Summer Lyn Glau (born July 24, 1981) is an American
actressAn actor or actress is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and dancer, known for playing River Tam in the
science fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically-established or scientifically-postulated laws of nature...
series
FireflyFirefly is an American space western television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, under his Mutant Enemy Productions. Its naturalistic future setting, modeled after traditional Western movie motifs, has been praised as an "oddball genre mix"...
and follow-up movie
SerenitySerenity is a 2005 space western film written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is considered a continuation of the cancelled Fox science fiction television series Firefly, taking place after the events of the final episode. Set 510 years in the future, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew...
, and for playing Cameron in the series
Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures. It is a spin-off from the Terminator series of films...
.
Glau was born in San Antonio,
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
, where she grew up with her two younger sisters, Christie and Kaitlin. She is of
Scots-IrishScotch-Irish or Scots-Irish refers to inhabitants of the United States and, by some, of Canada who are of Ulster Scottish descent. The term may be qualified with American as in "Scotch-Irish American" or "American of Scots-Irish ancestry"...
and
GermanGerman Americans are Americans of German descent. They form the largest self-reported ancestry group in the United States, outnumbering the Irish and English. They account for 50 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population...
descent. Her mother is a schoolteacher and her father a general contractor.
Glau received a scholarship to a ballet company and was home-schooled from grades 3 to 12 to accommodate her ballet training.
Summer Lyn Glau (born July 24, 1981) is an American
actressAn actor or actress is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and dancer, known for playing River Tam in the
science fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction. It differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically-established or scientifically-postulated laws of nature...
series
FireflyFirefly is an American space western television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, under his Mutant Enemy Productions. Its naturalistic future setting, modeled after traditional Western movie motifs, has been praised as an "oddball genre mix"...
and follow-up movie
SerenitySerenity is a 2005 space western film written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is considered a continuation of the cancelled Fox science fiction television series Firefly, taking place after the events of the final episode. Set 510 years in the future, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew...
, and for playing Cameron in the series
Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures. It is a spin-off from the Terminator series of films...
.
Early life
Glau was born in San Antonio,
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
, where she grew up with her two younger sisters, Christie and Kaitlin. She is of
Scots-IrishScotch-Irish or Scots-Irish refers to inhabitants of the United States and, by some, of Canada who are of Ulster Scottish descent. The term may be qualified with American as in "Scotch-Irish American" or "American of Scots-Irish ancestry"...
and
GermanGerman Americans are Americans of German descent. They form the largest self-reported ancestry group in the United States, outnumbering the Irish and English. They account for 50 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population...
descent. Her mother is a schoolteacher and her father a general contractor.
Glau received a scholarship to a ballet company and was home-schooled from grades 3 to 12 to accommodate her ballet training. Glau was classically trained as a
balletBallet is a formalized type of performance dance, which originated in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century French courts, and which was further developed in England, Italy, and Russia as a concert dance form...
dancer and also studied
tangoTango is a musical genre and its associated dance forms that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, and spread to the rest of the world soon after.Early tango was known as tango criollo, or simply tango...
and
flamencoFlamenco is a Spanish musical genre with origins in Andalusia. It can be both a musical form, known for its intricate rapid passages, and a dance characterized by audible footwork. The origins of the term are unclear...
. After a serious ankle injury ended her dancing career, Glau took time off from dancing to visit friends in
Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the municipality 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...
, where she auditioned for several television commercials. Glau later moved to Los Angeles in 2002 to pursue a more active acting career.
Career
Glau's first television credit was a guest role as a ballerina on the 2002 episode "Waiting in the Wings" (episode 3x13) of the television series
AngelAngel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
. There she caught the eye of director
Joss WhedonJoseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American director, executive producer, occasional actor, and creator and head writer of the television programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse...
, who later cast her in his short-lived TV series
FireflyFirefly is an American space western television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, under his Mutant Enemy Productions. Its naturalistic future setting, modeled after traditional Western movie motifs, has been praised as an "oddball genre mix"...
as River Tam, a role she reprised for the show's feature film sequel,
SerenitySerenity is a 2005 space western film written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is considered a continuation of the cancelled Fox science fiction television series Firefly, taking place after the events of the final episode. Set 510 years in the future, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew...
. Glau previously auditioned for the role as a Pink Ranger on one of the
Power RangersPower Rangers is an American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes. First produced by Saban Entertainment and later by BVS Entertainment, the premise for the series originated from the Japanese tokusatsu...
series before meeting Joss Whedon.
Glau appeared on the episode "Love Conquers Al" (1x06) of the
TV seriesA television program , television programme , or television show is a segment of content broadcast on television...
Cold CaseCold Case is an American police procedural television series which premiered on September 28, 2003 on CBS. The series revolves around a fictionalized Philadelphia Police Department division in Pennsylvania that specializes in investigating cold cases. The series currently airs in syndication on TNT...
. She had a small role in the film
SleepoverSleepover is a 2004 teen film directed by Joe Nussbaum and starring Alexa Vega.-Plot summary:In the summer before their freshman year in high school, Julie has a sleepover in order to celebrate their rising to freshman year and to spend one last night with Hannah , her best friend who's moving to...
, in which she played a
high school seniorAs part of education in the United States, secondary education usually covers grades 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 through 12.-Historical Impact of Secondary Education in the United States:...
named Shelly. She also appeared in the
CSICSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
episode "
What's Eating Gilbert Grissom?"What's Eating Gilbert Grissom?" is the sixth episode from the fifth season of the American crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, set in Las Vegas, Nevada...
," and the second season of
The UnitThe Unit is an American action-drama television series that focuses on a top-secret military unit modeled after the real-life Delta Force. The series originally aired on CBS from March 7, 2006, to May 10, 2009.-Production:...
; portraying
Crystal BurnsCrystal Burns is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Unit. She is portrayed by American actress Summer Glau. Crystal's boyfriend is Jeremy Erhart. When Jeremy is injured on the job, Crystal is unable to cope. This leads to a one night stand with Mack Gerhardt, after they met up...
, the girlfriend of
Jeremy ErhartJeremy Erhart is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Unit. He is portrayed by Daniel Wisler.Jeremy was a member of the units signal squadron until recruited by Molly Blane to join Blackthorn as a driver. While on a mission in Algeria Jeremy's convoy is involved in an attack that...
. In 2006, Glau played
Tess DoernerTess Doerner is a fictional character on the USA Network science fiction television series The 4400, played by Summer Glau.-Season Two:Tess is first seen in the second season premiere episode "Wake Up Call", a paranoid schizophrenic living in a psychiatric hospital...
, a
paranoidParanoia is a thought process heavily influenced by excessive anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs concerning a perceived threat towards oneself. In the original Greek, παράνοια simply means madness...
schizophrenicSchizophrenia , from the Greek roots skhizein and phrēn, phren- is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality...
returnee in the second season premiere of
The 4400The 4400 is a science fiction TV series produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Sky Television, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network. The show was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria, and it stars Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie...
(episode "
Wake-Up Call"Wake Up Call" is an episode of the science fiction television series The 4400.- Synopsis :Tom and Diana investigate a 4400 who is influencing the creation of a super-structure.- Part 1 :...
"), and became an essential recurring character from Season 3 onwards. She also starred in the
science fiction filmScience fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that aren't necessarily accepted by mainstream science. such as extra-terrestrial life forms, alien worlds, and time travel, often along with technological elements such as futuristic...
MammothMammoth is a 2006 feature film directed by Tim Cox and produced by Plinyminor in association with the Sci Fi Channel starring Vincent Ventresca, Summer Glau, Leila Arcieri and Tom Skerritt...
. Glau was cast in the
ABC FamilyABC Family is an American cable television network currently owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a division of The Walt Disney Company. ABC Family offers contemporary and inclusive programming, including series, movies, events, and enhanced ABC encore presentations...
TV movie
The Initiation of Sarah.
In
Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures. It is a spin-off from the Terminator series of films...
, a series that debuted January 13, 2008, Glau plays the role of Cameron Phillips, a Terminator infiltration unit sent back to protect
John ConnorJohn Connor is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Terminator science fiction franchise. In a fictional post-apocalyptic future first referred to in The Terminator, powerful, intelligent machines have dedicated themselves to the eradication of humanity, and John Connor is the...
and Sarah Connor from Skynet. The seventh episode of the series, "The Demon Hand," included several scenes in which Glau (in character as Cameron) dances ballet. Glau also guest starred as herself in episode seventeen of the second season of
The Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created and executive produced by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. It premiered on CBS September 24, 2007....
; the show's geek quartet were star-struck by her for her science fiction acting credentials, particularly mentioning role as Cameron.
On August 26, 2009, it was confirmed after much speculation that Glau would be joining the cast of Joss Whedon's
DollhouseDollhouse is an American science fiction television series created by writer-director Joss Whedon under Mutant Enemy Productions. The show premiered on February 13, 2009 on the Fox network...
for at least two episodes in the early part of the show's second season. She will portray Bennett, the programmer for a rival Dollhouse.
Personal life
Summer Glau has been involved in a number of charities, such as
B.C. Women's Hospital & Health CentreBC Women's Hospital & Health Centre is a Canadian hospital located in Vancouver, British Columbia, specializing in women’s health programs. It is the only facility in Western Canada dedicated to the health of women, newborns and families, and is the largest maternity hospital in the country...
where she autographed several teddy bears to be sold on eBay to help raise money for the Hospital. Glau is an animal lover and has shown support to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, where she hand-painted a decorative pet bowl that was later sold on eBay to raise funds. She was also a vegetarian from 1995 to 2005.
Filmography
| Year | | Title | | Role | Notes |
|---|
| 2002 The year 2002 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2002.For the American TV schedule, see: 2002-03 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
|
AngelAngel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
|
Prima Ballerina |
Television episode "Waiting in the Wings "Waiting in the Wings" is the thirteenth episode of season 3 in the television show Angel. Written and directed by series creator Joss Whedon, it was originally broadcast on February 4, 2002 on the WB network...
"
|
AndromedaGene Roddenberry's Andromeda was a Canadian/American science fiction television series, based on unused material by the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, developed by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and produced by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Roddenberry. It starred Kevin Sorbo as High Guard Captain...
|
Shinta leader |
Television episode "In Heaven Now Are Three" |
FireflyFirefly is an American space western television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, under his Mutant Enemy Productions. Its naturalistic future setting, modeled after traditional Western movie motifs, has been praised as an "oddball genre mix"...
|
River Tam |
Television series, star, 14 episodes |
| 2003 The year 2003 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2003.For the American TV schedule, see: 2003-04 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
|
Cold CaseCold Case is an American police procedural television series which premiered on September 28, 2003 on CBS. The series revolves around a fictionalized Philadelphia Police Department division in Pennsylvania that specializes in investigating cold cases. The series currently airs in syndication on TNT...
|
Paige Pratt |
Television episode "Love Conquers Al"
|
| 2004 The year 2004 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2004.For the American TV schedule, see: 2004-05 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
|
Sleepover |
Ticket Girl |
Feature film |
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
|
Mandy Cooper |
Television episode "What's Eating Gilbert Grissom? "What's Eating Gilbert Grissom?" is the sixth episode from the fifth season of the American crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, set in Las Vegas, Nevada...
"
|
| 2005 The year 2005 in film saw many new films released worldwide, including several major mainstream sequels, prequels, and remakes as well as original films.-Top–grossing films:...
|
SerenitySerenity is a 2005 space western film written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is considered a continuation of the cancelled Fox science fiction television series Firefly, taking place after the events of the final episode. Set 510 years in the future, Serenity is the story of the captain and crew...
|
River Tam |
Feature film, star |
| 2006 The year 2006 in film saw many new films released worldwide, including several major mainstream sequels, prequels, and remakes as well as original films.-Top grossing films:...
|
Mammoth Mammoth is a 2006 feature film directed by Tim Cox and produced by Plinyminor in association with the Sci Fi Channel starring Vincent Ventresca, Summer Glau, Leila Arcieri and Tom Skerritt...
|
Jack |
Television film |
| The Initiation of Sarah |
Lindsey Goodwin |
Television film |
| 2006 The year 2006 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2006.For the American TV schedule, see: 2006-07 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:*In Justice...
-2007The year 2007 in television involves some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2007.-January–March:-April–June:-July–September:-October–December:-Debuts:-Television shows:-1950s:...
|
The UnitThe Unit is an American action-drama television series that focuses on a top-secret military unit modeled after the real-life Delta Force. The series originally aired on CBS from March 7, 2006, to May 10, 2009.-Production:...
|
Crystal Burns Crystal Burns is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Unit. She is portrayed by American actress Summer Glau. Crystal's boyfriend is Jeremy Erhart. When Jeremy is injured on the job, Crystal is unable to cope. This leads to a one night stand with Mack Gerhardt, after they met up...
|
Television episodes:
"Extreme Rendition,"
"Force Majeure,"
"Report by Exception,"
"The Broom Cupboard,"
"Johnny B. Good,"
"The Water is Wide,"
"Outsiders"
|
The 4400The 4400 is a science fiction TV series produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Sky Television, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network. The show was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria, and it stars Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie...
|
Tess Doerner Tess Doerner is a fictional character on the USA Network science fiction television series The 4400, played by Summer Glau.-Season Two:Tess is first seen in the second season premiere episode "Wake Up Call", a paranoid schizophrenic living in a psychiatric hospital...
|
Television episodes:
"Wake Up Call"Wake Up Call" is an episode of the science fiction television series The 4400.- Synopsis :Tom and Diana investigate a 4400 who is influencing the creation of a super-structure.- Part 1 :...
,"
"The Ballad of Kevin and Tess,"
"Terrible Swift SwordTerrible Swift Sword is an episode of the science fiction television series The 4400.- Synopsis :Jordan Collier goes public about his "resurrection," and summons a 4400 with a tracking ability to find Kevin Burkhoff and Tess Doerner, who are still at large...
,"
"Fifty-Fifty,"
"The Wrath of Graham"The Wrath of Graham" is the first episode of season four of the science fiction television series The 4400. The episode aired June 17, 2007 on the USA Network...
,"
"Daddy's Little Girl"Daddy's Little Girl" is the ninth episode of season four of the science fiction television series The 4400. The episode aired on August 12, 2007 on the USA Network.- Synopsis :...
,"
"Ghost in the Machine"Ghost in the Machine" is the eleventh episode of season four of the science fiction television series The 4400. The episode aired on August 26, 2007 on the USA Network.- Synopsis :...
,"
"Tiny Machines"Tiny Machines" is the twelfth episode of season four of the science fiction television series The 4400. The episode aired on September 9, 2007 on the USA Network.- Synopsis :...
"
|
| 2008 The year 2008 in television involved some significant plans.Below is a list of television-related events in 2008.-Events:- Debuts :-Television shows:, ,-1950s:*Hallmark Hall of Fame...
- 2009 |
Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures. It is a spin-off from the Terminator series of films...
|
Cameron Phillips / Allison Young |
Television series, starring
Tied with Elizabeth MitchellElizabeth Mitchell is an American actress who is best known for her role as Dr. Juliet Burke on the ABC TV series Lost.- Life and career :...
in winning the Saturn Award for Best Television Supporting Actress for portrayal of "Cameron". |
| 2009 |
The Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created and executive produced by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. It premiered on CBS September 24, 2007....
|
Herself |
Television series, guest starring |
DollhouseDollhouse is an American science fiction television series created by writer-director Joss Whedon under Mutant Enemy Productions. The show premiered on February 13, 2009 on the Fox network...
|
Bennet Halverson |
Television series : recurring role |
Awards
Glau was voted Best Actress of 2005 by readers of
SFX magazineSFX is a British magazine devoted to science fiction and fantasy subjects, especially media-related topics, but not containing fiction. It is published every four weeks, and is the best-selling title of its type in Europe....
and received a 2005
Saturn AwardThe Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. The Saturn Awards were devised by Dr. Donald A. Reed in 1972, who felt that films within...
for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in
Serenity. She was also runner up for
Best Actress/Movie in the
SyFy Genre Awards for 2006.
In 2008, she received the Best Supporting Television Actress award at the
34th Saturn AwardsThe 34th Saturn Awards, honoring the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror film and television in 2007 were presented in June 2008.Below is a complete list of nominees and winners...
for her performance as Cameron Phillips in
Terminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures. It is a spin-off from the Terminator series of films...
, and was nominated for the Spike TV
Scream AwardsThe Spike TV Scream Awards is an award show dedicated to the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres of feature films. The show was created by executive producers Michael Levitt, Cindy Levitt, and Casey Patterson.-2006 Nominees/Winners:...
in the category
Best Actress in a Science Fiction Movie or TV Show for the same role.
External links