Anna Maria Strickland was born and raised in Queens, New York City and speaks fluent Italian. Growing up she dreamed of being an archaeologist, digging around in people's lives. She holds a MS in Biology and worked in the medical and cancer research fields for many years. In 2006 while listening to director Joe Wright's DVD commentary, she was moved by his words on story and she knew right then that she wanted to be part of the storytelling. On stage, her favorite roles were Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman, Mary Jane Hanrahan in Jesus Hopped the A Train, and Penelope Easter in The Totalitarians. She is studying with the esteemed Harry Mastrogeorge in Los Angeles. Improv veteran Melanie Chartoff described Anna Maria as "versatile, vulnerable - a great heart for drama as well as comic material; her adaptability, physical freedom and willingness to go deep are impressive". She is often cast as women who are vulnerable, strong or both. Anna Maria has strong laboratory and medical skills, including doctor- and nurse-speak. She loves dancing, gardening, art and is also a potter. Anna Maria lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband Brad, their two cats Louie and Ella and two dogs Basie and Dizzy. She has joyfully returned to her first love- digging around in people's lives.

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Anna Maria Strickland

Actress