The character of Vada Sultenfuss in the 1991 feature film My Girl served as the professional breakthrough for Anna Chlumsky. After entering show business through childhood modeling, she secured early roles in Uncle Buck and the 1994 sequel My Girl 2, eventually establishing a long-term presence in both television and stage productions throughout her adult career.
Early Career and Education
Born in Chicago on December 3, 1980, to Nancy and Frank Chlumsky Jr., she attended Grace Lutheran School and Walther Lutheran High School. Following her initial success in the 1990s with films such as Trading Mom and Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain, she paused her acting career to pursue higher education. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. Before returning to professional acting, she worked as a fact-checker at Zagat Survey and held a position as an editorial assistant for a science fiction-fantasy imprint at HarperCollins.
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She completed formal training at the Atlantic Acting School in Manhattan to facilitate her return to the industry. Her theater credits include the 2005 production of Balm in Gilead, the 2008 staging of Unconditional, and the 2012 premiere of 3C. Her Broadway appearances include You Can't Take It with You and the 2015 comedy Living on Love. On television, she appeared in Law & Order, 30 Rock, and the 2009 series Cupid, followed by a role as Jan Lucas in the Lifetime movie 12 Men of Christmas.
Political Satire and Television Recognition
In 2009, she played a State Department assistant named Liza in the political satire film In the Loop, directed by Armando Iannucci. This association continued with her role as Amy Brookheimer on the HBO series Veep, which ran from 2012 to 2019. This portrayal resulted in six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Her later television work includes a part in the fourth season of Halt and Catch Fire, a role in the Netflix drama Inventing Anna, and voice work for the 2021 Rugrats revival.
Fast facts
- Born: December 3, 1980, Chicago
- Education: University of Chicago, 2002
- Film Debut: Uncle Buck, 1989
- Breakthrough Role: Vada Sultenfuss, My Girl, 1991
- Spouse: Shaun So, married 2008
- Veep Tenure: 2012–2019
- Children: Two daughters
- Training: Atlantic Acting School
Questions readers ask
Did Anna Chlumsky appear in a third My Girl film?
No. While a script was reportedly in development by Dan Aykroyd starting in 2003, Chlumsky stated in 2012 that no such project was moving forward.
What did Chlumsky study in college?
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Chicago in 2002.
Achievements
- Began modeling as a small child
- Starred in 'My Girl' at age 11 (1991)
- Graduated from the University of Chicago
- Multiple Emmy nominations for 'Veep'
