Ashley Spillers
Ashley Spillers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ashley Rae Spillers Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 2008–present |
Ashley Rae Spillers is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her film roles as Elizabeth in the 2013 comedy film Last Vegas (2013), Amy in the 2014 neo-noir thriller film Two Step (2014) and Olivia in the Netflix comedy film Father of the Year (2018).
Her television roles include Janice Swift in the HBO television series Vice Principals (2016–2017), Sydney Jones in the drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles (2017–2019), Emily in the television series Distance (2018), and Huggins in the comic science fiction web series Red vs. Blue (2018–2019).
Her voice roles include Didi Pickles in the 2021 revival animated series Rugrats[1] and Jill in Muppet Babies.
Early life
[edit]Spillers was born in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Sugar Land and she didn't become involved in theatre until she was either 11 or 12 years old.[2]
She became influenced by the works made by famous celebrities, such as Holly Hunter for Broadcast News, Frances McDormand for Fargo, Mississippi Burning and Miller's Crossing, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Paxton for Apollo 13, Tom Hanks for Forrest Gump, Dianne Wiest, Toni Collette, Tom Cruise for Top Gun, A Few Good Men and Mission: Impossible, Bruce Willis for Die Hard and Armageddon, Bette Midler for Hocus Pocus, Cuba Gooding Jr. for Jerry Maguire, Jerry Orbach for Law & Order and Diane Keaton.[2]
She took children's acting classes in Houston at the Town & Country Playhouse with actress Barbara Lasater.[2] In 2004, she graduated from Kempner High School.[3]
Career
[edit]In 2009, she made her debut when she played the title character in the short film Adaline. In 2012, she played Nancy in her first leading role in the film Saturday Morning Mystery and voiced Sarah Steele in the video game Pirate101.
In 2013, she appeared as Tracy in the film Dear Sidewalk,[4] and Elizabeth in the comedy film Last Vegas, featuring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline and Morgan Freeman. In 2014, Spillers played Amy in the thriller film Two Step and Julie in the film Arlo and Julie.[5]
She made guest appearances on television shows, including The Middle, Driving Arizona, American Woman and Splitting Up Together.
From 2016 to 2017, she played Janice Swift in the HBO drama television series Vice Principals, for 14 episodes. From 2017 to 2019, she played Sydney Jones, the sister of Renée Felice Smith's character, in the drama series NCIS: Los Angeles.[6] From 2018 to 2019, she played Huggins in the science fiction web series Red vs. Blue, for 13 episodes.
In 2021, Spillers succeeded Melanie Chartoff as the voice of Didi Pickles in the Paramount+ reboot television series Rugrats.[7][8][9][10]
Personal life
[edit]In her interview for San Francisco News, she said: "I watched so many movies, and I was influenced by everyone I watched in a way. Every actor is so different, each bringing something unique to the table, so for a long time I don’t think I played favorites, I just soaked everything in, and went on that ride, along for the story they were telling. Judy Garland was someone I watched over and over, in The Wizard of Oz of course. And that woman was ahead of her time, I guess. Who am I to say that, but, I guess I mean, I watch her now, and her performances are so raw and human and real. I don’t know that I truly understood that as a kid, but I sure do now. She was special. I mean, A Star is Born? So good. Sigourney Weaver made an impression on me as Diane [sic] Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist. Her work in that is fierce, and she told Fossey’s story in a beautiful way. She also instilled in me, from such a tiny age, a real love of gorillas, and an interest and dedication to them remaining on this planet. That's something I think every actor aims to do through their work, make a difference somehow, and she did for me. And now I care very deeply for and have come to know the struggle of a species that otherwise I might have not."[2]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Adaline | Adaline | Short film |
| 2011 | Wanted | Officer Spillers | Short film |
| 2011 | Slacker 2011 | Recluse's Girlfriend | |
| 2012 | Magpie | Maggie | Short film Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2012 | Saturday Morning Mystery | Nancy | Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2012 | The Man from Orlando | Bikini Girl | |
| 2012 | Orbit | Audrey | Short film |
| 2013 | Pit Stop | Waitress | Uncredited |
| 2013 | Loves Her Gun | Xoe | Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2013 | Love & Air Sex | Ellie | |
| 2013 | Hell No | Spring Break Girl #1 | Short film |
| 2013 | Zero Charisma | Sarah | |
| 2013 | Hearts of Napalm | Ashley | Short film |
| 2013 | The Bystander Theory | Sheila | |
| 2013 | Last Vegas | Elizabeth | |
| 2014 | Co-Ed Campfire Carnage | Tanya (Freaky Friday 13) | |
| 2014 | Two Step | Amy | Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2014 | Arlo and Julie | Julie | |
| 2014 | Tom: Monologue | Tom | Short film |
| 2015 | I'll See You in My Dreams | Vitamins Store Clerk | |
| 2015 | +/- | Ashley | Short film |
| 2015 | The Love Inside | Gemma | |
| 2016 | War Dogs | Rosen's Wife | |
| 2016 | The Meaning of Christmas (Cookies) | Short film | |
| 2017 | Dr. Brinks & Dr. Brinks | Alex Brinks | |
| 2017 | Inheritance | Allie Bowman | |
| 2018 | Harpy Gee | Opal, Pumpkin, Baby Snail | Voice, short film |
| 2018 | Fetish | Carrie | Short film |
| 2018 | Ringu: Meme Origins | Rachel | Short film |
| 2018 | Don't Be a Hero | Samantha | Short film |
| 2018 | Father of the Year | Olivia | |
| 2020 | Keep Hope Alive | Terry | |
| 2020 | Glenda Goes Quiet | Glenda | Short film |
| 2020 | The Very Last Interview | Interviewer | Short film |
| 2020 | Authentic Personalities | Allie | Short film |
| 2021 | Bits and Pieces | Short film | |
| 2023 | Foil | Gina The Bartender | Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | American Experience | Gerta S. Brown | Episode: "War of the Worlds" Television documentary series |
| 2015 | Weird Loners | Kayla | Episode: "Weird Dance" |
| 2016 | Driving Arizona | Sarah Landry | Episode: "Dedication, Commitment, Perseverance, Perspiration" |
| 2016–2017 | Vice Principals | Janice Swift | 14 episodes |
| 2016 | Maron | Carla | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | The Middle | Hannah | Episode: "Pitch Imperfect" |
| 2017–2019 | NCIS: Los Angeles | HSS Sydney Jones | 3 episodes Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2018 | Distance | Emily | 9 episodes |
| 2018 | American Woman | Leslie-Anne | Episode: "Jack" |
| 2018–2019 | Red vs. Blue | Huggins | Voice, 13 episodes Credited as A.R. Spillers |
| 2018 | Splitting Up Together | Holly | Episode: "Yes, Deer" Credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2021–present | Rugrats[11] | Didi Pickles[12][13][14] | Voice, credited as Ashley Rae Spillers |
| 2021–2022 | Muppet Babies | Jill the Frog | Voice, recurring role |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Pirate101 | Sarah Steele |
References
[edit]- ^ Avalos, Regina (March 20, 2021). "Rugrats: Grown-Up Voice Actors Announced for Paramount+ Revival Series". www.tvseriesfinale.com. TV Series Finale. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c d St. John, Michael (December 11, 2014). "Ashley Spillers Lady On The Move". www.thesfnews.com. The San Francisco News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ Haines, Don (November 4, 2013). "Kempner grad stars in film with Oscar winners". www.chron.com. Chron. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Stoddard, Elizabeth (October 23, 2013). "AFF Interview: Ashley Spillers of 'Dear Sidewalk' Remembers Her Sunscreen". www.slackerwood.com. Slackerwood. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Levin, Jennifer (May 9, 2015). "Movie Review: "Arlo & Julie"". www.santafenewmexican.com. Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Stein, Megan (March 24, 2019). "'NCIS LA' Is Bringing Back Someone From Nell Jones's Past". www.countryliving.com. Country Living. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Hullender, Tatiana (May 26, 2021). "Ashley Spillers & Tommy Dewey Interview: Rugrats". www.screenrant.com. Screen Rant. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Schwartz, Ryan (March 16, 2021). "Rugrats Reboot Recasts Parents With Veep Trio; 3 OG Characters MIA". www.tvline.com. TV Line. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Cap, Damon (March 29, 2021). "Nickelodeon's Upcoming Rugrats Series Getting Voices". www.bcskids.com. BCS Kids. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Zachary, Brandon (June 2, 2021). "Rugrats Voice Cast Jumped At Getting "Back On The Tricycle" for Paramount+'s Revival". www.cbr.com. CBR. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Baysinger, Tim (March 18, 2021). "'Rugrats' Revival Adds 9 to Voice Cast to Play the Grown-Ups". www.thewrap.com. The Wrap. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Spelling, Ian (June 2, 2021). "'Rugrats' Actors Talk About the "Multi-Generational" Power of the Nickelodeon Babies". www.fatherly.com. Fatherly. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Davis-Friedman, Samantha (March 22, 2021). "Nickelodeon announces all-star voice talent for 'Rugrats' on Paramount+". www.attractionsmagazine.com. Attractions Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ "Paramount+ to premier the 3D animated series 'Rugrats' this May". www.animationxpress.com. Animation Xpress. May 6, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.