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Quick Facts
Biography
Odeya Rushinek (Hebrew: אודיה רושינק; born (1997-05-12)May 12, 1997), known professionally as Odeya Rush, is an Israeli actress, model and filmmaker. She is known for her lead roles in The Giver (2014), Goosebumps (2015) and Dumplin' (2018).
Early life
Odeya Rushinek was born in Haifa, Israel, to an Ashkenazi Jewish family. Her father Shlomo Rushinek was born in Israel and he is of Polish-Jewish descent, whereas her mother Maia (née Greenfeld) was born in Soviet Russia and immigrated to Israel. Her name, "Odeya", means "I will thank God" in Hebrew. As an eight year-old in Haifa, she wrote and performed plays.
Her family moved to the United States when she was nine so that her father could take a job as a security consultant in Alabama. When she arrived, Rush could speak only Hebrew. She attended N.E. Miles Jewish Day School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she lived. She later moved to Midland Park, New Jersey, where she attended public school.
In the beginning of 2013, Rush moved to Los Angeles, California with her family. Rush has six brothers. Four of them are younger than she is—two sets of twins who live with their parents in Los Angeles, and two older brothers who live in Israel.
Career
Modeling
Before becoming an actress, Rush began her career in her childhood and adolescence when she was discovered as a model in the United States, appearing in major campaigns and advertisements for fashion brands Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and Guess.
Acting
Her first acting roles began in 2010 in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, in the episode "Branded", in which she played the character Hannah Milner; and in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm in the episode "Mister Softee", as Emily.
Her first film role was in 2012, playing Joni Jerome, the best friend of Timothy, in the Peter Hedges-directed Disney film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.
In 2013, Rush was named one of Hollywood's 20 up and coming young actresses under 20 to watch by The Midwest TV Guys.
Rush co-starred, as Fiona, in the science fiction film The Giver (2014), based on the 1993 novel of same name from Lois Lowry, and directed by Phillip Noyce. The film also starred Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgård and Taylor Swift. In 2014, Rush was one of two Israeli actresses, along with Gal Gadot,to be named as Hollywood's newest leading ladies by InStyle magazine.
In 2015, Rush played Ashley Burwood, niece of Johana Burwood (played by Sarah Hyland), in the comedy film See You in Valhalla. Rush's next role was the female lead in the film Goosebumps, based on the R. L. Stine's popular book series. Rush played Hannah Fairchild, the "daughter" of R. L. Stine (portrayed by Jack Black), who teams up with her neighbor to fight the Goosebumps monsters.
In 2016, Rush completed filming the satirical comedy film Dear Dictator, in which she starred with Michael Caine and Katie Holmes. She was also cast as Ella Hatto, opposite Sam Worthington, in action-thriller film The Hunter's Prayer directed by Jonathan Mostow.
In 2017, she had a supporting role in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird; Rush was nominated along with the rest of the cast for numerous awards. The film earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
She starred in The Bachelors with J. K. Simmons in 2017.
Accolades
Year | Award / film festival | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | The Chambie Awards | Best Actress | The Odd Life of Timothy Green | Nominated | |
2013 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress | Nominated | ||
The Chambie Awards | Best Actress | We Are What We Are | Nominated | ||
2014 | Teen Choice Awards | Olay Fresh Effects Breakout Star Award | Herself | Nominated | |
The Chambie Awards | Best Actress | The Giver | Nominated | ||
2016 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress (14–21) | Goosebumps | Won | |
2017 | Detroit Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | Lady Bird | Nominated | |
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble Cast (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Performance by a Cast Ensemble (shared with cast) | Won | |||
Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | 2nd place | |||
2018 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Acting Ensemble (shared with cast) | Nominated | ||
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards | Best Ensemble (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (shared with cast) | Nominated | |||
Gold Derby Awards | Best Ensemble Cast (shared with cast) | Nominated |