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Elissa Sursara Profile |
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Birth Date: February 14, 1988
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Birth Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Birth Name: Elissa Sursara
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Height: 5'6"
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Biography |
Elissa Sursara is an award-winning
Brazilian-Australian actress, animal rights activist and
previous child model. Her surname is spelled Sursàra however
the diacritic mark is omitted when credited professionally.
Sursara rose to prominence within South America and parts of
Europe at age eleven as a child and commercial model and as
a subsequent television personality after hosting Brazilian
children's program Para Crianças, a role for which she
received the years Brazilian Choice Award: Choice
Actress.Sursara's fame elevated through associated
television work, leading to minor acting roles between 1994
and 2000.
Sursara translated to film from 2002 onwards, following
roles in Marion Bridge, Pain Within, Equal Opportunity and
The Screening. Sursara's current projects include Rights
Revoked (2009), an environmental documentary shot with
friend and actress Isabel Lucas for Animal Planet.
Sursara is also perhaps known for her extensive animal
rights and welfare campaigning. Sursara's associated animal
charities include Wildlife Warriors WorldWide, the World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Greenpeace the World Society for
the Protection of Animals and some work with PETA. |
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Other
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As a keen animal and environmental activist, she supports a
number of related charities including WWF, Wildlife Warriors
Worldwide, PETA's Anti Fur Campaign, Greenpeace
International's Save The Whales, The Great Ape Project and
the WSPA.
Her parents are Brazilian immigrants, who immigrated to
Australia days before her birth.
Accepted to Yale University as an international student for
class of 2005.
The nickname 'Ocean Eyes' was originally coined by friend
and actor Heath Ledger and became widely used when
referencing the actress and/or her appearance. Later,
variations of the nick name surfaced including 'The Eyes'
and more simply 'Eyes', however Elissa has revealed she
feels there is sentimental value for her in the original
nick name of 'Ocean Eyes'.
Raised in both Brazil and Australia and held dual
citizenship until her 18th birthday.
Her parents chose to remain in Australia. Upon turning 18,
Elissa also chose to remain in Australia with them.
Close friends with fellow actress Isabel Lucas.
Close friends with actress Camilla Belle.
Cousin of supermodel Adriana Lima. |
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since July 31, 2008