Summer Bishil Bio

Summer Bishil was a Pasadena, California native. She and her family relocated to the United States when she was just three. Summer was a student at British as well as American schools while her family lived overseas, she returned to her home town of Pasadena just short of her 14th birthday. Summer, who had been attracted by the idea she would become an actor since she was five she took her first acting course at age 14. Nine months after that, she signed with an agent/manager and began her full-time profession. She is enrolled in college in weekends, and works toward her degree. Named one of the "Ten Actors to Watch" by Variety (2007). Nominated for Best Actress – Spirit Award. Bishil began acting classes at the age of 14 years old. Within a year, she was hired by an agency and manager. Bishil began her career on the Nickelodeon TV show Just for Kicks. After that she was signed a contract with a manager and agency. Her breakout role was in Alan Ball's 2007 film Towelhead. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same title. Slate critic Dana Stevens said, "Her performance is the best in a film which, with all its great intentions, is completely fake and slightly embarrassing, as an extended PSA about inappropriate touching." Bob Strauss, a Los Angeles journalist for a newspaper, said that Bishil "...is among the most talented natural actresses on film in recent years. In the September 12 Los Angeles Times review, Gary Goldstein stated that Summer Bishil is a "...newcomer has an intense and thrilling performance in the role of Jasira. "In 2009, she was a part of Wayne Kramer's new project, Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd, a portrayal that received some favorable notice from the Associated Press's Jay Reiner. She was in the role of Azula in M. Night Shyamalan's film The Last Airbender (2010). The sequel was not released.