Marley Shelton Bio

This Marley Shelton biography contains information believed to be accurate as extracted from sources around the internet including Wikipedia. If you believe there are errors or omissions in this Marley Shelton bio, please let us know so that we can correct any inaccuracies.

Marley Eve Shelton (born April 12, 1974) is an American film and television actress.

Shelton began her acting career in her late teens, and appeared in several 1990s' television movies and shows. She made her film debut in the critically acclaimed drama Grand Canyon (1991), and was cast in the films The Sandlot (1993), Nixon (1995), and Warriors of Virtue (1997). Shelton subsequently appeared in Pleasantville (1998) and Never Been Kissed (1999). Although those parts were supporting roles, both made Shelton a more-known star, and for which she found a wider fame.

In 2001, Shelton had her first starring role in the black comedy Sugar & Spice, and appeared as one of the main characters in the teen horror film Valentine. Shelton then appeared in supporting roles in the films Uptown Girls (2003), Sin City (2005), and The Last Kiss (2006). After getting a significant role in the double-feature film Grindhouse (2007), she received the lead role in the CBS show Eleventh Hour. In 2009, Shelton starred in A Perfect Getaway and (Untitled), and subsequently had a role in Scream 4 (2011).

Marley Shelton: Early life

Shelton was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Carol (née Stromme), a teacher and former singer, and Christopher Shelton, a commercial director and producer. Shelton attended University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in Film and Theatre, but dropped out when she got a role in the kung-fu kiddie film Warriors of Virtue.

Marley Shelton: Career

Marley Shelton - Early career, 1990-1997

Shelton began acting in her late teens, and appeared in several television movies and films throughout the 1990s. She had her first film role as Roberto's girlfriend at camp in the well-received drama Gran Canyon. After that role, she appeared in the 1993 popular film, The Sandlot, playing the lifeguard, Wendy Peffercorn. Her role brought her to a wider attention. In 1995, Shelton appeared as a supporting role, Tricia Nixon Cox, in Oliver Stone's Nixon, a biopic film about the story of the political and personal life of former U.S. President Richard Nixon. That same year, she guest appeared in the television series Cybill episode "The Big Sleep-Over".

Shelton next co-starred alongside Lynda Carter in When Friendship Kills (1996), a made-for-television film about the danger of anorexia nervosa among teens. She appeared opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in the romantic comedy Trojan War, which had a limited released in September 1997. Shelton landed a role in 1997's fantasy film Warriors of Virtue, as Princess Elysia. The movie was critically panned and unsuccessful at the box office.

Marley Shelton - Career transition, 1998-2008

Her first major hit came in 1998 with the fantasy comedy Pleasantville, in which she portrayed Margaret, the love interest of Tobey Maguire's character. This role was followed by a number of other appearances in films aimed at a teenage audience, including her role as a member of a snobby high school clique in 1999's Never Been Kissed and The Bachelor. Lured Innocence, an independent drama, was starring Shelton and Dennis Hopper. In the film, she played Elsie Townsend, a country towns-girl who wants to leave far away and get rich. In 2001, Shelton appeared in the horror film Valentine, alongside Denise Richards and David Boreanaz. The film was largely panned, but was a moderate success at the box office, grossing over $36 million worldwide. She also had her first starring role on screen in the black comedy film Sugar & Spice, and appeared in Bubble Boy, a comedy film co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The film was based on the story of David Vetter, and followed the story of the main character's adventures as he pursues the love of his life before she marries the wrong man. The film received mixed or average reviews.

In the following few years, Shelton landed in a variety of independent films, including Just a Kiss, Dallas 362, Grand Theft Parsons, and Moving Alan - directed by her father and starring her sister. The film failed to achieve mainstream success. Shelton gained more attention for a small role as The Customer in the film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel Sin City. Shelton provided the voice for a guest appearance as Betsy in the American Dad! episode "Deacon Stan, Jesus Man". She was also originally cast in the role of Annabeth Schott on the television series, The West Wing, but the role was eventually played by Kristin Chenoweth. She had supporting roles in the 2006 films American Dreamz and The Last Kiss.

Shelton portrayed a prominent role as Dr. Dakota Block in the Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino-directed film Grindhouse, appearing in both of the film's segments as the same character. The film failed to produce ticket sales, but drew critical acclaim. Grindhouse is the second film to feature Shelton with Rodriguez (the first being Sin City). In an interview, she explained about her character: "I referenced the classic Hitchcock ice queen blonde, like Tippi Hedren, for the beginning just as a starting place, and then obviously she devolves as she evolve." During her 2007 interview with Slice of SciFi, Shelton spoke about her own obsessions that attracted her back to horror genre with Grindhouse, saying "Personally as an actor I am obsessed with suspense and what creates it. I have studied suspense and I love the old Hitchcock films for that reason. I was really delighted to be in the hands of two masters of their craft, both Robert and Quentin, playing with the ideas of building suspense."

Shelton starred in The Fifth Patient, an independent thriller, in which she played the character Helen. The following year, she portrayed a minor role in the biopic film about George W. Bush, W., directed by Oliver Stone. In October 2008, CBS's Eleventh Hour, based on the British TV series of the same name, premiered with Shelton appearing as FBI Special Agent Rachel Young of the executive protection detail. The show, however, was canceled after one season.

Marley Shelton - Recent projects, 2009-present

In 2009, Shelton appeared opposite Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant in A Perfect Getaway, which is a thriller about a newlywed couple on their honeymoon in Hawaii. That year, Shelton landed the role of Madeleine Gray, a trendy New York art gallery owner in the independent comedy (Untitled). In an interview, Shelton explained her role in the film: "There's a purity to her. As driven as she is to find the 'get,' the next hot commodity, she also has a pure passion for art." (Untitled) received favorable reviews, with John Hartl of Seattle Times writing that "Shelton is perfect as the energized heroine. Ruthless, smart but pretentiously wrongheaded, she's the kind of culture vulture we haven't seen before."

Women in Trouble was released theatrically the following month. In the film, Shelton portrayed the character of Cora, a flight attendant. She reprised her character in the sequel Elektra Luxx, which was released in 2010. Shelton appeared alongside Carla Gugino again in The Mighty Macs, a low-budget drama which is also known as Our Lady of Victory.

On July 1, 2010, it was announced that Shelton was cast in the role of Deputy Judy Hicks in the Wes Craven film Scream 4, a role Lake Bell previously held. The film was released in theatres April 15, 2011, over 11 years since the third installment in the popular Scream franchise, and opened to mixed reviews. Some critics praised Shelton, include Matthew Turner for View London, who stated that she turned in an "enjoyably weird performance".

Marley Shelton: Personal life

Shelton currently resides at home in Los Angeles, with her husband, film producer Beau Flynn, whom she married in July 2001. The couple announced they were expecting their first child on March 13, 2009. They welcomed daughter West on Sunday, September 6, 2009 in Los Angeles. She weighed 9 lbs.

When she is not working, she enjoys to travel and has visited countries throughout Asia, South America and Africa. She also practices a regimen of yoga and pilates.

On April 30, 2010, Shelton was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was released the next day after posting $5,000. On May 21, 2010, Shelton pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two years probation and fined $240 plus penalties.