series 24 as Michelle Dessler.

Life and career

Early life

Aylesworth was born in Evanston, Illinois,[2][3] and is of Dutch, Welsh, and Japanese ancestry, although Aylesworth is an Anglo-Saxon name.[4] She lived in Springfield, Illinois, from 1987 to 1988 where she first became interested in acting. After understudying in several productions at the Springfield Theatre Centre, Aylesworth was cast in the role of Consuelo in West Side Story, while her family was preparing to move to Seattle, Washington. When her family left for Seattle, she remained in Springfield with family friends for the duration of the play's run.[5]

Early career

After joining her family in Seattle, Aylesworth attended the University of Washington and studied neuroscience. While attending the University of Washington, Aylesworth participated in several local theatre productions including Invisible Friends at the Seattle Children's Theatre[6] and the Intiman Theatre Company's production of Peter Pan where she played Wendy.[7]

Aylesworth's performance in Peter Pan brought her to the attention of talent scouts at ABC, leading to the beginning of her television and film career as Rebecca Lewis on the soap opera One Life to Live.[8] After her character was written out of One Life to Live, she appeared in the independent film Childhood's End and the final episode of the HBO series Lifestories: Families in Crisis. During this time Aylesworth also appeared in at least three Off Broadway productions.

Following a guest appearance on Law & Order and a supporting role in the miniseries A Will of Their Own, Aylesworth had minor appearances in the movies Random Hearts and You've Got Mail followed by a guest star role in the CBS series Now and Again. Soon after NBC cast Aylesworth as Becca Coltrane in the pilot for the series Sherman's March, however, it was not picked up and aired as a standalone television movie.

Aylesworth continued her work on television with guest appearances in The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Ed as well as being cast in a lead role in the supernatural hospital drama All Souls. When All Souls failed to be continued, Aylesworth joined the cast of The American Embassy in the second episode, although she was also credited in the pilot.

24

Main article: Michelle Dessler

Following the cancellation of The American Embassy, Aylesworth auditioned for the part of Nina Myers on Fox Network's 24 but the role went to Sarah Clarke. When casting began for 24's second season, Aylesworth again auditioned, this time for the part of Kate Warner, but the role went to Sarah Wynter. However, the producers were impressed with her and asked her to join the cast for a ten episode recurring role as Michelle Dessler, a CTU agent.[9] Despite being credited as a guest star for the entire season, she appeared in all 24 episodes.[10]

Director Jon Cassar quickly noticed the "chemistry" between Aylesworth and her costar Carlos Bernard, which led to a decision allowing the actors to develop their characters' onscreen relationship.[11] The relationship between Tony Almeida and Michelle quickly became popular with many fans[12] and later would resurface as one of the driving forces in 24's seventh season.

While on hiatus from 24 after season two, Aylesworth filmed an episode for the second season of The Dead Zone, playing a love interest for Anthony Michael Hall's Johnny Smith.[13] By 24's third season, Aylesworth had become a main cast member with Tony and Michelle now married and holding leadership positions at CTU. However, when the season concluded, the writers announced only the characters of Jack Bauer, Chloe O'Brian and John Keeler would return, with the remainder of the cast being dropped.[14] Upon being released from 24, Aylesworth was cast as Chandra Moore in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the lab's new DNA analyst, and while the role was intended to be recurring, it only lasted for the first episode of CSI's fifth season.[15]

During 24 season 4, it was decided some of the cast from previous seasons would return including Carlos Bernard, Dennis Haysbert, and Reiko Aylesworth. In the twelfth episode, Aylesworth returned, with Michelle Dessler now a high level bureaucrat within the CTU hierarchy. Michelle served as CTU Director for the remainder of the season and resigned shortly thereafter in order to remarry Tony Almeida.[16] Aylesworth's time on 24 came to a conclusion in the opening episode of the fifth season when Michelle was killed by a car bomb.[17]

Post-24 roles

Following her departure from 24, Aylesworth has remained active in both television and movies as well as theatre. Her first leading role in a feature film was in the independent, romantic drama Crazylove where she worked alongside Bruno Campos and former 24 costar Paul Schulze. Crazylove tells the story of Letty Mayer, a school teacher who suffers a nervous breakdown and while institutionalized, meets Michael (Campos) and the two begin a dangerous and unpredictable romance.[18] She partnered with her former 24 costar Xander Berkeley in the Sci Fi Channel made-for-television movie, Magma: Volcanic Disaster.[19] In a guest start role on the short-lived series Conviction, she played a renowned attorney who killed her husband and then defended herself at the murder trial.[20] When the cast was selected for the series 3 lbs, Aylesworth was chosen for the role of Dr. Adrienne Holland, but the pilot was rejected by CBS.[21] The following season, CBS decided to buy the series for a late fall 2006 premiere, but the lead roles were recast, including Aylesworth's. It is unknown whether she declined the 3 lbs role or she was not offered it again.

Soon after the conclusion of 24's fifth season, Aylesworth and her 24 costar D. B. Woodside filmed the short, First which was also written, produced, and directed by Woodside. Aylesworth's character, Angelina Marveau, was "a fallen French nun" who was fighting to choose between her religious beliefs and first love, a nihilistic, American professor, who was portrayed by Woodside.[22]

Years 2006-2007

In 2006 Aylesworth filmed roles for two feature movie along with an independent production. In the Kevin Costner movie, Mr. Brooks, Aylesworth portrayed a divorce lawyer, Sheila, who was representing the husband of Demi Moore's character, Detective Tracy Atwood. Departing from her previous type of characters, Aylesworth played the femme fatale Audrey Levine in the Gideon Raff independent thriller, The Killing Floor.[23]

Aylesworth played one of the two lead roles in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).[24] Her character, Kelly O'Brien, an Army pilot and soldier returning home after being deployed overseas, arrives in Gunnison, Colorado the day before the Aliens and Predator invade the town.

In January 2007, Aylesworth had a guest role in two episodes of the ABC comedy, The Knights of Prosperity, where she played the head of Mick Jagger's security company, Simone Cashwell. The Knights attempt to seduce her character in order to obtain the necessary security codes to access Mick Jagger's apartment and later trick Simone in order to get her thumbprint which is also needed to open the door.[25] Soon after she filmed a supporting role in Hannah Davis and David Conolly's The Understudy where she played Police Chief Kinsky. While it has appeared at numerous film festivals, a DVD release date for The Understudy has not been announced.[26]

Roles of 2008

Aylesworth continued her work in independent productions, filming a small part for Steven Kampmann's independent movie, Buzzkill. It is not known when Buzzkill will be released as it has not been shown at any film festivals and the movie's website has not been updated since April, 2008.[27] A month later, Aylesworth was cast in a recurring role on ER, playing hospital chaplain Julia Dupree. Originally, Dupree was to appear in 5 episodes[28] with the purpose of attracting the lecherous attention of Dr. Gates (John Stamos). Her role was extended for two additional episodes, but concluded due to the suspension of filming resulting from the 2007-2008 WGA Strike. In May, 2008 Aylesworth filmed a supporting role in the Steve Morris, independent, comedy The Assistants,,[29] which tells the story of a group of Hollywood assistants who are scheming to have their script turned into a feature film. Aylesworth has often said independent productions like these and past films such as No Deposit, No Return, are her preferred types of film.[30]

The next big role

Since filming The Assistants, Aylesworth has focused on television work starting with a recurring role on the ABC series Lost. The character, Amy, was originally described as "a smart and successful professional woman with a love for the outdoors who is looking for the right man" and would appear in at least four episodes.[31] However, the character would only be in three episodes, and was a married member of the Dharma Initiative, not a woman looking for a husband.

Soon after her role on Lost concluded, it was announced that Aylesworth had joined the cast of Jerry Bruckheimer's new ABC crime drama, The Forgotten. When first made public, The Forgotten was to focus on a group of amateur detectives, The Identity Network, who are led by Linda Manning (Aylesworth), and focused on identifying murder victims after the police were unable to do so.[32][33] After the official network upfronts, as well as previews and promotional pictures had been released by ABC, it was announced for reasons as yet unknown that ABC had decided to recast the series and replace the two lead characters, portrayed respectively by Rupert Penry-Jones and Aylesworth.[34]

Current life

Aylesworth has resided in New York City[35] since 1993 and when not appearing on screen, she is often involved in Off Broadway productions. Her most recent was the 2006 production of Etan Frankel's The Fearless at the Summer Play Festival[36] and The New Group (naked)'s 2007 production of Heather Lynn MacDonald's Expats.[37]

Reiko Aylesworth appeared in a recurring role in the third season of Damages[38] and on Stargate Universe.

Most recent roles

Aylesworth is most recently known for her portrayal of the recurring character Dr. Malia Waincroft in CBS' Hawaii Five-0 in 2011. She has also appeared in Elementary as Miranda Molinari and in Person of Interest as Agent Vickers in 2012.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1993–94 One Life to Live Rebecca Lewis TV series
1996 Lifestories: Families in Crisis Rita TV episode ("Someone Had to Be Benny")
1997 Childhood's End Laurie Cannon Feature film
1997 Law & Order Tiffany Sherman TV episode ("We Like Mike")
1998 A Will of Their Own Annie Jermaine TV miniseries
1998 You've Got Mail Thanksgiving Guest Feature film
1999 Random Hearts Mary Claire Clark Feature film
1999 Now and Again Dr. Taylor TV episode ("By the Light of the Moon")
1999 Man on the Moon Mimi Feature film
2000 No Deposit, No Return Sue Feature film
2000 Sherman's March Becca Coltrane TV film
2000 The West Wing Janine TV episode ("Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics")
2000 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit A.D.A. Erica Alden TV episodes ("Contact", "Remorse", and "Slaves")
2001 All Souls Dr. Philomena Cullen TV series (main cast, with scenes in all episodes except the pilot)
2002 Ed Kate Harrison TV episode ("Ends and Means")
2002 The American Embassy Liz Shoop TV series (main cast, with scenes in all episodes except the pilot)
2002–06 24 Michelle Dessler TV series (62 episodes)
2003 The Dead Zone Natalie Connor TV episode ("Deja Voodoo")
2003 North of Providence Little Girl Voice Short film
2004 The Last Full Measure Mother Short film
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Chandra Moore TV episode ("Viva Las Vegas")
2005 Shooting Vegetarians Daisy Feature film (filmed 1999–2000, released on DVD in 2005)
2005 Fathers and Sons Business Woman TV film
2005 Crazylove Letty Mayer Feature film
2006 3 lbs Dr. Adrienne Holland Unaired TV series pilot (series recast)
2006 Magma: Volcanic Disaster Natalie Sheppard TV film
2006 24: The Game Michelle Dessler Video game voice-over
2006 Conviction Julie Phelps TV episode ("Deliverance")
2007 The Knights of Prosperity Simone Cashwell TV episodes ("Operation: Seduce Simone" and "Operation: Fighting Shape")
2007 The Killing Floor Audrey Levine Feature film
2007 First Angelina Marveau Short film
2007 Mr. Brooks Sheila Feature film
2007 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Kelly O'Brien Feature film
2007 ER Julia Dupree TV series (recurring in season 14, seven episodes)
2008 The Understudy Chief Kinsky Feature film
2008 The Assistants Cassie Levine Feature film
2009 Lost[39] Amy Goodspeed[40] TV series (recurring role)
2009 The Forgotten[33] Linda Manning Unaired TV series pilot (series recast)[34]
2009–10 Stargate Universe Sharon TV episodes (1.09, 1.16, and 2.04)
2010 Damages (TV series) Rachel Tobin Season 3, Episodes 1, 2, 4, 8, 13
2010 The Good Wife Nora Vashley TV episode ("On Tap" 2.08)
2011–14 Hawaii Five-0 Dr. Malia Waincroft TV series (7 episodes)
2011 Lights Out Jennifer TV series (3 episodes)
2012 Buzzkill Sara Feature Film
2012 Bad Parents Laurie Feature Film
2012 Elementary Miranda Molinari TV series (Season 1 Episode 06: "Flight Risk")
2012 Person of Interest Agent Vickers TV series (Season 2 Episode 09: "C.O.D.")
2013 King & Maxwell Liz Allen TV series (Season 1 Episode 04: "King's Ransom")
2013 Drop Dead Diva June Fraizer TV series (Season 5 Episode 06: "Fool for Love")
2014 Revolution Marion Kelly TV series (4 episodes)
2016 NCIS Mrs. Marshall TV series (Season 13 Episode 22: "Homefront")

Theatre

Year Theater/Festival Location Production Role
1988 Springfield Theatre Centre Springfield, Illinois West Side Story Consuelo[5]
1992 Seattle Children's Theatre Seattle Invisible Friends Lucy Baines[41]
1992–93 Intiman Theatre Company Seattle Peter Pan Wendy[42]
1993 Cucaracha Theater New York City The Gut Girls
1994 Jewish Theater of New York New York City One Hundred Gates
1996 Philadelphia Festival Theater
George Street Playhouse		 Philadelphia
New Brunswick, N.J.		 Cheap Sentiment Meg Van Dyke[43]
1996 Primary Stages Theater New York City Missing / Kissing: Missing Marisa / Kissing Christine Server in "Kissing"[44]
1997 American Place Theatre New York City Robbers Lucinda[45]
2002 McCarter Theatre Center Princeton, N.J. Humpty Dumpty Spoon[46]
2005 Williamstown Theatre Festival Williamstown, Mass. Top Girls Lady Nijo/Win[47]
2006 Summer Play Festival New York City The Fearless Meg
2007 The New Group New York City Expats Karina[37]

References

  1. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil. "Reiko Aylesworth". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Carlos Bernard: Biography". TV Guide. born in the same [Evanston] hospital as Reiko Aylesworth
  3. ↑ Dahl, Steve (May 24, 2005). "Episode: "May 24, 2005"". Dahl.com. She was born in the same hospital as her "24" co-star Carlos Bernard
  4. ↑ Jonathan Reiner, "Reiko & Famous," Soap Opera Weekly, (21 June 1994).
  5. 1 2 Nick Rogers, "All in a Day's Work; '24' Actress Landed Her First Role in Springfield," State Journal-Register, February 6, 2003, Entertainment Section.
  6. ↑ Misha Berson, "Invisible Friends is All too Transparent," The Seattle Times, September 18, 1992, Tempo Section.
  7. ↑ Joe Adcock, Intiman Saves 'Peter Pan" from Excessive Sweetness, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 13, 1992, What's Happening Section.
  8. ↑ Marla Hart, "Midwest Roots - Shows Subvert Values Even as They Maintain Them," Chicago Tribune, September 2, 1993, Tempo Section.
  9. ↑ Terry Armour, "Armour & Co." Chicago Tribune, March 21, 2004, Arts & Entertainment Section.
  10. ↑ Tara Dilullo, 24: The Official Companion: Seasons 1 & 2, (London: Titan Books, 2006), 91.
  11. ↑ Tara Dilullo, 24: The Official Companion: Seasons 1 & 2, (London: Titan Books, 2006), 107.
  12. ↑ Reiko Aylesworth, “Meeting Michelle,” Interview by Tara DuLullio, (Titan Magazines), 24: The Official Magazine, (January/February 2007), 49.
  13. ↑ "'Zone' Star Foresees Success". Daily News. New York. July 5, 2003.
  14. ↑ Adalian, Josef (July 18, 2004). "New faces for '24'". Variety.
  15. ↑ Gail Pennington, "TV Dramas Use Conflict -- Lots of Conflict to Gain an Edge," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 30, 2004, Everyday Magazine Section.
  16. ↑ Kevin McDonough, "The Bodies Pile up as '24' Intensifies - Only Half the Series' 24-hour 'Day' Remains; Who Will be Left Alive? The Grand Rapids Press, March 14, 2005, Your Life Section.
  17. ↑ Virginia Rohan, "More Shows Kill Off Prime-Time Players," The Free Lance-Star, May 5, 2006.
  18. ↑ Bucks County Courier Times, "Game Shows go for Big Money, " February 14, 2006, Sunday Life Section.
  19. ↑ USA Today, "The Attack of the Popular 'B' Horror Films, " April 20, 2005, Life Section.
  20. ↑ Gail Pennington, "Critic's Pick, " St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 5, 2006, Everyday Section.
  21. ↑ D. Mason, "Studio Backs ' 3 Lbs.' Creator", Ventura County Star, July 14, 2005, Life, Arts and Living Section.
  22. ↑ "FIRST. by DB Woodside & Nick Sivakumaran - Short Film @ Brooklyn Film Festival". Wbff.org. June 11, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  23. ↑ Daniel Pike, "'24' Questions," The State Journal-Register, February 1, 2007, Entertainment Section.
  24. ↑ LaPorte, Nicole (September 24, 2006). "Duo boards 'Alien' ship". Variety.
  25. ↑ David Bianculli, "ABC Heist Sitcom's Stealing the Show", New York Daily News, January 3, 2007, Television Section.
  26. ↑ Mansion Pictures. "Mansion Pictures". Mansionpicturesny.com. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  27. ↑ Karen Keller, "Clifton Pizzeria Enjoys Slice of Stardom in Indie Film," The Record, August 1, 2007, Local Section.
  28. ↑ Dodd, Stacy (September 5, 2007). "Reiko Aylesworth". Variety.
  29. ↑ The Assistants Wraps Principal Photography
  30. ↑ Reiko Aylesworth, “An Evening with Reiko Aylesworth,” (Hoogland Center for the Arts. Springfield, Illinois, February 4, 2007).
  31. ↑ "24" actress turns up in "Lost". Reuters. November 7, 2008.
  32. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 17, 2009). "Flurry of castings for several pilots". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009.
  33. 1 2 "Breaking News - 2009 ABC Program Development Guide - Drama Series". TheFutonCritic.com. April 29, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  34. 1 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20090606142602/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7091575e2b2c21c200d8a26fff08d4a0. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. ↑ Daniel Pike, "'24' Questions / Hollywood Actress Returning to Springfield for Q&A" The State Journal-Register, February 1, 2007, Entertainment Section.
  36. ↑ "SPF Announces Final Week Schedule, July 24–30". Broadwayworld.com. July 18, 2006. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  37. 1 2 Ernio Hernandez (April 30, 2007). "Halston, Pankow, Aylesworth and Dale Cast in New Group (naked)'s Strangers Knocking and Expats". Playbill.com. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  38. ↑ Adam Bryant (1 October 2009). "Damages Books Reiko Aylesworth for Recurring Role". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  39. ↑ 24 Alum Reiko Aylesworth Clocks in at Lost" TV Guide. November 7, 2008. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.
  40. ↑ Lost, 24 beefing up casts" Hollywood Reporter. November 7, 2008. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.
  41. ↑ Joe Adcock, "Invisible Friends Reveals Valuable Family Lesson," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 15, 1992, Entertainment Section.
  42. ↑ Steven Samuels, editor, Theatre Profiles 11: The Illustrated Guide to America's Nonprofit Professional Theatre, (New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1994), 73.
  43. ↑ Alvin Klein, "A Grudge Match With Hollywood," New York Times, March 3, 1996, Section 13NJ.
  44. ↑ Aileen Jacobson, "Shanley Tries, Misses in 'Missing / Kissing,'" Newsday, October 18, 1996 Weekend Section.
  45. ↑ Greg Evans, "Robbers," Variety, February 14, 1997, Reviews Section.
  46. ↑ Bruce Weber, "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?," New York Times, April 3, 2002, Arts/Cultural Section.
  47. ↑ Louise Kennedy, "Top Girls is Dressed for Success," The Boston Globe, July 26, 2005, Arts Section.

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