'Lisa Datz is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, seamlessly moving between roles as a critically acclaimed actor, director, writer, producer, and voiceover artist."

— American Film Market, Just Cinema International Magazine

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Originally from Highland Park, IL, and a proud alum of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Lisa first lit up Broadway in the original casts of Titanic (Tony Award – Best Musical) and The Full Monty (opposite Patrick Wilson), flexing her ingenue and leading lady muscles.

 

From there she flipped the script, and went on to star Off-Broadway as Yitzhak, the Croatian, cross dressing rock-n-roll roadie in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, performing opposite John Cameron Mitchell and later Michael Cerveris.

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Two roles closest to her heart include Violet in Violet for which she received a Jeff Award Nomination (Chicago, with Nate Stampley Jr.) and Three Days of Rain at Portland Center Stage, opposite Silas Weir Mitchell and Sasha Roiz—co-stars she still considers family.

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On screen, Lisa has appeared in FBI: Most Wanted (opposite Dylan McDermott), Elementary (opposite Lucy Liu), Castle, Bones, and The Perfect Holiday (with Gabrielle Union). She can be spotted in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, Time Out of Mind (with Richard Gere), and yes—people still stop her to talk about her very first TV role as “Sam” on Blue’s Clues. Gamers may also recognize her voice and motion capture (the walk gives it away) as Jessica LeClerk in Red Dead Redemption 2.

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Her directorial debut, Life of Riley, won Best International Short in London, the Jury Prize in LA, and 15 other festival nominations. The film also earned her recognition as a “Rising Female Director to Discover” by the American Film Market. She recently returned to FBI: Most Wanted to shadow acclaimed director Ken Girotti as a Director-in-Training.

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When she’s not on set, stage, or behind the mic, Lisa is happiest in motion: on horseback, dancing, or gliding across the ice as a former competitive figure skater. Just as often, you’ll find her appreciating simple joys—hiking in nature, by the ocean, wandering European streets, or curled up by the fireplace with her favorite people. (Loves olive oil, hates olives—go figure.)