Summer Bishil Bio

Summer Bishil was born in Pasadena, California. She and her family relocated overseas when she was three. Summer was a student at American and British schools as her family was living abroad. She returned home to Pasadena, California just shy of her fourteenth birthday. Attracted by the idea of acting since when she was just five years old, Summer took her first acting class at the age of 14. Nine months later, she was signed by an agent and manager, and started to pursue her career full time. She is enrolled in college in her own time, and is working to earn her degree. Named one of the "Ten Actors to Watch" by Variety (2007). Nominated for Best Actress – Spirit Award. Bishil began to take acting lessons when she was 14. Within a year Bishil was offered an employment contract by a management or agency. Bishil's first performance was in the short-lived Nickelodeon show Just for Kicks, followed by appearances on other children's shows.Bishil's debut performance was the lead actress in Alan Ball's film, Towelhead in 2007, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name. Dana Stevens, a Slate critic, stated that "Her performance in a film that for all its good intentions is completely fake somewhat embarrassing, like an extended PSA about inappropriate touching is the most honest thing." Bob Strauss, a Los Angeles newspaper journalist, stated that Bishil "...is one of the most gifted natural actors in recent years. In a September 12 Los Angeles Times review, Gary Goldstein stated that Summer Bishil who is the "...newcomer, gives an enthralling and confident performance as Jasira. "In 2009, she filmed Wayne Kramer's project Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd, a portrayal which received some praise from the Associated Press's Jay Reiner. The film was a success and she was cast as Azula in M. Night Shyamalan's 2010 film The Last Airbender. This was to be the main storyline of the planned but never made sequel.