Quick Facts
Biography
Vanessa Zima (born December 17, 1986) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as a child actress in the 1990s films The Baby-Sitters Club, Ulee's Gold, and Wicked, and for her recurring role on the first season of the 1995 television legal drama Murder One.
Career
Zima has appeared in films such as The Baby-Sitters Club (1995), Ulee's Gold (1997), Wicked (1998), and The Brainiacs.com (2000). She has also appeared in television series such as Murder One, Family Law, Judging Amy, House, and Scandal.
Life
Zima was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, the daughter of Dennis and Marie. Her surname means "winter" in Polish and comes from her maternal grandfather, who was of Polish descent.
Zima has an older sister, Madeline, and a younger sister, Yvonne, both of whom are actresses.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Baby-Sitters Club | Rosie Wilder | |
| 1997 | Ulee's Gold | Penny Jackson | |
| 1998 | The Rose Sisters | ||
| 1998 | Wicked | Inger Christianson | |
| 2000 | The Brainiacs.com | Kelly Tyler | |
| 2001 | Zoe | Zoe | |
| 2004 | Cavedweller | Amanda Windsor | |
| 2006 | The Far Side of Jericho | Greta Van Dam | |
| 2011 | The Absent | Amy Jones | |
| 2011 | Destruction Party | Emily | Short film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–1996 | Murder One | Elizabeth Hoffman | Recurring role (season 1), 9 episodes |
| 1997 | Crisis Center | Jenny Maxfield | Episode: "It's a Family Affair" |
| 1997 | The Visitor | Melissa | Episode: "Remember" |
| 2000 | Family Law | Marie Cameron | Episode: "One Mistake" |
| 2004 | Judging Amy | Katie Hadlock | Episode: "Werewolves of Hartford" |
| 2008 | House | Becca | Episode: "Joy" |
| 2012 | Scandal | Jill | Episode: "The Other Woman" |
| 2016 | Killing Mommy | Becky | Television film |
Awards and nominations
In 1998, Zima was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress for Ulee's Gold (1997); the award was won by her co-star in the film, Jessica Biel.