Amanda Wyss

Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California, Amanda Wyss began her acting career after being discovered in a theater production of “The Bad Seed.” She quickly transitioned into commercials before securing a guest-starring role in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1979) and a recurring role on “When the Whistle Blows” (1980). Her early career saw her recognized with a Best Young Artist award for her performance in the ABC After School Special “She Drinks a Little” (1981). Wyss also gained stage experience, sharing performances with Eva Marie Saint in “The Country Girl.” These initial opportunities laid the groundwork for her extensive film and television work.

Throughout the 1980s, Wyss appeared in prominent films such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982), where she played Lisa, and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), where she was the first on-screen victim, Tina Gray. Other significant film roles include Beth in “Better Off Dead” (1985), Phoebe in “Silverado” (1985), and Rabbit Layton in the independent film “Powwow Highway” (1989). Her television career also expanded with recurring roles on series like “Cheers” (1982), “St. Elsewhere” (1982), “Cagney & Lacey” (1981), and “Highlander” (1992-1993). She continued to work regularly in television with guest roles in later productions such as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2000), “Dexter” (2006), “Murder in the First” (2014), and “All Rise” (2019).

More recently, Wyss has been recognized for her acting in horror and western genres. She received Best Actress honors at the Santa Monica International Film Festival for her role in the horror film “Oct 23rd” (2016). She also appeared in the Syfy Channel original movie “The Sandman” (2017), produced by Stan Lee, and delivered a critically acclaimed performance in the drama “The Id” (2015). Her return to westerns was marked by an award-winning performance in “Badland” (2019). Her diverse filmography demonstrates a consistent career across various genres and platforms.