Madeline Carroll (born March 18, 1996) is an American actress known for starring as Molly Johnson in Swing Vote, as Farren in The Spy Next Door, as Juli Baker in Flipped, as Janie Popper in Mr. Popper's Penguins and as Willow O'Neil in The Magic of Belle Isle.
Early life Carroll began modeling at the age of three. At the age of four, she was discovered by her theatrical agent 'Wendy' in a nail shop in Sherman Oaks. She began her career appearing in numerous commercials for companies such as Allstate, Chef Boyardee, Kmart, Mr. Clean, Subway, Super 8 Motels and Target Corporation.
Career
Her first appearance in a film was in the 2006 horror film When a Stranger Calls. After minor roles in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and Resident Evil: Extinction, in 2008 she got her first major role co-starring in Swing Vote alongside Kevin Costner. In 2010 she appeared in the Jackie Chan film The Spy Next Door. That same year she also starred in the film adaptation of Wendelin Van Draanen's novel, Flipped, directed by Rob Reiner. Carroll's performance in the film garnered critical acclaim, and in 2011 and 2012 she appeared in numerous other movies such as Mr. Popper's Penguins, Machine Gun Preacher, and The Magic of Belle Isle.
Around age 15, Carroll began to be offered nude or promiscuous roles, all of which she turned down due to her personal beliefs. In 2014, also for personal reasons, she turned down a larger role in the show Scandal, in which she had already appeared in two episodes. When she was 19, she nearly gave up being an actress altogether after a call from her agent, who stated that it was impossible to be a Hollywood actress without taking nude roles. Later, she related the following:
The next day, she was offered a role in the Christian film God Bless the Broken Road. Since then, she has played roles in other faith-based films, including I Can Only Imagine and Pure Flix's Indivisible, both of which were released in 2018.
In 2019, Carroll received the Golden Angel for "Excellent Young Performing Artist of U.S." at the 15th Chinese American Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Subsequent to starring in the Erwin Brothers' I Can Only Imagine, Carroll became involved with their studio Kingdom Story Company, with the purpose of learning filmmaking. She, Jon Erwin, and Jon Gunn wrote the script of Kingdom's first production and Carroll's screenwriting debut, I Still Believe, which was released in March 2020.
Personal life Carroll is a devout Christian, and often speaks about her faith at religious events and conferences, and during interviews.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2006When a Stranger CallsAllison MandrakisThe Santa Clause 3: The Escape ClauseCocoa2007GoldfishJennyShort filmResident Evil: ExtinctionWhite Queen2008Swing VoteMolly Johnson2009Astro BoyWidget (voice)2010The Spy Next DoorFarrenFlippedJuli BakerCaféEllyRoshamboMadelineShort film2011Mr. Popper's PenguinsJanie PopperMachine Gun PreacherPaige Childers2012The Magic of Belle IsleWillow O'NeilShit Italian Moms SayRosalieShort film2017Zer0-ToleranceAlyssa2018I Can Only ImagineShannon God Bless the Broken Road Hannah Indivisible Amanda Bradley Destined to Ride Lily Davidson also known as Pistachio 2020 I Still Believe Writer; also co-producer
Television Year Title Role Notes 2003 Cold Case Gwen Deamer (1983) Episode: "Gleen"2005Hidden Howie: The Private Life of a Public NuisanceRiley MandellPilotNight StalkerJulie MedlockEpisode: "Pilot"WantedIrene2 episodes2006All of UsElisabethEpisode: "Domo Arigato, Mr. Roberto"PassionsYoung KayEpisode: "#1.1711"2007LostAnnieEpisode: "The Man Behind the Curtain"2008High School Musical: Get in the PictureGabriela MontezABC Reality seriesGrey's AnatomyIvy SoltanoffEpisode: "In the Midnight Hour"2009Lie to MeSamantha BurchEpisode: "Do No Harm" Cold Case Hillary Rhodes (1963) Episode: "November 22"The CleanerSarahEpisode: "The Things We Didn't Plan"NCISAngela KelpEpisode: "Child's Play"2010Private PracticeMaggieEpisode: "Triangles"2011; 2013R.L. Stine's The Haunting HourAudrey Miller / Jillian2 episodes2013BlinkAri TraskTelevision film2014ScandalKaren Grant2 episodes2018Criminal MindsAlly McCreadyEpisode: "The Tall Man"2024These StonesMcKennaMain role2026The PittRita WolcottEpisode: "8:00 P.M."
References
External links