Mikey Madison

From Grokipedia

Mikey Madison is an American actress best known for her Academy Award-winning performance as a Brooklyn sex worker in the 2024 film Anora. Born Mikaela Madison Rosberg on March 25, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, she rose to prominence with her breakout role as the rebellious teenager Max Fox on the FX comedy-drama series Better Things (2016–2022).

Madison's early career included appearances in short films and guest spots on television before landing the recurring role of Max on Better Things, created by and starring Pamela Adlon, which served as her informal acting education. She transitioned to film with a supporting role as Susan "Sadie" Atkins, a member of the Manson Family, in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), followed by her feature horror debut as the villainous Amber Freeman in the slasher sequel Scream (2022).

Her starring turn in director Sean Baker's Anora—a Palme d'Or winner at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival—marked a pivotal breakthrough, earning her widespread critical acclaim for portraying a resilient young woman navigating chaos after an impulsive Vegas marriage to a Russian oligarch's son. For this role, Madison secured the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in February 2025 and the Academy Award for Best Actress in March 2025, defeating frontrunner Demi Moore in an upset victory that highlighted her rapid ascent in Hollywood.

Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent on her mother's side, with additional English, Scots-Irish, and other European roots, Madison has credited her diverse heritage and Los Angeles upbringing for shaping her grounded approach to fame. Following her Oscar win, she has been cast in high-profile projects, including the thriller Reptilia opposite Kirsten Dunst, signaling continued prominence in both independent and mainstream cinema.

In brief

Mikaela Madison Rosberg (born March 25, 1999), known professionally as Mikey Madison, is an American actress. Her accolades include an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award, in addition to nominations for two Actor Awards, three Critics' Choice Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. Madison began her acting career as a teenager with roles in short films.

Her first major role came as a sullen teenager in the FX comedy series Better Things (2016–2022). She made her film debut with a starring role in Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017), followed by supporting roles in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and the slasher film Scream (2022). In 2024, she played the titular role in Sean Baker's Anora, which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.