Summer Bishil Bio

Summer Bishil was raised in Pasadena (California). The family she was raised with moved out of the country when she was three. Summer attended American and British schools as her family was living in the United States. They returned to Pasadena just before her 14th birthday. Summer, who had been infatuated with the idea that she would become an actor since the age five in her life she took her first acting class at 14. Nine months later, she got an agent and manager and began to pursue her profession full-time. She is enrolled in college in weekends, and works to earn her degree. One of the young stars featured in Vanity Fair's cover story, "Hollywood's New Wave: The Hottest Kids in Hollywood" in August 2008.Was named one of "Ten Actors to Watch" by Variety (2007).Nominee for Best Actress - Spirit Award. Bishil began taking acting lessons when she was 14. Within a year, Bishil was signed to a contract by a manager or agency. Bishil was first seen in the Nickelodeon television show Just for Kicks. She has since appeared in various other children's programs. In 2007, she played the lead character in Alan Ball's film Towelhead which was a re-imagining of his novel. Dana Stevens, a critic for Slate, said that Bishil's performance was "the most honest thing" in a film that, despite its best intentions made it feel fake and somewhat embarrassing. It was like an extended PSA regarding inappropriate touching. Bob Strauss, a Los Angeles journalist at the newspaper, declared that Bishil "...is one of the top natural actresses on film in recent years. Gary Goldstein, in a September 12, Los Angeles Times, review of Towelhead stated that Summer Bishil ("...newcomer) delivers a powerful and stunning performance as Jasira. In 2009, she filmed Wayne Kramer’s Crossing Over movie starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, and Ashley Judd. Jay Reiner, Associated Press, appreciated her portrayal. The film was a success and she was cast as Azula in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 film The Last Airbender. This was to be the primary focus of the planned, but never produced sequel.