Anais Granofsky (born July 14, 1973) is an American-born Canadian actress, screenwriter, producer and director, who is best known for playing the role of Lucy Fernandez in the Degrassi television franchise, appearing as a main character in Degrassi Junior High (1987–1989) and Degrassi High (1989–1991). She reprised the role in four episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2002).
Early life Granofsky was born in Springfield, Ohio, to an African American mother and a Canadian father descended from Jews who were originally from Russia and Poland. Her paternal Russian-Jewish great-grandparents fled to Romania in 1920 after an aunt was murdered by the Bolsheviks, having bribed a border guard. Granofsky's family later immigrated to Toronto in 1927. Her paternal grandfather is industrialist Phil Granovsky.
Career Anais began her career as a child actor in 1985 playing Sophie of the Mighty Mites on "Owl TV". After, she was cast in the Canadian children's television series: The Kids of Degrassi Street.
From 1987 to 1991, Granofsky portrayed Lucy Fernandez in both Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High. She also appeared in the 1992 series finale television movie School's Out. Granofsky has since made guest appearances in television series including Counterstrike (1992), Forever Knight (1995), and Goosebumps (1996).
After Degrassi, she moved to New York to attend film school at NYU, then returned to Toronto where she acted in film and TV for the next decade. In 1997, she co-starred in the short-lived series Fast Track, starring Keith Carradine. She had recurring roles on La Femme Nikita and Soul Food.
In addition to acting, Granofsky has written and directed several films including On Their Knees (in which she also starred) and The Limb Salesman. Granofsky and Canadian filmmaker/co-star Ingrid Veninger both appear fully nude in a scene in On Their Knees. Granofsky exposes her vulva and pubic hair in the aforementioned scene, making her one of the few filmmakers to have directed herself in a full-frontal nude scene.
She has directed episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Bliss and Da Kink in My Hair.
Personal life
Granofsky is married to husband, Craig, and has three children, including basketball player Toby Fournier.
Filmography Film + Year Title Role Notes 1991 Deceived Ellen 1998 The White Raven Jill 1999 Three to Tango Amy's Girlfriend #4 Have Mercy Director, writer 2001 Invitation Anais On Their Knees Willie Walker Director, writer 2004 The Limb Salesman Director, producer, writer
Television
+ Year Title Role Notes 1985 Owl Tv Sophie Mite 1 episode 1985–1986 The Kids of Degrassi Street Karen Gillis 6 episodes 1987–1991 Degrassi Junior High Lucy FernandezMain role 1989 My Secret Identity Nina 1 episode 1992 School's Out Lucy Fernandez TV movie Counterstrike Hospital Clerk Episode: "D.O.A." 1995 Forever Knight Nurse1 episode 1996 Goosebumps Ms. Prince We the Jury Naomi Budden rowspan=2TV movie Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault E.R. Technician 1997–1998 Fast Track Vanessa Carter Main role La Femme Nikita CarlaRecurring role 1999 Mind Prey Ice TV movie Twice in a Lifetime Isabel Sanchez 1 episode 2000 The Loretta Claiborne Story Alice TV movie 2001–2002 Soul Food Christine Hughes Recurring role 2001–2003 Degrassi: The Next Generation Lucy Fernandez 4 episodes 2003 Bliss rowspan=2 Director, 1 episode 2009 Da Kink in My Hair Director, 2 episodes
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