Summer Bishil Bio

Summer Bishil was born in Pasadena, California. When she turned three years older, her family moved to America. Summer went to American as well as British schools and her family was living overseas. They returned to Pasadena in the days before her 14th birthday. Summer, who had been fascinated by the thought that she would become an actor from the age of five in her life began her first acting class when she was 14. Nine months after, she signed a contract with an agent/manager and began her full-time work. She attends college on weekends, and works toward her degree. Named one of the "Ten Actors To Watch" by Variety (2007). Nominated for Best Actress – Spirit Award. Bishil began her acting classes at the age of 14 years old. Within one year she was signed with an agency and a manager. Bishil's first performance was on the brief-lived Nickelodeon television show Just for Kicks, followed by appearances on a variety of other children's shows.Bishil's most memorable performance was as the lead character in Alan Ball's film, Towelhead in 2007, which was a re-telling of the novel with the same name. Dana Stevens, a critic for Slate and Slate, stated that Bishil's performance was "the most honest thing" in the film which was, despite the best intentions appeared to be fake and slightly embarrassing. It was like an extended PSA on inappropriate touching. Bob Strauss, who writes for a variety of Los Angeles newspapers, states that Bishil, "...is one of the most natural actors to come out in recent times." In an article published on September 12, Los Angeles Times review, Gary Goldstein stated that Summer Bishil, the "...newcomer performs a riveting and gutsy performance in the role of Jasira. In 2009, she directed Wayne Kramer’s Crossing Over movie starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, and Ashley Judd. Jay Reiner, Associated Press, appreciated her portrayal. She was selected to play Azula in M. Night Shyamalan’s film The Last Airbender (2010). The sequel was not produced.