Alia Shawkat
Encyclopedia
Alia Martine Shawkat is an American
actress. She is best known for her role as Maeby Fünke in the Fox
series Arrested Development.
, California
, to actor Tony Shawkat, a native of Baghdad
, and Dina Burke. She grew up in nearby Palm Springs
. She has two brothers. Her maternal grandfather was actor Paul Burke
.
Shawkat is of Iraqi
descent on her father's side and Irish
descent on her mother's side.
on one episode of JAG
. She landed her first starring role in 2001, playing Hannah Rayburn in the television sitcom State of Grace, which aired in the United States on the cable television
channel Fox Family
(subsequently renamed ABC Family
) until 2002.
As Maeby Fünke, Shawkat was a regular cast member of Arrested Development for the entire run of the show (2003–2006). The series received nearly universal positive reviews, with Shawkat's performance occasionally singled out for praise; pop-culture commentator Brian M. Palmer remarked that she was "one of the brightest lights on a show populated solely by bright lights," and Scott Weinberg of eFilmCritic described her as "one funny young lady." In an interview with The A.V. Club
in 2010, Shawkat remarked that many of her "formative moments" as an actress took place on the Arrested Development set: " [Show creator] Mitch Hurwitz
was like a father figure to me...In a way, it was great to be around [the cast], because I feel that my understanding of comedy was able to grow really well during that time." Shawkat, along with the rest of the main cast, are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming Arrested Development feature film.
Since the end of Arrested Development, Shawkat has continued to act in feature films. In 2009, she played an Arab-American teen in Cherien Dabis
's film Amreeka
and appeared in Drew Barrymore
's directorial debut Whip It alongside Ellen Page
. In 2010, she appeared in The Runaways
, a biographical movie about the band
of the same name, playing a fictional version of the band's bassist.
In 2009, Shawkat appeared in Whip It co-star Har Mar Superstar
's music video for "Tall Boy", which also featured Eva Mendes
and Eric Wareheim
. In October 2009, it was announced that Shawkat, Har Mar, and fellow Whip It co-star Page would produce and write a show for HBO called Stitch N' Bitch. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show "follows two painfully cool hipster girls as they relocate from Brooklyn
's Williamsburg
neighborhood to Los Angeles
' Silver Lake
enclave in hopes of becoming artists – of any kind."
Shawkat, along with Arrested Development co-star Mae Whitman
, sang guest vocals on a number of tracks from indie-punk band Fake Problems
' newest album Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. She is best known for her role as Maeby Fünke in the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
series Arrested Development.
Personal life
Shawkat was born in RiversideRiverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, to actor Tony Shawkat, a native of Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, and Dina Burke. She grew up in nearby Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
. She has two brothers. Her maternal grandfather was actor Paul Burke
Paul Burke (actor)
Paul Burke was an American actor best known for his lead roles in two 1960s ABC television series, Naked City and Twelve O'Clock High...
.
Shawkat is of Iraqi
Iraqi people
The Iraqi people or Mesopotamian people are natives or inhabitants of the country of Iraq, known since antiquity as Mesopotamia , with a large diaspora throughout the Arab World, Europe, the Americas, and...
descent on her father's side and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
descent on her mother's side.
Career
Shawkat made her acting debut in both film and television in 1999. In that year, she played the daughter of the character Amir in the feature film Three Kings, in which her father Tony Shawkat played a member of the Iraqi Republican Guard, and appeared as a young Sarah "Mac" MacKenzieSarah MacKenzie
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, JAGC, USMC is one of the main characters in the JAG TV series.In her first appearance on the show and for several seasons, she holds the rank of Major USMC, but is then promoted to Lieutenant...
on one episode of JAG
JAG (TV series)
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
. She landed her first starring role in 2001, playing Hannah Rayburn in the television sitcom State of Grace, which aired in the United States on the cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
channel Fox Family
Fox Family
Fox Family may refer to:* The Fox Family, a 2006 South Korean film* Fox Family, a former name of American television cable network ABC Family...
(subsequently renamed ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
) until 2002.
As Maeby Fünke, Shawkat was a regular cast member of Arrested Development for the entire run of the show (2003–2006). The series received nearly universal positive reviews, with Shawkat's performance occasionally singled out for praise; pop-culture commentator Brian M. Palmer remarked that she was "one of the brightest lights on a show populated solely by bright lights," and Scott Weinberg of eFilmCritic described her as "one funny young lady." In an interview with The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
in 2010, Shawkat remarked that many of her "formative moments" as an actress took place on the Arrested Development set: " [Show creator] Mitch Hurwitz
Mitchell Hurwitz
Mitchell D. Hurwitz is an American television writer and producer. He is best known as the creator of the television sitcom Arrested Development as well as the co-creator of The Ellen Show, and a contributor to The John Larroquette Show and The Golden Girls.-Birth and early life:Hurwitz was born...
was like a father figure to me...In a way, it was great to be around [the cast], because I feel that my understanding of comedy was able to grow really well during that time." Shawkat, along with the rest of the main cast, are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming Arrested Development feature film.
Since the end of Arrested Development, Shawkat has continued to act in feature films. In 2009, she played an Arab-American teen in Cherien Dabis
Cherien Dabis
Cherien Dabis is a Palestinian American director, producer, and screenwriter. She was named one of Variety magazine's 10 Directors to Watch in 2009.-Background:...
's film Amreeka
Amreeka
Amreeka is a 2009 American/Canadian/Kuwaiti independent film written and directed by first-time director Cherien Dabis. It stars Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat, Yussuf Abu-Warda, Joseph Ziegler, and Miriam Smith....
and appeared in Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
's directorial debut Whip It alongside Ellen Page
Ellen Page
Ellen Philpotts-Page , known professionally as Ellen Page, is a Canadian actress. Page received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her role as the title character in the film Juno...
. In 2010, she appeared in The Runaways
The Runaways (film)
The Runaways is a 2010 American biographical film about the 1970s all-girl rock band of the same name. The film was written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, who based the screenplay on the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by the band's original lead vocalist Cherie Currie...
, a biographical movie about the band
The Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
of the same name, playing a fictional version of the band's bassist.
In 2009, Shawkat appeared in Whip It co-star Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar
Sean Matthew Tillmann , better known by his stage names of Har Mar Superstar and Sean Na Na, is an American singer.-Life and career:...
's music video for "Tall Boy", which also featured Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes is an American actress.She began acting in the late 1990s, and after a series of minor roles and performances in several smaller films such as Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror and Urban Legends: Final Cut , she broke into the mainstream, appearing in leading roles in Hollywood...
and Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim is an American actor, comedian, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric. Wareheim, along with Tim Heidecker, created the television shows Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and Check It Out! with Dr...
. In October 2009, it was announced that Shawkat, Har Mar, and fellow Whip It co-star Page would produce and write a show for HBO called Stitch N' Bitch. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show "follows two painfully cool hipster girls as they relocate from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
's Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint to the north, Bedford-Stuyvesant to the south, Bushwick to the east and the East River to the west. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 1. The neighborhood is served by the NYPD's 90th ...
neighborhood to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
' Silver Lake
Silver Lake
-Cities and towns:*Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California*Silver Lake, San Bernardino County, California, a ghost town*Helendale, California, also known as Silver Lakes*Plasse, California, formerly known as Silver Lake, in Amador County, California...
enclave in hopes of becoming artists – of any kind."
Shawkat, along with Arrested Development co-star Mae Whitman
Mae Whitman
Mae Margaret Whitman is an American television, movie and voice actress. She is known for her role as Ann Veal in the TV series Arrested Development, her role as Amber on the TV series Parenthood, her role as Roxy Richter in Scott Pilgrim vs...
, sang guest vocals on a number of tracks from indie-punk band Fake Problems
Fake Problems
Fake Problems is a four-piece American rock band from Naples, Florida. They released their first album Spurs and Spokes. They released their second album, How Far Our Bodies Go, on Sabot Productions on April 27, 2007. Their third record, It's Great to Be Alive, was released through Side One Dummy...
' newest album Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
Real Ghosts Caught On Tape is the third full length album from beach punk band Fake Problems. It released on September 21, 2010 and is their second release for Side One Dummy since joining the label in November 2008...
.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | JAG JAG (TV series) JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions... |
Young Mac | 1 Episode |
| Three Kings | Amir's Daughter | ||
| 2000 | Dee | TV film | |
| 2002 | State of Grace | Young Hannah Rayburn | 9 Episodes |
| Presidio Med Presidio Med Presidio Med is an American Television series which aired 2002–2003, centering around a San Francisco hospital. It was created by John Wells and Lydia Woodward, who also created ER.-Series premise:... |
Tara Wegman | 1 Episode | |
| 2003 | Without a Trace Without a Trace Without a Trace is an American television drama which originally ran on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009. The series was set in New York City and concerned a fictitious FBI Missing Persons Unit.-Premise:... |
Siobhan Arintero | 1 Episode |
| Boomtown | Denise Stein | 1 Episode | |
| Arrested Development | Mae "Maeby" Fünke | 2003–2006, 53 Episodes | |
| 2005 | Rebound | Amy | |
| Queen of Cactus Cove Queen of Cactus Cove - Plot summary :Teenage chess champ Billie faces the prospect of defeat for the first time when she faces her best friend at the biggest chess tournament of her career.- Cast :*Alia Shawkat as Billie*Alex Frost as Achak... |
Billie | ||
| Last Call with Carson Daly Last Call with Carson Daly Last Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m.... |
Herself | 1 Episode | |
| Blow Out Blow Out (TV series) Blow Out was a reality television series that first premiered on the Bravo cable television network in 2004, with a second season broadcasting in 2005. The first season revolved around the construction and launch of Jonathan Salon in Beverly Hills, an upscale Los Angeles hair salon... |
Herself | 1 Episode | |
| 2006 | Veronica Mars Veronica Mars Veronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series premiered on September 22, 2004, during television network UPN's final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, The CW Television Network. Veronica Mars was produced by Warner Bros... |
Stacy Wells | 1 Episode |
| Not Like Everyone Else Not Like Everyone Else Not Like Everyone Else is a 2006 TV movie that aired on Lifetime Television and starred Alia Shawkat, Illeana Douglas & Eric Schweig. It is based on a true story of events that happened to Brandi Blackbear in 1999-2000.-Plot:... |
Brandi Blackbear | TV Film | |
| Deck the Halls Deck the Halls (film) Deck the Halls is a 2006 family comedy film set during the Christmas season in Massachusetts. It stars Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, and Kristin Chenoweth and is directed by John Whitesell.- Plot :... |
Madison Finch | ||
| 2007 | Screenwriting Manicurist | 2 Episodes | |
| 2008 | Charlotte | TV Film | |
| Bart Got a Room Bart Got a Room Bart Got a Room is a 2009 comedy film written and directed by Brian Hecker, and stars Steven Kaplan, Alia Shawkat, William H. Macy, and Cheryl Hines. Also appearing in the film are Ashley Benson, Brandon Hardesty, Kate Micucci, Jennifer Tilly, Dinah Manoff and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. The film... |
Camille | ||
| Prom Wars Prom Wars Prom Wars is a comedy featuring Ricky Ullman, Alia Shawkat, Rachelle Lefèvre, and Nicolas Wright.- Cast :*Ricky Ullman as Percy Collins*Alia Shawkat as Diana Riggs*Rachelle Lefèvre as Sabina*Nicolas Wright as Joseph*Kevin Coughlin as Geoffrey... |
Diana Riggs | ||
| Robin | 3 Episodes | ||
| 2009 | Amreeka Amreeka Amreeka is a 2009 American/Canadian/Kuwaiti independent film written and directed by first-time director Cherien Dabis. It stars Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem, Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat, Yussuf Abu-Warda, Joseph Ziegler, and Miriam Smith.... |
Salma | |
| Whip It | Pash | ||
| Arrested Development Documentary Project | Herself | ||
| Made in Hollywood | Herself | 1 Episode | |
| Sundance Directors Lab | Herself | 1 Episode | |
| 2010 | Robin | ||
| The League The League The League is an American sitcom that premiered on FX on October 29, 2009. The series, set in Chicago, is a semi-improvised comedy about a fantasy football league, its members, and their everyday lives.-Synopsis:... |
April | 1 Episode | |
| Seven | Post-production | ||
| 2011 | Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids (film) Cedar Rapids is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Miguel Arteta. The script, written by Phil Johnston, was included on the 2009 Blacklist, a Hollywood list of the most popular unproduced screenplays of the year.-Plot:... |
Bree | |
| Vanessa | Filming | ||
| "Our Deal" | Best Coast Best Coast Best Coast is an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California, and is often categorized under the subgenres of garage rock, surf pop, and lo-fi. The band currently consists of Bethany Cosentino, who writes all of the band's songs and fronts the group, multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, ... music video |
||
External links
- Alia Shawkat at TV.comTV.comTV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...
- Alia Shawkat (TV IV)
- Interview by Brian M. Palmer