Reiko M. Aylesworth(born December 9, 1972) is an American actress. She is known for playingMichelle Desslerin the action television series24.
Reiko Aylesworth | |
|---|---|
| Born | Reiko M. Aylesworth[1] December 9, 1972 Evanston, Illinois,U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse | Rob Clare |
Early life, career start
editAylesworth was born on December 9, 1972, inEvanston, Illinois,[2][3]and is ofDutch,Welsh,andJapaneseancestry. Her given name, Reiko ( lễ tử ), is Japanese; her surname, Aylesworth, isEnglish.[4]She lived inSpringfield, Illinois,from 1987 to 1988, where she first became interested in acting. After understudying in several productions at the Springfield Theatre Centre, Aylesworth was cast in the role of Consuelo inWest Side Story,while her family was preparing to move toSeattle,Washington.When her family left for Seattle, she remained in Springfield with family friends of theirs for the duration of the play's run.[5]
After joining her family in Seattle, Aylesworth attended theUniversity of Washingtonand studiedneuroscience.While there, she participated in several local theater productions includingInvisible Friendsat theSeattle Children's Theatre[6]and theIntiman Theatre Company's production ofPeter Panwhere she playedWendy.[7]
Aylesworth's performance inPeter Panbrought her to the attention of talent scouts atABC,leading to the beginning of her television and film career asRebecca Lewison the soap operaOne Life to Live.[8]After her character was written out ofOne Life to Live,she appeared in the independent filmChildhood's Endand the final episode of theHBOseriesLifestories: Families in Crisis.During this time Aylesworth also appeared in at least threeOff Broadwayproductions.
Following a guest appearance onLaw & Orderand a supporting role in the miniseriesA Will of Their Own,Aylesworth had minor appearances in the moviesRandom HeartsandYou've Got Mailfollowed by a guest star role in theCBSseriesNow and Again.Soon afterNBCcast Aylesworth as Becca Coltrane in the pilot for the seriesSherman's March,however, it was not picked up and aired as a standalone television movie.
Aylesworth continued her work on television with guest appearances inThe West Wing,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,andEd[9]as well as being cast in a lead role in the supernatural hospital dramaAll Souls.WhenAll Soulswas cancelled after its sixth episode, Aylesworth joined the cast of the new seriesThe American Embassy,which was quickly cancelled after its fourth episode.
Career
edit24
editFollowing the cancellation ofThe American Embassy,Aylesworth auditioned for the part ofNina MyersonFox Network's24but the role went toSarah Clarke.When casting began for 24'ssecond season,Aylesworth again auditioned, this time for the part ofKate Warner,but the role went toSarah Wynter.However, the producers were impressed with her and asked her to join the cast for a ten episode recurring role asMichelle Dessler,aCTUagent.[10]Despite being credited as a guest star for the entire season, she appeared in all 24 episodes.[11]
DirectorJon Cassarquickly noticed the "chemistry" between Aylesworth and her costarCarlos Bernard,in the role ofTony Almeida.which led to a decision to develop the characters' onscreen relationship.[12]The relationship between Michelle and Tony quickly became popular with fans[13]and later would resurface as one of the driving forces in the show'sseventh season.
While on hiatus from24after season two, Aylesworth filmed an episode for the second season ofThe Dead Zone,playing a love interest forAnthony Michael Hall'sJohnny Smith.[14]By 24'sthird season(2003–2004), Aylesworth had become a main cast member with Tony and Michelle now married and holding leadership positions at CTU. However, when the season concluded, the writers announced that most of the characters were being dropped, with those actors not being retained for season 4.[15]Upon being released from24,Aylesworth was cast as Chandra Moore, aDNA analyst,in the fifth season ofCSI: Crime Scene Investigation;while the role was intended to be recurring, it was dropped after one episode.[16]
Asseason 4of24progressed, some of the characters from previous seasons returned mid-season, including Aylesworth as Michelle Dessler. The character returns in the twelfth episode, now a high level bureaucrat within the CTU hierarchy, serving as CTU Director for the remainder of the season. Her character resigns at the end in order to remarryTony Almeida,[17]then is killed by a car bomb in the opening episode ofseason 5.[18]
Initial post-24roles
editFollowing her departure from24,Aylesworth landed her first leading role in a feature film – the independent, romantic dramaCrazy lovewhere she worked alongsideBruno Camposand former24costarPaul Schulze.Crazylovetells the story of Letty Mayer, aschool teacherwho suffers a nervous breakdown and while institutionalized, meets Michael (Campos) and the two begin a dangerous and unpredictable romance.[19]She partnered with her former24costarXander Berkeleyin theSci Fi Channelmade-for-television movie,Magma: Volcanic Disaster.[20]In a guest start role on the short-lived seriesConviction,she played a renowned attorney who killed her husband and then defended herself at the murder trial.[21]When the cast was selected for the series3 lbs,Aylesworth was chosen for the role of Dr. Adrienne Holland, but the pilot was rejected by CBS.[22]The following season, CBS decided to buy the series for a late fall 2006 premiere, but the lead roles were recast, including Aylesworth's. It is unknown whether she declined the3 lbsrole or she was not offered it again.
Soon after the conclusion of24's fifth season,Aylesworth and her24costarD. B. Woodsidefilmed theshort,Firstwhich was also written, produced, and directed by Woodside. Aylesworth's character, Angelina Marveau, was "a fallen French nun" who was fighting to choose between her religious beliefs and first love, a nihilistic, American professor, who was portrayed by Woodside.[23]
2006–2008
editIn 2006, Aylesworth filmed roles for two feature movie along with an independent production. In theKevin Costnermovie,Mr. Brooks,Aylesworth portrayed a divorce lawyer, Sheila, who was representing the husband ofDemi Moore's character, Detective Tracy Atwood. Departing from her previous type of characters, Aylesworth played thefemme fataleAudrey Levine in theGideon Raffindependent thrillerThe Killing Floor.[24]
Aylesworth played one of the two lead roles inAliens vs. Predator: Requiem(2007).[25]Her character, Kelly O'Brien, an Army pilot and soldier returning home after being deployed overseas, arrives inGunnison, Coloradothe day before theAliensandPredatorinvade the town.
In January 2007, Aylesworth had a guest role in two episodes of the ABC comedy,The Knights of Prosperity,where she played the head ofMick Jagger's security company, Simone Cashwell. The Knights attempt to seduce her character in order to obtain the necessary security codes to accessMick Jagger's apartment and later trick Simone in order to get her thumbprint which is also needed to open the door.[26]Soon after she filmed a supporting role in Hannah Davis and David Conolly'sThe Understudywhere she played Police Chief Kinsky. While it has appeared at numerous film festivals, a DVD release date forThe Understudyhas not been announced.[27]
Aylesworth continued her work in independent productions, filming a small part forSteven Kampmann's independent movie,Buzzkill.[28]It was given a limited release in January 2012. In April 2008, Aylesworth was cast in a recurring role onER,playing hospital chaplain Julia Dupree. Originally, Dupree was to appear in 5 episodes[29]with the purpose of attracting the lecherous attention of Dr. Gates (John Stamos). Her role was extended for two additional episodes, but concluded due to the suspension of filming resulting from the2007-2008 WGA Strike.A month later Aylesworth filmed a supporting role in the Steve Morris independent comedyThe Assistants,[30]which tells the story of a group ofHollywoodassistants who are scheming to have their script turned into a feature film. Aylesworth has often said independent productions like these and past films such asNo Deposit, No Return,are her preferred types of film.[31]
Ongoing television work
editAylesworth has continued with one-off guest roles and recurring roles on episodes of varioustelevision dramas.In 2009, she portrayedAmy Goodspeedin threeSeason 5episodes ofLost.[32][33]She has also appeared in recurring roles, including five episodes in season three of Damages,[34]as Dr. Malia Waincroft on seven episodes over three seasons of CBS'sHawaii Five-0,and nine episodes as Allie Jones over two seasons ofScorpionin 2016 and 2017.[35][36]
Theater work
editAylesworth has appeared inoff-Broadwayproductions. She performed in the 2006 production of Etan Frankel'sThe Fearlessat theSummer Play Festival[37]andThe New Group(naked)'s 2007 production of Heather Lynn MacDonald'sExpats.[38]
Personal life
editAs of February 2007[update],Aylesworth had resided inNew York Citysince 1993.[39]Aylesworth is married to Rob Clare, a scholar and expert on Shakespearean theater.[40]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Childhood's End | Laurie Cannon | |
| 1998 | You've Got Mail | Thanksgiving Guest | |
| 1999 | Random Hearts | Mary Claire Clark | |
| Man on the Moon | Mimi | ||
| 2000 | No Deposit, No Return | Sue | |
| 2005 | Shooting Vegetarians | Daisy | Filmed 1999–2000, releaseddirect-to-videoin 2005[citation needed] |
| Crazylove | Letty Mayer | ||
| 2007 | The Killing Floor | Audrey Levine | |
| Mr. Brooks | Sheila | ||
| Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | Kelly O'Brien | ||
| 2008 | The Understudy | Chief Kinsky | |
| The Assistants | Cassie Levine | ||
| 2012 | Buzzkill | Sara | |
| Bad Parents | Laurie | ||
| 2017 | Oh Lucy! | Kei | |
| 2019 | Rapid Eye Movement | Charlene Johnson | |
| 2020 | Dark Harbor | Regina Newhall |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1994 | One Life to Live | Rebecca Lewis | [unknown episodes] |
| 1996 | Lifestories: Families in Crisis | Rita | Episode: "Someone Had to Be Benny" |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Tiffany Sherman | Episode: "We Like Mike" |
| 1998 | A Will of Their Own | Annie Jermaine | Miniseries |
| 1999 | Now and Again | Dr. Taylor | Episode: "By the Light of the Moon" |
| 2000 | Sherman's March | Becca Coltrane | Television film |
| The West Wing | Janine | Episode: "Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics" | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | A.D.A. Erica Alden | 3 episodes | |
| 2001 | All Souls | Dr. Philomena Cullen | Main cast |
| 2002 | Ed | Kate Harrison | Episode: "Ends and Means" |
| The American Embassy | Liz Shoop | Main cast | |
| 2002–2006 | 24 | Michelle Dessler | Recurring role (seasons 2, 4–5); main cast (season 3) |
| 2003 | The Dead Zone | Natalie Connor | Episode: "Deja Voodoo" |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Chandra Moore | Episode: "Viva Las Vegas" |
| 2005 | Fathers and Sons | Business Woman | Television film |
| 2006 | 3 lbs | Dr. Adrienne Holland | Unsold pilot,reshot using different actress |
| Magma: Volcanic Disaster | Natalie Sheppard | Television film | |
| Conviction | Julie Phelps | Episode: "Deliverance" | |
| 2007 | The Knights of Prosperity | Simone Cashwell | 2 episodes |
| ER | Julia Dupree | Recurring role (season 14) | |
| 2009 | Lost | Amy Goodspeed | Recurring role (season 5) |
| The Forgotten | Linda Manning | Episode: "Unaired pilot";reshot using different actress | |
| 2009–2010 | Stargate Universe | Sharon | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Damages | Rachel Tobin | Recurring role (season 3) |
| The Good Wife | Nora Vashley | Episode: "On Tap" | |
| 2011–2014 | Hawaii Five-0 | Dr. Malia Waincroft | Recurring role |
| 2011 | Lights Out | Jennifer | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Elementary | Miranda Molinari | Episode: "Flight Risk" |
| Person of Interest | Agent Vickers | Episode: "C.O.D." | |
| 2013 | King & Maxwell | Liz Allen | Episode: "King's Ransom" |
| Drop Dead Diva | June Fraizer | Episode: "Fool for Love" | |
| 2014 | Revolution | Marion Kelly | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | NCIS | Mrs. Marshall | Episode: "Homefront" |
| 2016–2017 | Scorpion | Allie Jones | Recurring role |
| 2017 | Salvation | Rhonda Cheng | Episode: "Indivisible" |
| SEAL Team | Dr. Julie Kruger | Episode: "Tip of the Spear" | |
| 2018 | The Good Doctor | Louisa DeLeon | Episode: "Carrots" |
| 2019 | Bull | Carolyn Kelly | Episode: "Prior Bad Acts" |
| 2020 | Tommy | Sasha | Episode: "Lifetime Achievement" |
| 2021–2024 | Hit-Monkey | Maki Matsumoto / Lady Bullseye,Yuki | Voices,7 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 24: The Game | Michelle Dessler |
| 2022 | Hindsight | Mary |
Theater
edit| Year | Theater/Festival | Location | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | Intiman Theatre Company | Seattle | Peter Pan | Wendy[41][failed verification] |
| 1996 | Philadelphia Festival Theater George Street Playhouse |
Philadelphia New Brunswick, N.J. |
Cheap Sentiment | Meg Van Dyke[42] |
| 1996 | Primary Stages Theater | New York City | Missing / Kissing: Missing Marisa / Kissing Christine | Server in "Kissing"[43] |
| 1997 | American Place Theatre | New York City | Robbers | Lucinda[44] |
| 2002 | McCarter TheatreCenter | Princeton, N.J. | Humpty Dumpty | Spoon[45] |
| 2005 | Williamstown Theatre Festival | Williamstown, Mass. | Top Girls | Lady Nijo/Win[46] |
| 2017 | Antaeus Theatre | Los Angeles | Les Liaison Dangereuses | Marquise de Merteuil |
| 2019 | The Geffen Playhouse | Los Angeles | Black Super Hero Magic Mamma | Connie/ Lady Vulture |
References
edit- ^"Reiko Aylesworth".Movies.The New York Times.January 2, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2008.RetrievedMay 22,2010.
- ^"Carlos Bernard: Biography".TV Guide.
born in the same [Evanston] hospital as Reiko Aylesworth
[dead link] - ^Dahl, Steve (May 24, 2005)."Episode:" May 24, 2005 "".dahl.com.
She was born in the same hospital as her "24" co-starCarlos Bernard
[permanent dead link] - ^Jonathan Reiner, "Reiko & Famous,"Soap Opera Weekly,(June 21, 1994).
- ^Nick Rogers, "All in a Day's Work; '24' Actress Landed Her First Role in Springfield,"The State Journal-Register,February 6, 2003, Entertainment.
- ^Misha Berson, "Invisible Friends is All too Transparent,"The Seattle Times,September 18, 1992, Tempo.
- ^Joe Adcock, Intiman Saves "Peter Pan" from Excessive Sweetness,Seattle Post-Intelligencer,November 13, 1992, What's Happening.
- ^Marla Hart, "Midwest Roots - Shows Subvert Values Even as They Maintain Them,"Chicago Tribune,September 2, 1993, Tempo.
- ^"Reiko Aylesworth".TV.com.RetrievedAugust 15,2017.[dead link]
- ^Terry Armour, "Armour & Co."Chicago Tribune,March 21, 2004, Arts & Entertainment.
- ^Tara Dilullo,24: The Official Companion: Seasons 1 & 2,(London:Titan Books,2006), 91.
- ^Tara Dilullo,24: The Official Companion: Seasons 1 & 2,(London:Titan Books,2006), 107.
- ^Reiko Aylesworth, "Meeting Michelle," Interview by Tara DuLullio, (Titan Magazines),24: The Official Magazine,(January/February 2007), 49.
- ^"'Zone' Star Foresees Success ".New York Daily News.July 5, 2003.[dead link]
- ^Adalian, Josef (July 18, 2004)."New faces for '24'".Variety.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^Gail Pennington, "TV Dramas Use Conflict -- Lots of Conflict to Gain an Edge,"St. Louis Post-Dispatch,September 30, 2004, Everyday Magazine.
- ^Kevin McDonough, "The Bodies Pile up as '24' Intensifies - Only Half the Series' 24-hour 'Day' Remains; Who Will be Left Alive?The Grand Rapids Press,March 14, 2005, Your Life.
- ^Virginia Rohan, "More Shows Kill Off Prime-Time Players,"The Free Lance–Star,May 5, 2006.
- ^Bucks County Courier Times,"Game Shows go for Big Money," February 14, 2006, Sunday Life.
- ^USA Today,"The Attack of the Popular 'B' Horror Films," April 20, 2005, Life.
- ^Gail Pennington, "Critic's Pick,"St. Louis Post-Dispatch,May 5, 2006, Everyday.
- ^D. Mason, "Studio Backs '3 Lbs.' Creator",Ventura County Star,July 14, 2005, Life, Arts and Living.
- ^"First. by DB Woodside & Nick Sivakumaran - Short Film @ Brooklyn Film Festival".WBFF.June 11, 2012.RetrievedOctober 25,2012.
- ^Daniel Pike, "'24' Questions,"The State Journal-Register,February 1, 2007, Entertainment Section.
- ^LaPorte, Nicole (September 24, 2006)."Duo boards 'Alien' ship".Variety.[dead link]
- ^David Bianculli, "ABC Heist Sitcom's Stealing the Show",New York Daily News,January 3, 2007, Television Section.
- ^"Mansion Pictures".mansionpicturesny.com.RetrievedOctober 25,2012.[dead link]
- ^Karen Keller, "Clifton Pizzeria Enjoys Slice of Stardom in Indie Film,"The Record,August 1, 2007, Local Section.
- ^Dodd, Stacy (September 5, 2007)."Reiko Aylesworth".Variety.[dead link]
- ^Morris, Steve (May 30, 2008)."The AssistantsWraps Principal Photography "(Press release). pressrelease365.com. Archived fromthe originalon June 6, 2008.RetrievedOctober 12,2008.
- ^Reiko Aylesworth, "An Evening with Reiko Aylesworth," (Hoogland Center for the Arts. Springfield, Illinois, February 4, 2007).
- ^24Alum Reiko Aylesworth Clocks in atLost"TV Guide.November 7, 2008. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.[dead link]
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (November 7, 2008)."Lost,24beefing up casts ".The Hollywood Reporter.Associated Press.RetrievedApril 11,2017.
- ^Bryant, Adam (October 1, 2009)."Damages Books Reiko Aylesworth for Recurring Role".TV Guide.RetrievedOctober 1,2009.[dead link]
- ^Roffman, Marissa (October 6, 2016)."'Scorpion': Reiko Aylesworth Set to Romance Robert Patrick's Cabe ".TV Insider.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^Avalos, Regina (October 10, 2016)."Scorpion:Lea Thompson & Reiko Aylesworth to Guest in Season Three ".tvseriesfinale.com.RetrievedFebruary 18,2017.
- ^"SPF Announces Final Week Schedule, July 24–30".BroadwayWorld.July 18, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^Hernandez, Ernio (April 30, 2007)."Halston, Pankow, Aylesworth and Dale Cast in New Group (naked)'sStrangers KnockingandExpats".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2013.RetrievedNovember 20,2009.
- ^Pike, Daniel (February 1, 2007). "'24' Questions / Hollywood Actress Returning to Springfield for Q&A ". Entertainment.The State Journal-Register.
- ^Testa, Adam (May 19, 2014)."'24' actress, husband to share theater knowledge with local actors ".The Southern Illinoisan.RetrievedJanuary 26,2025.
- ^Samuels, Steven, ed. (1994)."Intiman Theatre Company".The Illustrated Guide to America's Nonprofit Professional Theatre.Theatre Profiles. Vol. 11. New York:Theatre Communications Group.p. 74.ISBN1-55936-077-1– viaInternet Archive Book Reader.
- ^Klein, Alvin(March 3, 1996). "A Grudge Match With Hollywood".The New York Times.p. NJ13.
- ^Jacobson, Aileen (October 18, 1996). "Shanley Tries, Misses in 'Missing / Kissing'".Weekend Section.Newsday.
- ^Evans, Greg (February 14, 1997). "Robbers". Reviews.Variety.
- ^Weber, Bruce (April 3, 2002). "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?". Arts/Cultural.The New York Times.
- ^Kennedy, Louise (July 26, 2005). "Top Girls is Dressed for Success". Arts.The Boston Globe.
