Marissa Bode (/ˈboʊ.diː/ BOH-dee; born 2000) is an American actress who is best known for playing Nessarose in the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked.
Marissa Bode | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2000 (age 23–24) Mazomanie, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Alma mater | American Musical and Dramatic Academy |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Notable work | |
| Partner | Lauren Brooks (2023–present) |
Early life and education
editBode was born in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, in 2000 and became disabled when she was 11 after a car crash. She started acting at high school and in local productions and her first role was an orphan in The Prince and the Pauper.[1]
She graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and currently lives in Los Angeles.[2]
Career
editStage
editBode has performed onstage since the age of eight in local productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins.[3]
Films and television
editBode has written, directed and produced her first short in 2021, called You're Adorable.
In 2022 it was announced she would play Nessarose, Elphaba's sister and the Wicked Witch of the East, in the Wicked movies adaptation, making her feature film debut. She made history for being the first wheelchair user to play the character, who also uses a wheelchair.[4] After auditioning for the role and thinking she was unsuccessful, Bode was called via Zoom by director Jon M. Chu and told with Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) present in the room.
Bode shared her excitement for the role and also for being able to represent disabled women of color in the movie: “To be that representation for not only disabled people but disabled people of color is so exciting and so surreal”.[5]
She also was excited to find the Wicked set fully accessible for her and for it to have been designed with a wheelchair user in mind. Director Jon M. Chu stated: "One of the most enlightening and beautiful processes I've ever gone through. You need accessibility, not just when we're on set behind the scenes, but you need to present accessibility in Oz itself."[6]
As part of the marketing campaign for the film, Mattel, one of the collaborating brands, released seven dolls of the main characters including Elphaba, Glinda and Nessarose with removable outfits and accessories and built in the likings of the actors.[7]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Carsleepers | Cassie Hairston | Short |
| 2019 | No Roles Written | Kalliope | Short |
| 2021 | You're Adorable | Short - writer, director and producer | |
| 2024 | Wicked | Nessarose | |
| 2025 | Wicked: Part Two | Post-production |
Personal life
editSince September 2023, Bode has been in a relationship with her partner Lauren Brooks.[8]
References
edit- ^ Sharpe, Josh. "Interview: Marissa Bode's Journey to the Big Screen in WICKED". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Aarsvold, Marcus (2024-06-04). "Small town Wisconsin actress defies odds, makes it to the big screen in Wicked film". WMTV15. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Studio, Actors (2024-10-08). "Actress Marissa Bode Shines as Nessarose: A Milestone for Diversity and Inclusion in Hollywood Casting". Actors Studio. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (2024-09-19). "Marissa Bode Teases Nessarose's Expanded Arc in 'Wicked' Films: 'She's Not Just the Bratty Little Spoiled Sister'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ EDITOR (2024-10-04). "DIVA exclusive with Wicked's Marissa Bode". diva-magazine.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Carly Levy (2024-09-23). "'One Of The Most Enlightening And Beautiful Processes:' Wicked's Director Opens Up About Bringing Accessibility To The Big Screen For Nessarose". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "Mattel will release 'Wicked' dolls to coincide with film adaptation". Broadway News. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
- ^ Comiter, Jordana (9 November 2024). "Meet the Real-Life Loves of the Wicked Movie Cast (Can You Guess Who Is Married to an Olympian?)". People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
External links
edit- Marissa Bode at IMDb
