Equally skilled at comedy, improv and drama, Madeline Zima has continuously worked over the last decade in critically acclaimed projects such as the feature film “The Hand That Rocks The Cradle” and the CBS mini-series “Lucy,” in which she portrayed Lucille Ball as a teenager. Zima is likely best known for her role in the long-running hit sitcom, “The Nanny,” where the writing changed with short notice on such a daily basis, she was allowed the opportunity to hone her comic timing.
This year, Zima can be seen starring in “Breaking the Girl,” a psychological thriller directed by Jamie Babbit about a naive college student who loses a scholarship and makes a pact with a mysterious friend to kill off each other's enemies. In addition, her indie film “Crazy Eyes” premiered in the SXSW film festival. The contemporary noir drama directed by Adam Sherman follows the story of a guy whose obsession for a girl drives him to the brink.
Zima has recently starred opposite David Duchovny in Showtime’s critically acclaimed series, “Californication.” Other recent television credits include a recurring arc on NBC’s popular series, “Heroes.” Additionally, Zima has several films wrapped waiting release including the feature, “My Own Love Song,” by “La Vie en Rose” writer/director Olivier Dahan, opposite Forest Whitaker and Renee Zellweger, and “Happy Together” with Dermot Mulroney and Selma Blair. Zima starred alongside Brittany Snow and Rumer Willis in the Glamour Reel Moments short film, “Streak,” directed by Demi Moore, which premiered at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles to great accolades in 2008.
Before snagging the series regular role on “Californication,” Zima was seen starring opposite Hilary Duff in “Cinderella Story,” playing the wicked stepsister, along with guest roles on some of television’s hottest shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Ghost Whisperer.” Despite the short-lived nature of last season’s Peter Ocko pilot, “3LBS,” in which Zima played a violinist with a brain tumor, Entertainment Weekly reviewed her performance as the only reason to watch. Other notable credits include the TV films, “The Secret Path,” “Lethal Vows” opposite the late John Ritter & Marg Helgenberger and “The Sandy Bottom Orchestra” where she learned to play the violin to great acclaim for the lead role.
Zima enjoys singing and song writing, playing the guitar, horseback riding, snow boarding, painting, dancing and swimming when she is not working. The New Haven, Connecticut born actress grew up in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Southern California.
