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Azie Tesfai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Azie Tesfai
Tesfai at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con Supergirl Roundtable
Born
Los Angeles, California
Occupation(s)Actor, Writer, Producer
Years active2006–present
Known forSupergirl
Jane the Virgin

Azie Tesfai is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is known for her television roles, including Jane the Virgin and Supergirl.

Early life and education

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Azalech (Azie) Tesfai was raised in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Eritrean immigrants who grew up in Ethiopia.[1] She is an only child. Tesfai received a degree in business administration from UC Berkeley.[citation needed]. While at Berkeley she began attending auditions and acting classes.[2]

Career

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Tesfai's first role was Cherry Milton in Wicked Wicked Games on MyNetworkTV, where she appeared in 30 episodes over two seasons. She has appeared in Melrose Place, Law & Order: SVU, Franklin & Bash and Royal Pains. In 2014 she was cast as recurring detective Nadine Hanson in the CW's Jane the Virgin. She appeared in season 3 of Silicon Valley in 2016.

She was cast as Kelly Olsen, the sister of DC Comics character James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), on the fourth season of The CW series Supergirl.[3] Prior to her debut appearance in the fourth season, it was announced that Tesfai would be promoted to series regular for the fifth season.[4] She co-wrote episode 12 of the sixth and final season ("Blind Spots"), making her the first Arrowverse actor to receive a writing credit on an Arrowverse series.[5] Through her focus on writing and producing, Tesfai currently has two series in development: The Chase, which landed with Universal Television for NBC, and Sheba a drama series about the first queen on the continent of Africa, which landed at Onyx Collective for Hulu with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media producing.[6]

Fortuned Culture

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Tesfai founded jewelry company Fortuned Culture in Los Angeles.[7] Proceeds from sales help children in developing countries like Mexico, Ethiopia and Cambodia.[8]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2006–2007 Wicked Wicked Games Cherry Milton Main (30 episodes)
2007 Sands of Oblivion Jamie (TV Movie)
2008 The Cleaner Ananda Guest (1 episode)
2009 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead Zadeska (Movie)
Sutures Kristen (Movie)
2009–2010 Melrose Place Nurse Mandy Guest (3 episodes)
2010 Acts of Violence Betsy (Movie)
15 Minutes Arora (TV Movie)
Nathan vs. Nurture Julie (TV Movie)
2011 Two for Hollywood Vicky (Short)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Kendra Guest (1 episode)
2012 Harry's Law Debbie Guest (1 episode)
This American Housewife Nellie Swift Guest (1 episode)
Breakout Kings Chelsea Guest (2 episodes)
2014 Franklin & Bash Meg Guest (4 episodes)
Backlash Michelle (Short)
2014–2016 Jane the Virgin Nadine Hanson Recurring (21 episodes, Seasons 1–2)
2015 Me Him Her Kempy Blook (Movie)
A Kind of Magic Lacy (Movie)
Home & Family Unknown Guest (1 episode)
Royal Pains Aubrey Wolfhouse Guest (1 episode)
2016 Silicon Valley Dawn Simon Guest (1 episode)
Powers Dr. Michelle Marrs Recurring (2 episodes)
Rosewood Lil Kim Guest (1 episode)
Superstore Naomi Guest (1 episode)
2017 Knock Knock Head Lock Misty Copeland (Short)
The Real O'Neals Heather Guest (1 episode)
Ghosted Kirsten Guest (1 episode)
2017–2018 NCIS: Los Angeles Dana King Guest (2 episodes)
2018 The Kominsky Method Lynda Guest (2 episodes)
2019–2021 Supergirl Kelly Olsen Recurring (Season 4)
Main (Season 5–6)
2020 The Wretched Sara Movie
2021 A Million Little Things Cassandra Thomas Recurring Role (3 episodes)

References

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  1. ^ Sprankles, Julie (31 January 2015). "Jane the Virgin's Azie Tesfai opens up about the reality of living in a third-world country". Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  2. ^ Adrian Gomez. "Azie Tesfai finds strength, soul in 'Jane the Virgin'". Arts and Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 19, 2018). "'Supergirl': Azie Tesfai To Play James Olsen's Sister On the CW's DC Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  4. ^ Petski, Denise (March 15, 2019). "'Supergirl': Azie Tesfai Upped To Series Regular For Season 5". Deadline. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Supergirl's Azie Tesfai Is the First Arrowverse Actor to Write a CW DCTV Show". CBR. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (21 January 2023). "Queen of Sheba Drama in the Works at Hulu's Onyx Collective". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Own 'Jane the Virgin' Star's Handmade Jewelry, Help Kids in Five Countries". TakePart. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  8. ^ "WELCOME TO FORTUNED CULTURE". fortunedculture.com. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
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