Olivia Thirlby

Olivia Thirlby, born Olivia Jo Thirlby on October 6, 1986, in New York City, began her acting career professionally in 2003. She received extensive training in classical Shakespearean acting at the American Globe Theatre in New York and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she also completed a stage combat course with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC). This foundational training prepared her for a career encompassing both theater and film. Her early work included a role in “The Secret” during high school, followed by her film debut in “United 93” in 2006 and her television debut in “Kidnapped” the same year.

Thirlby gained significant recognition for her role as Leah in the comedy-drama film “Juno” (2007), which garnered critical acclaim. She subsequently appeared in various projects such as “The Wackness” (2008), where she played Stephanie, a character engaged in a relationship with Josh Peck’s character. Her career development included stage work, notably in the Off-Broadway production “Farragut North” (2008) at the Atlantic Theater Company. She continued to build her filmography with roles in diverse genres, including “No Strings Attached” (2011) and the science-fiction film “The Darkest Hour” (2011).

A turning point in her career was her casting as Judge Cassandra Anderson in the 2012 film adaptation of “Dredd,” a role that further showcased her versatility. She has since taken on prominent roles in television series such as Lucy Kittridge in “Goliath” (2016) and Hero Brown in “Y: The Last Man” (2021). Her recent work includes portraying Lilli Hornig in Christopher Nolan’s biographical film “Oppenheimer” (2023) and Yaara Plotkin in “Dumb Money” (2023), demonstrating her ongoing presence in notable cinematic productions. Beyond acting, Thirlby also has credits as a producer and writer, notably for the short film “Artist in a Field” (2022).