Soleil Moon Frye

Soleil Moon Frye

Frye at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show
Born (1976-08-06) August 6, 1976
Glendora, California, U.S.
Education San Fernando Valley Professional School
Alma mater The New School
Occupation Actress, film director, screenwriter
Years active 1982–present
Spouse(s) Jason Goldberg (m. 1998)
Children 3
Parent(s) Virgil Frye
Sondra Peluce
Relatives Sean Frye (half-brother)
Meeno Peluce (half-brother)
Website www.moonfrye.com

Soleil Moon Frye (/soʊˈleɪ/; born August 6, 1976)[1] is an American actress, director and screenwriter. She began her career as a child actor at the age of 2. When she was 7 years old, Frye won the role of Penelope "Punky" Brewster in the sitcom Punky Brewster. The series, which debuted on NBC in September 1984, earned consistently low ratings but the Punky character was a hit with young children. After NBC canceled the series, it was picked up for the syndication market where it aired for an additional two seasons ending in 1988.

After the series ended, Frye continued her career in guest spots on television and supporting roles in films. She attended The New School during the late 1990s, and directed her first film, Wild Horses in 1998. In 2000, she joined the cast of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as Roxie King, Sabrina Spellman's (Melissa Joan Hart) roommate and close friend. Frye remained with the series until its end in April 2003. She has since continued her acting career working mainly as a voice actor. Frye also voiced Aseefa in the animated series Planet Sheen.

In 1998, Frye married producer Jason Goldberg, with whom she has three children. She has since opened an organic specialty clothing shop for children, The Little Seed, in Los Angeles. She also hosts a blog and web series which focus on child rearing and women's issues. In 2011, Frye released her first book Happy Chaos: From Punky to Parenting and My Perfectly Imperfect Adventures in Between. Frye is currently the host of Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network.[2]

Early life

Frye was born in Glendora, California. Her father is actor Virgil Frye, and her mother is talent agent and caterer Sondra Peluce (née Londy). She has two half-brothers, Sean Frye and Meeno Peluce, both former child actors. Frye's parents divorced when she was two.[3]

Frye was educated at a private school in Los Feliz and attended San Fernando Valley Professional School in Burbank.[3]

Career

Acting

Frye made her acting debut in the 1982 television movie Missing Children: A Mother's Story. In 1983, she had a supporting role in Who Will Love My Children?, another television movie starring Ann-Margret. The following year, she portrayed Elizabeth (Bette) Kovacs in the biographical television movie Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter, and appeared in another television movie, Invitation to Hell, directed by Wes Craven.

At the age of seven, Frye beat out over 3,000 girls to win the title role on the NBC sitcom Punky Brewster. The series, which was conceived by NBC's then-head of programming Brandon Tartikoff, premiered in September 1984. Scheduled opposite CBS's highly rated 60 Minutes, the series struggled in the ratings but the character of Punky was popular among children. Frye routinely appeared at parades, participated in an anti-drug walks with then-First Lady Nancy Reagan, and was the honorary chairperson for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Frye also voiced the lead role in the animated series It's Punky Brewster, which began airing during Punky Brewsters first season. Despite the series' low ratings, Brandon Tartikoff decided to renew the show for a second season because it was the highest rated show watched by children 2 to 11 years old.[4][5] Punky Brewster's second season, which dealt with more serious subject matters such as CPR and first-aid training, drug use and the Just Say No campaign, and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, did not improve ratings and NBC canceled the series in April 1986.[6] The series was quickly picked up by Columbia Pictures Television and began airing in first-run syndication. Punky Brewster aired for an additional two seasons, ending in May 1988.

Immediately upon Punky Brewster's end, Frye landed the lead role in the ABC sitcom pilot Cadets, which aired as a summer special on September 25, 1988. The pilot, however, was not picked up.[7] In 1989, Frye hosted the syndicated weekly talk/variety show Girl Talk. Based on the board game of the same name, Frye shared hosting duties with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Rod Brogan.[8][9] The series was canceled after one season.

During the 1990s, she guest starred on several television series including The Wonder Years, Saved by the Bell, and Friends, and voiced characters for the animated series Tiny Toon Adventures and The Cartoon Cartoon Show. In addition to her television work, Frye has appeared in the films The Liars' Club (1993) and Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1995) and in stage productions of Orestes, I Murdered My Mother and The Housekeeper.

From 2000 to 2003, Frye portrayed the character of Roxie King in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, with her longtime friend and series producer Melissa Joan Hart.[10] During the run of Sabrina, she voiced the character of Zoey in the Disney Channel series The Proud Family and the series' 2005 television movie.

In 2004, she voiced Jade, a Bratz character in the direct-to-video release Bratz: Starrin' & Stylin'. She also voiced the character for the television series, and the video games Bratz Rock Angelz (2005) and Bratz: Forever Diamondz (2006). From 2010 to February 2013, Frye voiced Aseefa in the animated series Planet Sheen.

Directing

In 1996, Frye moved to New York to attend The New School and later directed her first film, Wild Horses (1998).[11]

Frye directed her second film, Sonny Boy, in 2004. The documentary chronicles a two-week trip Frye took with her father, Virgil, who had Alzheimer's disease. Sonny Boy was an official selection at the 27th Starz Denver International Film Festival[12] and won Best Documentary at the San Diego Film Festival.

Other ventures

In 2007, Frye, along with two friends, opened The Little Seed, an environmentally-conscious children's specialty boutique in Los Angeles.[13] The boutique closed in August 2013, and is now an Internet-based business.

In March 2010, Frye and her friend and former Sabrina castmate Melissa Joan Hart launched the "Better Together" campaign for Gain.[14]

In September 2011, Frye released her first book, Happy Chaos: From Punky to Parenting and My Perfectly Imperfect Adventures in Between.[15] In October 2013, she released a party-planning book, Let's Get This Party Started. She also hosted a web series, Her Say, from 2011 to 2012, and currently hosts a blog on her official website, moonfrye.com, both of which deal with women's issues and parenting.[16]

In 2014, Frye co-founded P.S. XO, a company that sells party decoration kits.[17]

Personal life

As a teen, Frye suffered from gigantomastia. She underwent a breast reduction three months before her 16th birthday.[3]

Marriage and children

On October 25, 1998, Frye married television producer Jason Goldberg in a Jewish ceremony (Frye's mother is Jewish, as is Goldberg).[18] Frye and Goldberg have three children: daughters Poet Sienna Rose (born August 2005)[19] and Jagger Joseph Blue (born March 2008),[20] and son Lyric Sonny Roads (born February 2014).[21] In November 2015, Frye revealed they were expecting their fourth child. [22]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1987 You Ruined My Life Minerva
1993 The Liars' Club Gigi
1994 The St. Tammany Miracle Julia Alternative title: Heavenly Hoops
1994 Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings Marcie
1995 Twisted Love Sharon Stewart
1996 Mind Games Becky Hanson
1998 Wild Horses
–
 Writer, director
1999 Motel Blue Agent Kyle Rivers
2000 The Girls' Room Casey Alternative title: Best of Enemies
2001 Alex in Wonder Alissa Alternative title: Sex and a Girl
2004 Sonny Boy
–
 Director
2004 Bratz: Starrin' & Stylin' Jade (voice) Direct-to-DVD release
2006 Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion - Diamondz Jade (voice) Direct-to-DVD release

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Missing Children: A Mother's Story Mary Elizabeth Movie
1983 Who Will Love My Children? Linda Fray Movie
1983 Little Shots Samantha Movie
1984 Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter Elizabeth Kovacs #2 Movie
1984 Invitation to Hell Chrissy Winslow Movie
1985 Diff'rent Strokes Terry Harris Episode: "Sam's New Pal"
1985 MacGruder and Loud Kathy Episode: "The Very Scary Man"
1984–1988 Punky Brewster Penelope "Punky" Brewster 88 episodes
1985 Back to Next Saturday Punky Brewster Special
1985–86 It's Punky Brewster Penelope "Punky" Brewster (Voice) 26 episodes
1986 Alvin Goes Back to School Punky Brewster Special
1987 The Law & Harry McGraw Charlene Episode: "She's Not Wild About Harry"
1988 Cadets Tyler McKay Unsold pilot
1990 Where's Rodney? Sonya Movie
1990 The Wonder Years Mimi Detweiler Episode: "Growing Up"
1992 Saved by the Bell Robin Episode: "Screech's Spaghetti Sauce"
1992 Tiny Toon Adventures Amanda Duff (Voice) 2 episodes
1992 ABC Weekend Special Tina Episode: "Choose Your Own Adventure: The Case of the Silk King"
1993 The Ren & Stimpy Show Voice role Episode: "Stimpy's Fan Club"
1994 Summertime Switch Peggy, the head cheerleader Movie
1994 Heaven Help Us Episode: "First Comes Love"
1995 Piranha Laura Movie
1996 The Cartoon Cartoon Show Mary (Voice) Episode: "Johnny Bravo and the Amazon Women"
1997 The Secret Emily DeCapprio Movie
1998 I've Been Waiting for You Kyra Thompson Movie
1999 Working Jen Miller Episode: "The Prodigy"
1999 Friends Katie Episode: "The One with the Girl Who Hits Joey"
1999 Grown Ups Robin Episode: Pilot
2000–03 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Roxie King 66 episodes
2001–05 The Proud Family Zoey (Voice) 47 episodes
2005 The Proud Family Movie Zoey (Voice) Movie
2005 The X's Annasthesia (Voice) Episode: "License to Slumber/Three Days of the Coin Op"
2009 Robot Chicken Voice roles 2 episodes
2010–13 Planet Sheen Aseefa (voice) 13 episodes
2013–present Home Made Simple Herself Host

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title of work Result
1985 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Television Comedy Series Punky Brewster Nominated
1986 Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series Punky Brewster Won
1988 Best Young Female Superstar in Television Punky Brewster Nominated
1988 Best Animation Voice Over Group It's Punky Brewster (Shared with Casey Ellison, Ami Foster, Teddy Field III, and Cherie Johnson) Nominated
1989 Best Young Actress Guest Starring in a Syndicated Family Comedy, Drama or Special Mickey's 60th Birthday Nominated
1989 Best Young Actress - Voice Over Role It's Punky Brewster Won
2004 San Diego Film Festival Best Documentary Sonny Boy Won

References

  1. ↑ "Soleil Moon Frye". TV Guide Online. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  2. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/app/home-made-simple.html
  3. 1 2 3 Rosen, Marjorie (April 26, 1993). "Now I Can Be Free".
  4. ↑ "'Punky Brewster' Star Goes to Camp". The Victoria Advocate. July 27, 1985. p. 4. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  5. ↑ O'Hallaren, Bill (March 2, 1986). "Her show may be a flop but Soleil Moon Frye is riding high on the wave of popularity". New Straits Times. pp. 2, 15. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  6. ↑ Margulies, Lee (February 19, 1986). "'Punky' Deals With Shuttle Tragedy". LA Times. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  7. ↑ Burlingame, Jon. "Sunday Highlights". The Modesto Bee (September 24, 1988). pp. A–10. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  8. ↑ Stafford, Nikki (2007). Bite Me!: The 10th Buffyversary Guide to the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3 ed.). ECW Press. pp. 33–34. ISBN 1-550-22807-2.
  9. ↑ Television/Radio Age , Volume 37 37. Television Editorial Corporation. 1989. p. 11.
  10. ↑ Angulo, Sandra P. (2000-10-27). "Moon Shot". ew.com. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Soleil Moon Frye Biography". askmen.com. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  12. ↑ Chaw, Walter (November 4, 2004). "Work de Soleil: From Shirley Temple to Barbara Kopple". filmfreakcentral.net. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  13. ↑ Wihlborg, Ulrica (October 9, 2007). "Soleil Moon Frye Opens Eco-Friendly Baby Store". people.com. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Gain Partners with Celebrity Best Friends Melissa Joan Hart and Soleil Moon Frye to Demonstrate that 'Two is Better than One'". yahoo.com. March 30, 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  15. ↑ "The Throwback: Catching up with 'Punky Brewster'". cnn.com. September 1, 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  16. ↑ Spencer, Lara; Reynolds, Talesha (November 28, 2011). "'Mom-Trepreneurs' Turn the Mundane Details of Motherhood Into Lucrative Businesses". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  17. ↑ http://www.psxo.com/
  18. ↑ Bloom, Nate (April 8, 2005). "Celebrity Jews". jweekly.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Punky's Soleil Moon Frye Has a Daughter". people.com. August 24, 2005. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  20. ↑ Wihlborg, Ulrica (March 17, 2008). "Soleil Moon Frye Welcomes a Baby Girl". people.com.
  21. ↑ Webber, Stephanie (February 12, 2014). "Soleil Moon Frye, Husband Jason Goldberg Name Newborn Son Lyric Sonny Roads". Us Weekly. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  22. ↑ http://celebritybabies.people.com/2015/11/15/soleil-moon-frye-pregnant-expecting-fourth-child-jason-goldberg/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soleil Moon Frye.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, January 31, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.