credit: @amberrosetamblyn
Amber Tamblyn, best known for her role as Joan Girardi on CBS’s fantasy family drama Joan of Arcadia, has consistently demonstrated her acting prowess, tenacity, and Hollywood pedigree. To help you get to know this talented actress better, here are 18 fascinating facts about Amber Tamblyn.
1. A Family of Entertainers
Amber Tamblyn hails from a family of successful entertainers. Her father, Russell Irving Tamblyn, is a well-known actor, and her grandfather, Eddie Tamblyn, was a vaudeville performer. Additionally, her uncle, Larry Tamblyn, is the keyboardist for The Standells band. Amber’s mother was a teacher, singer, and artist.
2. Her Acting Journey Began at Age 10
Amber’s acting career started when she was just 10 years old. After seeing her perform as Pippi Longstocking in a school play, her father’s agent, Sharon Debord, convinced him to let Amber attend auditions.
3. First TV Role: Emily Bowen in General Hospital
credit: General Hospital
Amber landed her first TV role as Emily Quartermaine on General Hospital just before her 12th birthday. She played the character from January 1995 to July 2001.
4. Iconic Role as Joan Girardi in Joan of Arcadia
credit: Joan of Arcadia
Amber is best remembered for her portrayal of Joan Girardi in Joan of Arcadia. The series follows the life of a teenage girl who is given the divine ability to see and speak with God.
5. Father-Daughter Cameo in Django Unchained
Both Amber and her father, Russ Tamblyn, made cameo appearances in Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 film Django Unchained. Their appearances occur back-to-back, so keep your eyes peeled!
6. Amber’s First Film Role
Amber’s first film role was in Love Nude Girls, where she played the character of Young Jill. Although it was a minor role, it marked the beginning of her successful acting career. She was 12 years old when the movie was released.
7. Theatrical Arts School from Ages 5 to 14
Amber’s parents recognized her passion for acting early on and enrolled her in a grade school focused on theatrical arts. She attended the school from ages 5 to 14, where she played Pippi Longstocking and caught the attention of her father’s agent.
8. Board of Directors at Soho Rep Theater
Amber serves on the board of directors for the Soho Repertory Theatre in New York, which produces avant-garde plays for contemporary writers.
9. Hollywood Godfather Figures
Amber has three notable Hollywood stars as godfather figures: the late Dean Stockwell, Dennis Hopper, and Neil Young. All three men were close friends of her father and had a significant influence on her life.
10. Scottish Ancestry
Amber’s maternal grandfather was a Scottish immigrant to the US, and she also has English, Cornish, and Scots-Irish/Northern Irish ancestry.
11. Published Author and Cultural Critic
Amber has published seven bestselling, critically acclaimed books, including a book of poems called Free Stallion. She also writes for The New York Times as a cultural critic, focusing on women’s rage and gender inequality.
12. Feminist and Co-founder of Time’s Up
Amber is a vocal feminist and co-founder of Time’s Up, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting sexual harassment in the workplace.
13. Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Nominations
Amber was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2004 for her performance as Joan Girardi in Joan of Arcadia. She also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for the same role and series in 2004.
14. The James Woods Allegation
credit: White House Down
Amber publicly accused actor James Woods of attempting to seduce her and her friend at a restaurant when they were 16 years old. Woods denied the allegation, calling it a lie.
15. Married to David Cross
Amber is happily married to American actor and comedian David Cross. The couple tied the knot on October 6, 2012, and have a daughter, Marlow Alice Cross, born on February 15, 2017.
16. Starred in Several Top TV Series
credit: Two and a Half Men
Amber has appeared in numerous top-rated TV shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, CSI: Miami, House, Inside Amy Schumer, and Two and a Half Men.
17. Working Relationship with Her Parents
Amber has spoken about her experience having her father as co-manager and her mother as business manager, describing herself as “everybody’s ATM.” She has since expressed her disapproval of mixing family and professional relationships.
18. Accused of Anti-Semitism
In March 2018, Amber tweeted about a near-accident involving a Hasidic Jewish man while she was walking with her daughter in a stroller. She went on to accuse the Hasidic Jewish community in the South Williamsburg area of New York of recklessly endangering women. Amber faced backlash for generalizing the entire Hasidic Jewish community.
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