Odeya Rush


Odeya Rushinek, known professionally as Odeya Rush, is an Israeli actress based in the United States. She is known for her lead roles in The Giver, Goosebumps, The Bachelors, Lady Bird, Dumplin', Let It Snow and Dangerous Waters.

Early life

Rush was born Odeya Rushinek in Haifa, Israel on 12 May 1997 to Jewish parents, Shlomo Rushinek, an Israeli, and Maia, who made aliyah from Russia. Her first language is Hebrew, but she also grew up speaking Russian. In Hebrew, her given name means "I will thank God". As an eight-year-old growing up in her hometown of Haifa, Israel, she wrote and performed plays.
Her family moved to the United States when she was nine years old so that her father could take up a job as a security consultant in Alabama. When she arrived, Rush did not know English and could only speak Hebrew and Russian. She attended the N. E. Miles Jewish Day School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she resided; she later moved to Midland Park, New Jersey, where she attended public school.
In the beginning of 2013, Rush moved to Los Angeles with her family. She has six brothers; four of them are younger than her—two sets of twins who reside with their parents in Los Angeles, and two older paternal half-brothers who reside in Israel.

Career

Modelling

Before becoming an actress, Rush began her career in her childhood and adolescence when she was discovered as a model in the United States, appearing in major campaigns and advertisements for fashion brands Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, and H&M.
She also starred in a summer campaign for a collaboration between FILA and Urban Outfitters in 2018.

Acting

Her first acting roles began in 2010 in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, in the episode "Branded", in which she played the character Hannah Milner; and in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm in the episode "Mister Softee", as Emily.
Her first film role was in 2012, playing Joni Jerome, the best friend of Timothy, in the Peter Hedges-directed Disney film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.
Rush co-starred, as Fiona, in the science fiction film The Giver, based on the 1993 novel of same name from Lois Lowry, and directed by Phillip Noyce. The film also starred Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgård and Taylor Swift.
In 2015, Rush played Ashley Burwood, niece of Johana Burwood, in the comedy film See You in Valhalla. Rush's next role was the female lead in the film Goosebumps, based on the R. L. Stine's popular book series. Rush played Hannah Fairchild, the "daughter" of R. L. Stine, who teams up with her neighbor to fight the Goosebumps monsters.
In 2016, Rush completed filming the satirical comedy film Dear Dictator, in which she starred with Michael Caine and Katie Holmes. She was also cast as Ella Hatto, opposite Sam Worthington, in action-thriller film The Hunter's Prayer directed by Jonathan Mostow.
In 2017, she had a supporting role in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird; Rush was nominated along with the rest of the cast for numerous awards. The film earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. In that same year, she also starred in The Bachelors with J. K. Simmons.
In 2021, Rush played the title role in her first Hebrew-language Israeli drama series, Baalat HaChalomot, and, in the following year, she played Macy in the comedy-drama film Cha Cha Real Smooth and River in the supernatural horror film Umma.

Filmography

Film

TitleYearRoleNotes
2012'Joni Jerome
2013We Are What We AreAlyce Parker
2014'Fiona
2015See You in ValhallaAshley Burwood
2015GoosebumpsHannah Fairchild
2016Almost FriendsAmber
2017'Ella Hatto
2017'Lacy Westman
2017Lady BirdJenna Walton
2017When the Devil ComesKyra
2017ThanksMaddyShort film; also director, producer and writer
2018Dear DictatorTatiana Mills
2018Dumplin'Ellen 'Elle' Dryver
2018Spinning ManJoyce Bonner
2019Let It SnowAddie
2020Pink Skies AheadStephanie
2022Cha Cha Real SmoothMacy
2022UmmaRiver
2023Dangerous WatersRose
TBACorporate Retreat

Television

Music videos

Accolades

  • 2013: Rush was named one of Hollywood's 20 up and coming young actresses under 20 to watch by The Midwest TV Guys
  • 2014: Rush was one of two Israeli actresses, along with Gal Gadot, to be named as Hollywood's newest leading ladies by InStyle magazine
YearNominated workAward / film festivalCategoryResult
2012The Chambie AwardsBest ActressNomitated
2013Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young ActressNomitated
2013We Are What We AreThe Chambie AwardsBest ActressNomitated
2014HerselfTeen Choice AwardsOlay Fresh Effects Breakout Star AwardNomitated
2014The Chambie AwardsBest ActressNomitated
2016GoosebumpsYoung Artist AwardsWon
2017Lady BirdDetroit Film Critics Society AwardsBest EnsembleNomitated
2017Lady BirdSan Diego Film Critics Society AwardsBest Performance by an EnsembleNomitated
2017Lady BirdSeattle Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble CastNomitated
2017Lady BirdOnline Film Critics Society AwardsBest EnsembleNomitated
2017Lady BirdFlorida Film Critics Circle AwardsBest CastNomitated
2017Lady BirdChicago Indie Critics AwardsBest Ensemble CastNomitated
2017Lady BirdGeorgia Film Critics Association AwardsBest EnsembleNomitated
2018Lady BirdOnline Film & Television Association AwardsBest Ensemble
2018Lady BirdInternational Cinephile Society AwardsBest Ensemble
2018Lady BirdColumbus Film Critics Association AwardsBest EnsembleWon
2018Lady BirdCritics' Choice AwardsBest Acting EnsembleNomitated
2018Lady BirdScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureNomitated
2019Lady BirdCinEuphoria AwardsBest Ensemble – International CompetitionWon