Vampire Drusilla

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, daughter of Oscar winner Martin Landau and Emmy winner Barbara Bain and sister of producer Susan B. Landau, is best known for her portrayal of Drusilla, the insane vampire, in both “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-1998, 2000-2003) and its spin-off series “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, opposite her father. A presence in Hollywood cinema since her debut in 1990's “The Grifters,” Juliet has starred in various independent movies such as “Life Among the Cannibals” (1996), Carlo's Wake” (1999) and “Repossessed” (2002) and “Hack!” (2007). She also appeared in Henry Jaglom's film “Going Shopping” (2005). As for her upcoming credits, Juliet will play roles in three thriller films, namely “Darkness Visible” (2007), “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “Land of Canaan” (both 2008).

“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

Miss Landau, whose star sign is Aries, currently resides in Los Angeles. She enjoys going to the gym and has described herself as “a fitness freak.” The dark brown-haired, blue-eyed beauty also loves reading and mentions “Anna Karenina” and “Jane Eyre” as her favorites books. Her favorite movies are “Dogday Afternoon” and “The Godfather,” and her favorite singer is Sheryl Crow.

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 still a child. During her youth in London, Juliet studied both 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:

“I loved dancing. I still use my dance background in the different physicality's of each character I work on. Once I started studying acting, I was energized and excited by the verbal exchange, having a conceptual communication of what was being expressed. As a dancer I was technically very proficient, but for me dancing was always about expressing something more. With acting you add the component of language to the above.” Juliet Landau

Daughter of professional actors, Juliet Landau began her career as a ballerina before switching gears to acting and 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 found herself debuting on the small screen with a guest spot on “Parker Lewis Can't Lose.”

Juliet's career gained boost in 1994 when she landed the role of Loretta King in the Tim Burton highly acclaimed “Ed Wood,” which starred Johnny Depp and featured the Oscar-winning performance of her real life father, Martin Landau. Her performance in the film attracted attention of many critics. More film roles followed after her screen breakthrough performance. Juliet was cast as Shelly in the indie-drama “Direct Hit” (1994), costarred with Whoopi Goldberg and Armin Mueller-Stahl in the direct-to-video “Theodore Rex” (1995), playing Dr. Veronica Shade, starred opposite Kieran Mulroney in the independent comedy “Life Among the Cannibals” (1996) and supported Bruce Payne and Yancy Butler in “Ravager” (1997), an independent film directed by James D. Deck.

Her role in “Ed Wood” also put Juliet under the radar of Joss Whedon, the creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” who offered her a part in the popular supernatural show. She took the role of the villainous vampire Drusilla and played the role from 1997 to 1998. After leaving the series, she could be seen playing Anna Torello in the based-on-play indie-comedy “Carlo's Wake” (1999), along side Michael Chiklis, Christopher Meloni and Rita Moreno, and guested in episodes of series “Millennium” and “La Femme Nikita” (both 1999).

In the late 2000, Juliet was brought back to the spotlight when she reprised her beloved 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 “Buffy” until the show came to an end in 2003.

During her stint in both shows, Juliet kept on pursuing 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, and after the demise of “Angel,” she went on to make films, appearing with Erika Eleniak in the direct-to-video “Fatal Reunion” and with 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, Kelly Hu and many others. She next had a supporting role as Mary Shelley King in Matt Flynn's “Hack!,” opposite Danica McKellar and William Forsythe.

Recently, Juliet has completed filming two films, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” based on Charlotte Perkins Gillman's revolutionist short story of the same name, and “Land of Canaan,” both of which for 2008 releases. She will play Charlotte Weiland, opposite Aric Chusing as Dr. John Weiland in the first film, while in the latter she shares the screen with Julianne Michelle and Tara Reid. She is also set to act with her mother, Barbara Bain, in the upcoming thriller “Darkness Visible” (2007), directed by Harry Bromley Davenport. Sean Young and M. Emmet Walsh also star in the movie.

In addition to her work on film and television, Juliet has gained striking notices for leading roles on the stage. Among 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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