Lusia Rozalia Strus (born December 13, 1969) is an American writer and stage and film actress with Neo-Futurists.
Childhood and work as a theater actress
Strus was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a Ukrainian family. She spoke Ukrainian as her first language and regularly attended Ukrainian school on weekends. She had first decisive successes at performing arts, while a high school student, and attended Illinois State University. As a theater major, she joined Greg Allen's Neo-Futurist ensemble, in 1993, which she wrote solo and ensemble performances for. She has played for the Chicago Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Victory Gardens theaters as well as for the Curious Theatre Company, the Northlight Repertory, and others, and has also worked for Yoplait, WBEZ, and the Chicago Jazz Festival.
Film and TV actress
Strus is noted for her role as Adam Sandler's assistant (Alexa) in 50 First Dates, as well as for playing eclectic characters and sometimes incorporating unusual accents in her roles. Her career has spanned theatre and stage for nearly two decades. She had a recurring role on Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide as Dr. Xavier. Strus played Janine in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and plays Rachel in Jason Lew's and Gus Van Sant's Restless. She had a recurring role in Wayward Pines (2015), and played Letty's mother Estelle on Good Behavior from 2016 to 2018.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1996Reflections from the Heart of a ChildCounselorTelevision film1999Stir of EchoesMcCarthy2001The SecretOlenkaSoul SurvivorsStern NurseDanny's WishCindy Rackley2002DesignDelilahNo Sleep 'til MadisonLoraine200450 First DatesAlexa2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousJanine2006MoonpieMaureen2007I'm with StupidJeanTelevision filmPlaying with ChickenTelevision film2011RestlessRachel Cotton2014Kelly & CalMitziThe MendBeatrice2015Everyday MiraclesMaggie Mae Welles-Cooper2019BuffaloedFrances2020SoulOksanaUncredited2023PaintBeverly
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1998CupidSlinky WomanEpisode: "Meat Market"2000Early EditionPatty DavlinEpisode: "Mel Schwartz, Bounty Hunter"2005–2007Ned's Declassified School Survival GuideDr. XavierRecurring role (season 2–3)11 episodes2006Crossing JordanEddie Dawson's GirlfriendEpisode: "Someone to Watch Over Me"2010–2012Jack in a BoxGloria5 episodes2011Modern FamilyOfficer BlevinEpisode: "Phil on Wire"Blue BloodsAngela JacksonEpisode: "Friendly Fire"2013Whatever This Is.Donna2 episodes2015Wayward PinesMarcy (voice)3 episodes2016–2017Good BehaviorEstelleMain role; 20 episodes2018New AmsterdamJeffersEpisode: "Anthropocene"2018–2019ClawsBrendaGuest (season 2), recurring role (season 3)7 episodes2019The BlacklistMarguerite RenardEpisode: "Marko Jankowics"2020Search PartyMelissa Miracle2 episodes2023The Other TwoSheilaEpisode: "Cary Gets His Ass Handed to Him"
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