Amanda Brugel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amanda Brugel
Amanda Brugel at the 2017 CFC Annual BBQ Fundraiser (37026258601) (cropped).jpg
Brugel in 2017
Born (1978-03-24) March 24, 1978 (age 43)
Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada
Alma materYork University
OccupationActress
Years active1999–present

Amanda Brugel (born March 24, 1978) is a Canadian actress. She made her acting debut in the drama film Vendetta (1999). This was followed by roles in the comedy film A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), the slasher horror film Jason X (2001), the comedy film Sex After Kids (2013), for which she won an ACTRA Award for Best Female Performance, the satirical drama film Maps to the Stars (2014), the independent drama film Room (2015), the superhero film Suicide Squad (2016), the drama film Kodachrome (2017), and the action thriller film Becky (2020).

Brugel starred as Lynnie Jordan in the Showcase soap opera Paradise Falls (2008), Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series Seed (2013–2014), Marci Coates in the Space science fiction series Orphan Black (2015), Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series Kim's Convenience (2016–2021), and Rita in the Hulu dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale (2017–present). In 2021, Brugel joined the judging panel of the second season of Canada's Drag Race.[1]

Early life[]

Brugel was born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec.[2][3] Her mother is English, and immigrated to Canada, while her biological father, who she never met, is African-American. Her mother would later marry a man of South Asian or Southeast Asian and Jewish descent. He would adopt Brugel, and she has stated that she considers him her father.[4][5]

She started out as a dancer, but quit when she grew to be taller than her partners.[6] She entered the renowned Theatre Program at York University with a Fine Arts talent scholarship, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000.[7]

Career[]

In 1999, Brugel made her acting debut in the HBO drama film Vendetta, alongside Christopher Walken.[8] In 2000, she had a role in A Diva's Christmas Carol, a Christmas television film starring Vanessa Williams, Rozonda Thomas, and Kathy Griffin.[9] She made her feature film debut as Geko in the slasher horror film Jason X (2001)[10] and starred in the horror television film Kaw (2007).[11]

Brugel appeared in guest or recurring roles in several television series, including Soul Food (2001), Wild Card (2004), Kojak (2005), Kevin Hill (2005), The Newsroom (2005), Paradise Falls (2008), MVP (2008), Saving Hope (2012), Flashpoint (2012), Nikita (2013), and Covert Affairs (2013).[8][11]

In 2013, she earned critical praise for her starring role as Vanessa in the comedy film Sex After Kids.[12] For her performance, she received an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance,[13] and a nomination for a Canadian Comedy Award.[14] From 2013 to 2014, she starred as Michelle Krasnoff in the Citytv comedy series Seed.[8][15]

In 2014, Brugel appeared in David Cronenberg's satirical drama film Maps to the Stars, alongside Julianne Moore,[16] and the crime thriller film The Calling, alongside Susan Sarandon.[17] In 2015, she portrayed Marci Coates in several episodes of the Space science fiction series Orphan Black.[18] That same year, she appeared as Officer Parker in the independent drama film Room, which earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Motion Picture.[16][19]

In 2016, she appeared in the superhero film Suicide Squad.[20] That same year, she began a recurring role as Pastor Nina Gomez in the CBC comedy series Kim's Convenience, for which she received the Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Performance, Comedy.[21] In 2017, she appeared in the Netflix drama film Kodachrome.[22]

Brugel had recurring roles as Sita Petronelli in the USA Network drama series Eyewitness (2016)[23] and as Sonia in the CBC comedy series Workin' Moms (2018), for which she was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, Comedy.[24]

Since 2017, Brugel has starred as a housekeeper named Rita, in the Hulu dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's acclaimed novel of the same name.[25] As a part of the cast, she has received three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.[26]

From 2019 to 2020, Brugel had a recurring role as Faith Hanlon in the USA Network teen drama series Dare Me.[27] In 2020, she appeared as Eugenia in multiple episodes of the TNT post-apocalyptic drama series Snowpiercer, which is an adaptation of the film of the same name.[28] Also that year, Brugel starred as Kayla in the action thriller film Becky.[24][29]

In 2020, Brugel appeared as a panelist on Canada Reads, advocating for Samra Habib's memoir We Have Always Been Here.[30] She successfully defended the memoir and won the competition.[31]

On June 29, 2021, it was announced that Brugel, along with Brad Goreski, would join the judging panel of Canada's Drag Race for its sophomore season after season one judges Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Stacey McKenzie announced their departures in March and June 2021 respectively. Alongside Goreski and main judge Brooke Lynn Hytes, Brugel will serve as a rotating judge with Traci Melchor.[1]

Personal life[]

Brugel has two children from her previous marriage to Marcel Lewis.[32][33]

In 2013, Brugel founded Brugs Army, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of women and children.[34][35]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Jason X Geko
2002 Jack & Ella Elizabeth
2004 The Prince & Me Yoga Instructor
2007 Kaw Emma
2009 The Death of Alice Blue Amanda
2013 Sex After Kids Vanessa
2013 Treading Water Nurse
2014 Maps to the Stars Star! Channel Interviewer
2014 The Calling Officer Vongarner
2015 Room Officer Parker
2016 Suicide Squad National Security Council
2016 Sadie's Last Days on Earth Detention Teacher
2017 Kodachrome Doctor
2018 Emmy Emmy Short film
2019 Marie Celeste Marie Celeste Short film
2020 Becky Kayla
2020 Flashback Evelyn
2020 Sugar Daddy Nancy
2021 Like a House on Fire Audrey

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Vendetta Red Lantern Lady Television film
2000 A Diva's Christmas Carol Olivia Television film
2001 Soul Food Trixie Episode: "Everything Is Unfolding Perfectly"
2001 Leap Years Tamara Episode: "#1.4"
2001 Tracker Uniformed Officer Episode: "The Beast"
2002 The 5th Quadrant Cassandra Morgan Episode: "Wild Animal King/Divining Miss M"
2002 10,000 Black Men Named George Waitress Television film
2003 Beautiful Girl Connie Television film
2003 This Time Around Abby Television film
2004 Doc Sheree Episode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
2004 Category 6: Day of Destruction Leslie Singer Television film
2004 Wild Card Evelyn Episode: "Queen Bea"
2005 Devil's Perch Secretary Television film
2005 Kojak Theresa Episode: "All That Glitters"
2005 Kevin Hill Leanne Wheeden Episode: "Man's Best Friend"
2005 The Newsroom Nurse Episode: "Latent Homosexual Tendencies"
2006 G-Spot Maureen Episode: "Payne Killer"
2006 Naked Josh Toula Episode: "Planned Parenthood"
2006 This Is Wonderland Lucy Jamieson Episode: "#3.9"
2007 What If God Were the Sun? Lupe Television film
2008 Paradise Falls Lynnie Jordan 26 episodes
2008 MVP Megan Chandler 8 episodes
2008 Da Kink in My Hair Elize Episode: "Looks Can Be Revealing"
2010 Life Unjarred Kim 2 episodes
2011 InSecurity Amanda Episode: "The Spy, the Friend and Her Lover"
2012 The Firm Sonia Swain 3 episodes
2012 Saving Hope Lisa Rundel Episode: "Contact"
2012 Flashpoint Trish Episode: "Keep the Peace: Part 1"
2013 The Ron James Show Linda Lanning 2 episodes
2013 Warehouse 13 Amy Episode: "The Big Snag"
2013 Nikita Janet Malcolm Episode: "Til Death Do Us Part"
2013 Covert Affairs Olivia 5 episodes
2013–2014 Seed Michelle Krasnoff 26 episodes
2015 Orphan Black Marci Coates 5 episodes
2015 Dark Matter Keeley 2 episodes
2015 Charming Christmas Nadine Television film
2016 Love's Complicated Kate Television film
2016 You Got Trumped: The First 100 Days Kelly 5 episodes
2016–2021 Kim's Convenience Pastor Nina Gomez 20 episodes
2016 Eyewitness Sita Petronelli 6 episodes
2017 Sometimes the Good Kill Faith Television film[36]
2018 Workin' Moms Sonia 5 episodes
2017–present The Handmaid's Tale Rita 26 episodes
2019–2020 Dare Me Faith Hanlon 7 episodes
2020-2021 Snowpiercer Eugenia 5 episodes
2020 Canada's Drag Race Guest Host Episode: "Welcome to the Family"
2021 Pretty Hard Cases Karina Duff Episode: "Gliders"
2021 Canada's Drag Race Judge

Awards and nominations[]

Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2014 ACTRA Award Outstanding Performance – Female Sex After Kids Won [13]
Canadian Comedy Award Best Performance by a Female – Film Nominated [14]
2018 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Handmaid's Tale Nominated [37]
Gold Derby Award Ensemble of the Year Won [38]
2019 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [39]
Canadian Screen Award Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Workin' Moms Nominated [40]
2020 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Handmaid's Tale Nominated [41]
Canadian Screen Award Best Guest Performance, Comedy Kim's Convenience Won [21]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Joey Nolfi, "Canada's Drag Race season 2 adds new head judges amid panel shake-up". Entertainment Weekly, June 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Canadian actress, Amanda Brugel, becomes series regular on The Handmaid's Tale". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "Actress Amanda Brugel of Pointe Claire has major role in Handmaid's Tale". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  4. ^ "Canadian actress Amanda Brugel on culture, cinema and success". Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  5. ^ Amanda Brugel, "Amanda Brugel of The Handmaid’s Tale and Room Talks Race and Identity". Fashion, August 2, 2018.
  6. ^ Zekas, Rita; "She shoots, she scores . . .", Toronto Star, 12 January 2008 (retrieved 15 February 2015).
  7. ^ "Amanda Brugel Resume", AmandaBrugel.tv (retrieved 15 February 2015).
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c "ENTERTAINMENT - The Guest List talks to Seed, Covert Affairs actor Amanda Brugel". Toronto.com. June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  9. ^ Grove, Rashad (November 27, 2019). "12 Best Black Holiday Movies Of All Time". BET. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "Amanda Brugel on Instagram: ""Geko". Jason X. Friday the 13th part 10. My very first film (I was still in theatre school when this was shot). Happy Friday the Thirteenth everyone!! xxoo"". November 13, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Amanda Brugel List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Barnard, Linda (February 6, 2014). "Sex After Kids: No sex please, we're parents: Review". The Star. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b "Winners Announced: ACTRA Awards in Toronto 2014". Newswire. February 22, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "NOMINATIONS & AWARDS ARCHIVES". Canadian Comedy Awards. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  15. ^ "Most Beautiful 'Seed' star Amanda Brugel talks pregnancy on the red carpet". Hello Magazine. May 27, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b Ruta, Mike (February 5, 2017). "Whitby actor Amanda Brugel off to L.A. seeking more roles". Durham Region. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "The Calling - Colorado Springs Independent". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  18. ^ Yacovelle, Jess; "Amanda Brugel Joins the Cast of Orphan Black" Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, OrphanBlackFan.com, 9 November 2014 (retrieved 15 February 2015).
  19. ^ "Amanda Brugel on The Handmaid's Tale, fighting for good roles and rejecting stereotypes". CBC. August 27, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  20. ^ "The Host: Amanda Brugel - Erenstines". Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b Debra Yeo, "‘Cardinal’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ get multiple going-away gifts from the Canadian Screen Awards". Toronto Star, May 27, 2020.
  22. ^ Stanhope, Kate (August 17, 2017). "'The Handmaid's Tale' Promotes Amanda Brugel to Series Regular (Exclusive)". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  23. ^ Petski, Denise (April 12, 2016). "'Mistresses' Casts Micky Shiloah; Amanda Brugel Joins 'Eyewitness'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Amanda Brugel CBC Books". CBC. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  25. ^ "The Handmaid's Tale: Amanda Brugel Books Recurring Role on Hulu Series". TV Series Finale. 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  26. ^ Giliberti, Lucas (December 21, 2019). "Can 'The Handmaid's Tale' finally nab its maiden ensemble win at the SAG Awards?". Gold Derby. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  27. ^ Petski, Denise (August 7, 2019). "'Dare Me': Adrian Walters & Amanda Brugel To Recur In USA Network Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  28. ^ Allen, Corrina (April 3, 2020). "Yes, that's Canada's Amanda Brugel blowing up your TV screen". The Loop. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  29. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 27, 2019). "Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel & Robert Maillet Join Kevin James In 'Becky' Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Meet the Canada Reads 2020 contenders". CBC Books, January 22, 2020.
  31. ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (July 23, 2020). "The winner of Canada Reads 2020 is..." CBC. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  32. ^ Trumbley, Sarah (April 26, 2018). "'The Handmaid's Tale' star Amanda Brugel on finding success in her 40s: "It doesn't end, it only begins"". Hello Magazine. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  33. ^ Cardoza, Riley (August 4, 2019). "How Handmaid's Tale's Amanda Brugel Balances Her Sons' 'Different' Interests". Us Magazine. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  34. ^ "Brugs Army" Archived 2015-02-16 at the Wayback Machine, BrugsArmy.com (retrieved 15 February 2015).
  35. ^ Dowling, Dar; "Brugs Army – Creating Change for Women and Kids Using Social Media", The Huffington Post, 9 September 2013 (retrieved 19 February 2015).
  36. ^ "Sometimes the Good Kill". mylifetime.com. Lifetime. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  37. ^ "SAG Awards Winners: Complete List". Variety. January 21, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  38. ^ "2018 Gold Derby TV Awards winners: 'Versace' and 'Handmaid's Tale' are top winners, but 'Game of Thrones' takes Best Drama". Gold Derby. September 6, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  39. ^ McNary, Dave (January 27, 2019). "SAG Awards: 'Black Panther,' 'Mrs. Maisel,' 'This Is Us' Take Ensemble Prizes". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  40. ^ "The Winners: Canadian Screen Awards Presented For Creative Fiction Storytelling". ET Canada, March 28, 2019.
  41. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 11, 2019). "SAG Awards Nominations: 'Bombshell', 'The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Top Film List, 'Maisel,' 'Fleabag' Score In TV – Complete List Of Noms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2020.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""