|
Monica Keena Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: May 28, 1979
-
Birth Place: Brooklyn, New York, USA
-
Birth Name: Monica C. Keena
-
Height: 5'1"
|
|
|
Biography |
Monica Keena is an American actress,
known for her role as Abby Morgan on Dawson's Creek.
Keena was born in New Jersey to Mary, a nurse, and William
Keena, a financial sales manager. She was raised in
Brooklyn, and has an older sister named Samantha. Monica
auditioned for acceptance into LaGuardia High School of
Performing Arts at the age of thirteen. Although she chose
the drama department as her preference, she was accepted in
both the dramatic and the vocal arts departments. Soon after
starting her classes at LaGuardia, Keena played in her first
role in a short film entitled Burning Love.
Keena went on to portray the character Bertha in a stage
reading of Strindberg's The Father with Al Pacino, and had
her first starring role playing Snow White against Sigourney
Weaver's wicked queen in the folktale-inspired Snow White: A
Tale of Terror. She has appeared in numerous television and
movie projects including the TBS Original Movie First
Daughter and Crime and Punishment in Suburbia which appeared
at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
Monica appeared in the film The Simian Line with Harry
Connick Jr. and Lynn Redgrave, and Bad Girls from Valley
High with Julie Benz and Jonathan Brandis in his final film
role before his death in 2003 (the film was eventually
released straight to DVD in 2005). In 2003 she played the
heroine, Lori Campbell, in Freddy vs. Jason. In 2006 she
played Celia in the film Left in Darkness.
Keena had a recurring role as Abby Morgan on Dawson's Creek
and a starring role on the short-lived Undeclared as the
college student Rachel. Monica also had guest roles on
series such as Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street,
Feds, and Entourage. On the hit ABC medical drama Grey's
Anatomy, Monica appeared in an episode of the second season
titled "Into You Like A Train," in which she played Bonnie,
a patient who was severely injured in a massive train
accident. Monica later reappeared in the third season
episode "Some Kind of Miracle," reprising her role as
Bonnie.
Before taking a break for new movies and TV, Keena attended
New York University as an English major. When she has a bit
of extra time on her hands she likes to take writing classes
and likes yoga. Keena enjoys reading. One of her favorite
authors is William Faulkner. She also likes the books the
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, and The Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka. She likes hanging out with friends and says:
"I don't do anything physical. I'm lazy.", However Keena
does enjoy roller skating with friends at roller rinks.
Some other things Keena has said to have liked are Bob
Dylan, the Police, and Tori Amos. Her favorite movie is The
Wizard of Oz. She especially admires Judy Garland, of whom
she says: "Judy Garland is my favorite. I probably know all
her songs and have seen all her movies." Her favorite TV
Shows include The Simpsons and Charmed.
Keena lives in New York while not working on film or movie
roles. She has been rumoured to be dating director Mousir
Syed. She has dated actor Shane West and was his date to the
premiere of Get Over It. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Says that her film Ripe (1996) is the movie that she is most
proud of.
Has been rollerskating and skatebording since a young child.
Her favorite actress is Judy Garland and her favorite movie
is The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Only spent 2 1/2 years in her High School because she was
constantly filming.
Sister Samantha is two years older.
Was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and still lives in the
city.
Gives Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh credit for her
still being in the acting business.
Posed for Maxim, Stuff Magazine and FHM.
Favorite shows are "The Simpsons" (1989) and "Charmed"
(1998).
Did a screen test with Al Pacino.
Character Rachel Lindquist was based on her.
Claims she is anti doing anything physical.
Doesn't let fame affect her personal life
Enjoys writing and is an English major.
Has a fear of the dark.
Her own teenage friendships suffered when she traveled for
acting work.
Is good friends with actor Vincent Kartheiser.
Takes writing classes.
Won an award in 7th grade for reciting the poem "Casey at
the Bat".
As a young child, she was always drawing, painting, dancing
and singing.
Monica auditioned for acceptance into LaGuardia High School
of Performing Arts, made famous around the world by "Fame"
(1982). She was accepted into both the vocal and dramatic
arts department, choosing drama as her preference.
Monica has always found an outlet for her creativity. As a
child, she immersed herself in classes, determined to
perfect her craft in drawing, painting, singing and dance
She has performed at the Heights Players in Brooklyn in
Little Women (as Beth) and The Lion, The Witch and The
Wardrobe as Lucy (alongside actor Tim Realbuto).
Is friends with actress Meredith Monroe.
Her parents enrolled her in prep schools to keep her
sheltered from the "wild life", little did they know that
would lead her on a string of rebellion through her early
teens.
Despite playing the "dumb girl" in movies and TV, she
actually graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was considered gifted
in intelligence and arts.
During the New York run of the highly controversial film
Ripe,stars Monica Keena and Daisy Eagan would regularly
attend screenings so they could meet the fans that saw it
and get reactions.
Her Mom and Grandmother raised her when she was growing up.
She took her grandmother to the Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
premiere.
The school she attended in Brooklyn Heights, Saint Ann's,
was recently named #1 school in the country by The Wall
Street Journal. |
|
|
|
