How Anna Chlumsky Got Her Groove Back - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 08-05-2009, 09:27 PM

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/buzz...-chlumsky.html

by Michele Meyer August 4, 2009

Remember Anna Chlumsky, the fresh-scrubbed kid with the cherry-red grin in the 1991 family flick "My Girl"? Her starring role as Vada, a motherless tomboy going through some growing pains, earned her an MTV Movie Award for "Best Kiss" (with co-star Macaulay Culkin) and a Young Artist Award for "Most Promising Young Newcomer" -- not too shabby for a 10-year-old. Primed for superstardom, Chlumsky's next role was in the dubious "My Girl 2" -- after which she promptly fell off most people's radars.

Well, we just spotted a blip on our screen: Now 28, Chlumsky appears in the new movie "In the Loop," a highbrow political parody chock-full of profane and inspired insult-hurling. Although fans hoping to see Chlumsky in another wholesome, feel-good role will be disappointed, some of her other (male) fans will probably find her portrayal of a sexy, power-hungry press aide very appealing indeed.

So what else has Chlumsky been up to these last 18 years? After making "My Girl 2," she starred in two more unremarkable movies: "Trading Mom" and "Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain." Then the teen years hit, and she couldn't land any roles. Why? "Braces and boobs. I got both of them," she reveals in a Chicago Sun-Times article. After years of auditions and rejections, she finally decided to leave acting to preserve her self-esteem. She went to college, majored in international relations at the University of Chicago, and went on to work as an editorial assistant for HarperCollins.

Then one day she caught a Broadway performance of "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?" and was inspired by Mercedes Ruehl's performance. In a Back Stage article, she recalls thinking at the time, "I have to do what she just did." Acting classes and roles in New York's free theater soon followed, and slowly Chlumsky built a respectable stage career for herself. In the last couple of years, she did a stint on "Law and Order," guest-starred on "30 Rock," and had a recurring role on the now-canceled TV show "Cupid."

Things continue to look up for Chlumsky: Just last year, she got married to Army reserve member Shaun So. Later this year, she'll appear with Alexis Bledel in the romantic comedy "The Good Guy." And according to IMDb, she has two more movies in the works. While the teen years may not have been so kind to Chlumsky, young adulthood seems to suit her just fine.

TJL · 08-05-2009, 09:39 PM

I read about her a few weeks ago. Nice story.
It's interesting that she decided to drop out of showbiz and lead a "normal" life for a while.

I wonder what ep of 30 Rock she was in? I watch that show all the time, and I didn't recognize her.

catlover79 · 08-05-2009, 09:49 PM

I've always liked her - she's always seemed very cool and down to earth. I remember seeing both My Girl movies at the theater when they were first released - it's scary to think of how much time has passed since then!!

As for 30 Rock, she was on an episode entitled "The Fighting Irish", which originally aired in March 2007. That was the first season, and she played a character named Liz Lemler.

comedyfreak · 08-06-2009, 08:30 AM

I'm glad she's back in the spotlight. I wondered what happened to her, good article.

browneyes106 · 08-06-2009, 06:09 PM

I'm glad Anna's getting back into acting she has talent and it's good that she got a college education.

Marvo301 · 08-06-2009, 07:01 PM

Good for Anna for taking care of herself and for getting an education. It's nice to see her getting back into acting.

catlover79 · 08-06-2009, 09:50 PM

It'll be very interesting to see how her new acting career will go. I wish Anna nothing but the best.

Schmoopie · 08-07-2009, 04:31 AM

I loved her in My Girl and My Girl 2. It's nice to hear that she's settled down and found someone to love! I'll have to watch that episode of 30 Rock. It will be great seeing her on TV again!

08-05-2009, 09:27 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	How Anna Chlumsky Got Her Groove Back http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/buzz...-chlumsky.html by Michele Meyer August 4, 2009 Remember Anna Chlumsky, the fresh-scrubbed kid with the cherry-red grin in the 1991 family flick "My Girl"? Her starring role as Vada, a motherless tomboy going through some growing pains, earned her an MTV Movie Award for "Best Kiss" (with co-star Macaulay Culkin) and a Young Artist Award for "Most Promising Young Newcomer" -- not too shabby for a 10-year-old. Primed for superstardom, Chlumsky's next role was in the dubious "My Girl 2" -- after which she promptly fell off most people's radars. Well, we just spotted a blip on our screen: Now 28, Chlumsky appears in the new movie "In the Loop," a highbrow political parody chock-full of profane and inspired insult-hurling. Although fans hoping to see Chlumsky in another wholesome, feel-good role will be disappointed, some of her other (male) fans will probably find her portrayal of a sexy, power-hungry press aide very appealing indeed. So what else has Chlumsky been up to these last 18 years? After making "My Girl 2," she starred in two more unremarkable movies: "Trading Mom" and "Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain." Then the teen years hit, and she couldn't land any roles. Why? "Braces and boobs. I got both of them," she reveals in a Chicago Sun-Times article. After years of auditions and rejections, she finally decided to leave acting to preserve her self-esteem. She went to college, majored in international relations at the University of Chicago, and went on to work as an editorial assistant for HarperCollins. Then one day she caught a Broadway performance of "The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?" and was inspired by Mercedes Ruehl's performance. In a Back Stage article, she recalls thinking at the time, "I have to do what she just did." Acting classes and roles in New York's free theater soon followed, and slowly Chlumsky built a respectable stage career for herself. In the last couple of years, she did a stint on "Law and Order," guest-starred on "30 Rock," and had a recurring role on the now-canceled TV show "Cupid." Things continue to look up for Chlumsky: Just last year, she got married to Army reserve member Shaun So. Later this year, she'll appear with Alexis Bledel in the romantic comedy "The Good Guy." And according to IMDb, she has two more movies in the works. While the teen years may not have been so kind to Chlumsky, young adulthood seems to suit her just fine.
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08-05-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I read about her a few weeks ago. Nice story. It's interesting that she decided to drop out of showbiz and lead a "normal" life for a while. I wonder what ep of 30 Rock she was in? I watch that show all the time, and I didn't recognize her.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

08-06-2009, 08:30 AM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I'm glad she's back in the spotlight. I wondered what happened to her, good article.
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08-06-2009, 07:01 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Good for Anna for taking care of herself and for getting an education. It's nice to see her getting back into acting.
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08-07-2009, 04:31 AM	#8
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I loved her in My Girl and My Girl 2. It's nice to hear that she's settled down and found someone to love! I'll have to watch that episode of 30 Rock. It will be great seeing her on TV again!
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08-05-2009, 09:49 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I've always liked her - she's always seemed very cool and down to earth. I remember seeing both My Girl movies at the theater when they were first released - it's scary to think of how much time has passed since then!! As for 30 Rock, she was on an episode entitled "The Fighting Irish", which originally aired in March 2007. That was the first season, and she played a character named Liz Lemler.

08-06-2009, 06:09 PM	#5
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I'm glad Anna's getting back into acting she has talent and it's good that she got a college education.

08-06-2009, 09:50 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	It'll be very interesting to see how her new acting career will go. I wish Anna nothing but the best.