Roxana Zal (born November 8, 1969) is an American former actress and fashion designer. In 1984, at the age of 14, she became the youngest Primetime Emmy Award winner for her title role in the television film Something About Amelia. She also appeared in the films Table for Five and Testament in 1983, and River's Edge in 1986.
Early life Zal was born and raised in Malibu, California, the daughter of Maureen and Hossein Zal, an Iranian-born Los Angeles investor. Zal was keen to take up acting when aged 8, however her parents resisted, until her aunt persuaded them to allow her several years later.
Career She began acting aged 11 and secured her first acting role as a guest spot on Hart to Hart towards the end of 1981.
In 1983, Zal appeared in the films Table for Five starring Jon Voight and Testament opposite Jane Alexander. In 1984 she won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the television film Something About Amelia. She also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film nomination for her performance. Zal later starred in the 1986 independent crime film River's Edge and in 1989 starred in the teen romantic drama film Under the Boardwalk. In 1989, she appeared as young mother Cissy McClure in Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure, the real life story about the rescue of Jessica McClure two years prior. At the time, she was a second-year student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and filmed the role while studying world arts and cultures.
In 1990, Zal appeared in a number of made-for-television and independent films playing supporting roles. She also guest starred in a number of television series, including Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Pretender and NCIS. In 2006, she was a regular cast member on the MyNetworkTV telenovela Watch Over Me.
Zal left acting and became a fashion designer in the 2000s.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1983 Table for Five Tilde Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film 1983 Testament Mary Liz Wetherly Nominated — Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama 1986 River's Edge Maggie 1988 Goodbye, Miss 4th of July 1989 Under the Boardwalk Gitch 1995 Red Line Gem 1996 Kiss & Tell Sissy 1996 The First Man Nan 1996 Daddy's Girl Karen Conners Direct-to-video 1997 Firestorm Lara 1998 The Waterfront Cristina 1998 Broken Vessels Elizabeth Also producerLos Angeles Independent Film Festival Award for Best Feature Film 2000 Her Married Lover Katie Griffin Alternate Title: A Clean Kill 2000 Ground Zero Victoria Heflin 2001 Blind Obsession Bedelia Rose 2004 Three Way Janice Brookbank
Television +YearTitleRoleNotes1981Hart to HartRileyEpisode: "The Hartbreak Kid"Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress, Guest on a Series1982Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorMarileeEpisode: "The Adventures of Pollyanna"1984Something About AmeliaAmelia BennetTelevision moviePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a MovieNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film1986Shattered SpiritsLesley MollencampTelevision movie1986CBS Schoolbreak SpecialAllie NewtonEpisode: "God, the Universe & Hot Fudge Sundaes"Young Artist Award for Exceptional Young Actress Starring in a Television Special or Movie of the Week1989Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClureCissy McClureTelevision movie1990Daughter of the StreetsCharleyTelevision movie1992CBS Schoolbreak SpecialMichael's sisterEpisode: "Please, God, I'm Only Seventeen"1992Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz StoryTracyTelevision movie1993Deadly RelationsMartyTelevision movie1993The Hidden RoomMarionEpisode: "Marion & Jean"1995Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanLucy LaneEpisode: "Metallo"1998Fame L.A.TinaEpisode: "Haunting Refrains"1998The PretenderCarla ParksEpisode: "Silence"1998Mixed BlessingsLaura1999Primal ForceTara MatthewsTelevision movie2003Crossing JordanMrs. StrahanEpisode: "John Doe"2004NCISMarie FoleyEpisode: "UnSEALED"2006Watch Over MeNatalie Weller64 episodes
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