Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Background:

“I like working in both movies and television. Television is faster, not very much rehearsal and a lot of material is shot in a day. Big budget movies are luxurious in terms of the schedule. Independent films often shoot fast as well.” Juliet Landau

Ballerina-turned-actress Juliet Landau, the daughter of Oscar winner Martin Landau and Emmy winner Barbara Bain and the sister of producer Susan B. Landau, is best known for her portrayal of vampire Drusilla in the series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-1998, 2000-2003) and its spin-off “Angel” (2000-2004), from which she netted a 2001 Saturn nomination. The beautiful performer won the coveted role after the show's creator spotted her in Tim Burton's “Ed Wood” (1994), in which she notably portrayed Loretta King. A presence in Hollywood cinema since her debut in 1990's “The Grifters,” Juliet has starred in various independent movies, including “Life Among the Cannibals” (1996), Carlo's Wake” (1999), “Repossessed” (2002) and “Hack” (2007). She also appeared in Henry Jaglom's film “Going Shopping” (2005) and will act in the upcoming “The Yellow Wallpaper,” “Strange Frame: Love & Sax) and “Material Lies,” to name a few assignments.

“I like to read. I go to movies quite a bit. I often go to see friends in theater productions. I hike, stretch and workout. I like to sing. I love going back to acting class and working on new material.” Juliet Landau

Ballerina

Childhood and Family:

Juliet Rose Landau was born in Los Angeles, California, on March 30, 1965, to actors Martin Landau (born June 20, 1931) and Barbara Bain (born September 13, 1931). She was raised in southern California until her parents moved to London when she was a child. While in London, Juliet studied acting and classical ballet at a local American school and spent five years making a living as a professional ballerina. She did not return to the United States and California until aged 18, where she pursued a full time career as an actress. Juliet's sister, Susan B. Landau, is a producer.

Ed Wood

Career:

The daughter of professional actors, Juliet Landau began her career as a ballerina before switching gears to acting. She made her film debut in Stephen Frears' “The Grifters” (1990), playing a young Anjelica Huston. She resurfaced two years later in 1992's “Neon City.” The same year, she also debuted on the small screen with a guest spot on “Parker Lewis Can't Lose.”

In 1994, Juliet landed the role of Loretta King in the Tim Burton highly acclaimed “Ed Wood,” which starred Johnny Depp and featured an Oscar winning performance by her father, Martin Landau. She was next cast as Shelly in “Direct Hit” (1994), costarred with Whoopi Goldberg and Armin Mueller-Stahl in the direct-to-video “Theodore Rex” (1995), opposite Kieran Mulroney in the independent comedy “Life among the Cannibals” (1996) and supported Bruce Payne and Yancy Butler in “Ravager” (1997), a film directed by James D. Deck. Her role in “Ed Wood” also put Juliet on the radar of Joss Whedon, the creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” who offered her a part in the popular supernatural show. She took on the role of the villainous vampire Drusilla and portrayed the character from 1997 to 1998. After leaving the series, she could be seen playing Anna Torello in the comedy “Carlo's Wake” (1999), alongside Michael Chiklis, Christopher Meloni and Rita Moreno, and guest starring in episodes of the series “Millennium” and “La Femme Nikita” (both 1999).

Juliet was brought back to the spotlight when she reprised her popular character of vampire Drusilla for the spin-off series “Angel” (2000-2004) and was nominated for a Saturn for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2001. Since the return, her character reappeared several times in the original series until the show came to an end in 2003. While on the series, Juliet also pursued other projects. She acted in the short film “Freedom Park” (2001) and starred with JoBeth Williams in an independent film directed by John Coven called “Repossessed” (2002). After appearing as Lorraine in an episode of “Strong Medicine” (2003), she took on a role in the horror film “Toolbox Murders” (2004), as Julia Cunningham. After the demise of “Angel,” she appeared with Erika Eleniak in the direct-to-video “Fatal Reunion” and Victoria Foyt, Bruce Davison and Rob Morrow in Henry Jaglom's “Going Shopping” (also 2005). She returned to series TV in the acclaimed animated show “Justice League,” in which she provided the voice of Tala in seven episodes from 2005 to 2006.

On February 28, 2007, Juliet made a guest appearance in an episode of the short-lived comedy series “In Case of Emergency,” starring David Arquette, Jonathan Silverman and Kelly Hu. She then portrayed Mary Shelley King in Matt Flynn's “Hack,” opposite Danica McKellar and William Forsythe and was heard in the animated series “Ben 10: Alien Force” (2008-2010).

Recently, Juliet completed filming the films “The Yellow Wallpaper,” based on Charlotte Perkins Gillman's revolutionist short story of the same name, and “Monster Mutt” (2010). She is also set to appear in director G.B. Hajim’s upcoming “Strange Frame: Love & Sax” (2011), Katherine Starr’s “Material Lies” and the television series “Naught For Hire,” which is scheduled to be released in 2011.

In addition to film and television, Juliet has appeared on stage and her credits include Clifford Odets' “Awake and Sing,” “Uncommon Women and Others,” “The Pushcart Peddlers,” “Billy Irish,” “We're Talking Today Here,” “Irish Coffee,” “Failure of Nerve” and “How to Steal an Election.” She also acted in the world premiere of the musical “The Songs of War.”

Awards:
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