Erika Christensen

Erika Jane Christensen (born August 19, 1982) is an American actress whose film appearances include Traffic (2000) and The Perfect Score (2004), among others. She also co-starred in the drama Six Degrees on ABC.

Christensen was born in Seattle, Washington to Steven Christensen, an insurance worker/human-resources executive, and Kathy, a construction manager. She has an older half-brother, Nick, and two younger twin brothers, Dane (who appeared in the film The Upside of Anger) and Brando. She has Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Welsh, and Irish ancestry. Christensen is a member of the Church of Scientology. Her parents became Scientologists during their 20's and raised her in the faith as well as home-schooled her. Christensen was raised in Los Angeles, California and started out on television in commercials for McDonald's.

Christensen had several small roles in various television programs before starting her movie career. These shows include The Geena Davis Show, Frasier, The Practice, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Touched by an Angel. She was named one of People magazine's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001." For her performance in Traffic she received the awards for Female Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards, Female Standout Performance at the Young Hollywood Awards, and Outstanding Performance by a Cast Ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2006, she starred in the series Six Degrees, which debuted on the ABC fall schedule in 2006 but went on hiatus due to low ratings and is not expected to film any more episodes.

TomC