Mädchen Amick ( ; born December 12, 1970) is an American actress and television director. She is known for her starring role as Shelly Johnson on the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991), its prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and its revival television series Twin Peaks: The Return (2017). She appeared in the pilot episode of Baywatch (1989). She was a series regular on Central Park West (1995–1996), Freddie (2005–2006), Christopher's love interest on Gilmore Girls (2000-2001), and Witches of East End (2013–2014) and as Wendall Meade in ER (2004). In film, she had starring roles in Sleepwalkers (1992) and Dream Lover (1993) the latter of which earned a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Actress. She also portrayed Alice Cooper on The CW's drama television series Riverdale (2017–2023).
Amick is a member of SAG-AFTRA's 2025–2027 National Board.
Early life Mädchen Elaina Amick was born in Sparks, Nevada, a city that borders Reno, the daughter of Judy (née Ross), a medical office manager, and Bill Amick, a musician. Amick's parents are of partial German descent; they wanted to give her an unusual name and so chose Mädchen (German for girl).Mädchen Amick is Allison on Freddie As a young girl, Amick was encouraged by her parents to follow her creative instincts. She learned to play the piano, bass, violin and guitar and took lessons in tap, ballet, jazz and modern dance.
Career After moving to Los Angeles, Amick began her career with guest roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989) and Baywatch (1989). Amick got her first break when director David Lynch chose her to play waitress Shelly Johnson on the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991). Amick's character endured physical abuse at the hands of her criminal husband, Leo, and was one of the most popular characters. Amick went on to work twice more with Lynch—reprising her role as Shelly in the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and in seven episodes of the 2017 Twin Peaks revival series.
In 1990, Amick was cast as Mandy in Don't Tell Her It's Me and portrayed Amy in Tobe Hooper's horror film I'm Dangerous Tonight. In 1991, Amick was cast in The Borrower. In 1992, Amick portrayed the heroine Tanya Robertson in the Stephen King horror film Sleepwalkers. The following year, she starred in the thriller film Love, Cheat & Steal (1993).
In 1993, Amick was cast as Lena Mathers in the feature film Dream Lover, a thriller in which she co-starred with James Spader. In 1995, she and Spader were reunited in the TV movie The Courtyard. That same year, Amick appeared in the romantic comedy French Exit. In 1996, Amick was cast in the science fiction thriller Bombshell. Amick's return to network television came in the fall of 1995 with the much-publicized CBS primetime soap opera Central Park West. In 1997, she appeared in the film Wounded. In 1998, Amick costarred for one season in the reboot of Fantasy Island on ABC alongside Malcolm McDowell.
After a decade of roles that failed to ignite the publicity Twin Peaks had, Amick gradually became a noticeable face in television with recurring roles on Gilmore Girls, ER, Jake in Progress, and Joey. In 2006, Amick was a regular in the sitcom Freddie, which was subsequently canceled.
Amick guest-starred in a number of episodes of the serial thriller Kidnapped on NBC, playing a strange and deadly assassin. She also had a recurring role in the second season of Dawson's Creek as the lead character's substitute film studies teacher. In 2007, she had a lead role in the short-lived CBS musical series Viva Laughlin.
Amick had a recurring role in season 2 of Gossip Girl, and she also appears in the second season of the Showtime series Californication. In 2008, Amick starred as Christian Slater's wife on the NBC series My Own Worst Enemy. In 2010, Amick played Danielle Marchetti on the FX series Damages.
In 2011, she appeared in the post-apocalyptic film Priest. In 2013, Amick began starring in the Lifetime supernatural drama Witches of East End opposite Julia Ormond, Rachel Boston and Jenna Dewan. Amick's character Wendy Beauchamp was originally a guest star, but she became a permanent character after shooting the pilot episode. On August 6, 2015, Amick joined the cast of American Horror Story: Hotel as a mother whose son is ailing. From 2017 to 2023, Amick starred as Alice Cooper, Betty Cooper's mother, on the CW television series Riverdale.
Personal life Amick married her boyfriend of 8 years, David Alexis, on December 16, 1995. Together they have two children.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1990Don't Tell Her It's MeMandy1991Megan1992Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with MeShelly Johnson1992SleepwalkersTanya Robertson1993Dream LoverLena MathersNominated–Saturn Award for Best ActressLove, Cheat & StealLauren Harrington1994Trapped in ParadiseSarah Collins1995French ExitZina1997 Wounded Julie Clayton Bombshell Angeline1998Twist of FateRachel Dwyer2000Gabrielle Mitchell2001Italian TiesJamieScenes of the CrimeCarmen2002Global EffectDr. Sera Levitt2005Four Corners of SuburbiaRachel SamsonLies and deceptionJean Brooks2011PriestShannon Pace2017GrannieAssistantShort film
Television Year Title Role Notes1989Star Trek: The Next GenerationYoung AnyaEpisode: "The Dauphin"BaywatchLaurie HarrisEpisode: "Panic at Malibu Pier"1990Miss DoddsworthTelevision filmI'm Dangerous TonightAmyTelevision film1990–1991Twin PeaksShelly Johnson26 episodesNominated–Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress: Prime Time1991For the Very First TimeRhondaTelevision film 1995LaurenTelevision filmFallen AngelsMrs. CordellEpisode: "Love and Blood"1995–1996Central Park WestCarrie Fairchild21 episodes1997HeartlessAnn "Annie" O'KeefeTelevision film1998Samantha ClarkTelevision film1998–1999Fantasy IslandAriel13 episodes1999Dawson's CreekNicole Kennedy3 episodesMr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed StoryJackie McCoyTelevision film2001HangmanGrace MitchellTelevision film2002Susan CostelloTelevision film2002–2003Gilmore GirlsSherry Tinsdale3 episodes 2003Queens SupremeLisa SalingerEpisode: "The House Next Door"Wild CardCrystal StevensonEpisode: "Black Sheep"EdCeleste "CeCe" RoyceEpisode: "Home for Christmas"2004–2005ERWendall Meade10 episodes 2005Lies and DeceptionJean BrooksTelevision filmJake in ProgressKylie2 episodesJoeySara5 episodes2005–2006FreddieAllison Moreno22 episodes2006Law & OrderAlissa GoodwynEpisode: "Home Sweet"2006–2007KidnappedYvonne Guttman3 episodes2007Viva LaughlinNatalie Holden 8 episodes2008SharkGina RomeroEpisode: "One Hit Wonder"Gossip GirlDuchess Catherine Beaton4 episodesCalifornicationJanie Jones5 episodesMy Own Worst EnemyAngelica "Angie" Spivey9 episodes2009LizPilot 2010Pleading GuiltyBrushyPilotDamagesDanielle Marchetti5 episodesCSI: NYAubrey Hunter3 episodesUnanswered PrayersAva AnderssonTelevision film2011White CollarSelena ThomasEpisode: "Veiled Threats"MetroMary McCarthyPilot2012PsychJacqueline MedeirosEpisode: "Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy, Rusty Old Dagger"Beauty & the BeastLois WhitworthEpisode: "Basic Instinct"RingerGreer Sheridan2 episodesIn Plain SightAssociate Director Susan Campbell2 episodesMad MenAndrea RhodesEpisode: "Mystery Date"Drop Dead DivaGina Blunt2 episodesPolitical AnimalsMindy MeyersEpisode: "Lost Boys"2013–2014LongmireDeena3 episodesWitches of East EndWendy Beauchamp23 episodes2015American Horror Story: HotelMrs. Ellison3 episodes2016Second ChanceJoan SolodarEpisode: "May Old Acquaintance Be Forgot"2016–2017LoveMom3 episodes 2017 Twin Peaks Shelly Briggs 7 episodes 2017–2023 Riverdale Alice Susanna Smith Cooper 117 episodesAlso director: "Chapter Seventy-Six: Killing Mr. Honey", "Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery" and "Chapter One-Thirty: The Crucible"2025Brilliant MindsAlicia RamatiEpisode: "The Fire Fighter"Also director: "The One That Got Away"
Music videos Year Title Artist Roles1988 "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama" Dweezil Zappa Baby "Temptation" Wet Wet Wet "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man" Rick Astley Girlfriend2016 "Freedom"Mina Tobias Director "Kings & Queens"2017 "Spoken" Sly Alexis2018 "Another One" Mina Tobias2019 "Shoes" Herself
References
External links
Official website