Odeya Rush
Native nameאודיה רושינק
Birth nameOdeya Rushinek
Birth date12 May 1997 (age 29)
Birth placeHaifa, Israel
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present

Odeya Rushinek (Hebrew: אודיה רושינק; born 12 May 1997[1]), known professionally as Odeya Rush (אודיה רש), is an Israeli actress based in the United States.[2][3][4] She is known for her lead roles in The Giver (2014), Goosebumps (2015), The Bachelors (2017), Lady Bird (2017), Dumplin' (2018), Let It Snow (2019) and Dangerous Waters (2023). In 2026, she began playing the role of Maria in the Fox crime drama Memory of a Killer.

Early life

Rush was born Odeya Rushinek in Haifa, Israel on 12 May 1997 to Jewish parents, Shlomo Rushinek, an Israeli, and Maia (née Greenfeld), who made aliyah from Russia (then the Soviet Union).[1] Her first language is Hebrew, but she also grew up speaking Russian.[5] In Hebrew, her given name means "I will thank God".[6] As an eight-year-old growing up in her hometown of Haifa, Israel, she wrote and performed plays.[7]

Her family moved to the United States when she was nine years old so that her father could take up a job as a security consultant in Alabama.[8][9] When she arrived, Rush did not know English and could only speak Hebrew and Russian.[10] She attended the N. E. Miles Jewish Day School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she resided;[6][11] she later moved to Midland Park, New Jersey, where she attended public school.[12]

In the beginning of 2013, Rush moved to Los Angeles with her family. She has six brothers; four of them are younger than her—two sets of twins who reside with their parents in Los Angeles, and two older paternal half-brothers who reside in Israel.[8][13]

Career

Modelling

Before becoming an actress, Rush began her career in her childhood and adolescence when she was discovered as a model in the United States, appearing in major campaigns and advertisements for fashion brands Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, and H&M.[14]

She also starred in a summer campaign for a collaboration between FILA and Urban Outfitters in 2018.[15]

Acting

Her first acting roles began in 2010 in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, in the episode "Branded", in which she played the character Hannah Milner; and in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm in the episode "Mister Softee", as Emily.

Her first film role was in 2012, playing Joni Jerome, the best friend of Timothy, in the Peter Hedges-directed Disney film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.[16]

Rush co-starred, as Fiona, in the science fiction film The Giver (2014), based on the 1993 novel of same name from Lois Lowry, and directed by Phillip Noyce. The film also starred Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, Alexander Skarsgård and Taylor Swift.

In 2015, Rush played Ashley Burwood, niece of Johana Burwood (played by Sarah Hyland), in the comedy film See You in Valhalla. Rush's next role was the female lead in the film Goosebumps, based on the R. L. Stine's popular book series. Rush played Hannah Fairchild, the "daughter" of R. L. Stine (portrayed by Jack Black), who teams up with her neighbor to fight the Goosebumps monsters.[17]

In 2016, Rush completed filming the satirical comedy film Dear Dictator, in which she starred with Michael Caine and Katie Holmes.[18] She was also cast as Ella Hatto, opposite Sam Worthington, in action-thriller film The Hunter's Prayer directed by Jonathan Mostow.[19]

In 2017, she had a supporting role in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird; Rush was nominated along with the rest of the cast for numerous awards. The film earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. In that same year, she also starred in The Bachelors with J. K. Simmons.[20]

In 2021, Rush played the title role in her first Hebrew-language Israeli drama series, Baalat HaChalomot,[21] and, in the following year, she played Macy in the comedy-drama film Cha Cha Real Smooth and River in the supernatural horror film Umma.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film

TitleYearRoleNotes
2012The Odd Life of Timothy GreenJoni Jerome
2013We Are What We AreAlyce Parker
2014The GiverFiona
2015See You in ValhallaAshley Burwood
GoosebumpsHannah Fairchild
2016Almost FriendsAmber
2017The Hunter's PrayerElla Hatto
The BachelorsLacy Westman
Lady BirdJenna Walton
When the Devil ComesKyra
ThanksMaddyShort film; also director, producer and writer
2018Dear DictatorTatiana Mills
Dumplin'Ellen 'Elle' Dryver
Spinning ManJoyce Bonner
2019Let It SnowAddie
2020Pink Skies AheadStephanie
2022Cha Cha Real SmoothMacy
UmmaRiver
2023Dangerous WatersRose
2026Corporate RetreatGinger Hayes
TBAGoodbye GirlPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitHannah MilnerEpisode: "Branded"
2011Curb Your EnthusiasmEmilyEpisode: "Mister Softee"
2021בעלת החלומות (Baalat HaChalomot)Nur / Rose RomanoTitle role; Israeli drama (Hebrew)
2022PantheonSamaraEpisode: “Pantheon”; voice
2026Memory of a KillerMariaMain role

Music videos

YearTitleArtistAlbumNotes
2018"Rooftops"Harry NathanSongs About Dreams About HerAlso director and writer

Accolades

  • 2013: Rush was named one of Hollywood's 20 up and coming young actresses under 20 to watch by The Midwest TV Guys[22]
  • 2014: Rush was one of two Israeli actresses, along with Gal Gadot, to be named as Hollywood's newest leading ladies by InStyle magazine[23]
YearNominated workAward / film festivalCategoryResultRef.
2012The Odd Life of Timothy GreenThe Chambie AwardsBest Actress[24]
2013Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress
We Are What We AreThe Chambie AwardsBest Actress
2014HerselfTeen Choice AwardsOlay Fresh Effects Breakout Star Award
The GiverThe Chambie AwardsBest Actress
2016GoosebumpsYoung Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress (14–21)
2017Lady BirdDetroit Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble[a][25]
San Diego Film Critics Society AwardsBest Performance by an Ensemble[a][26]
[27]
Seattle Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble Cast[a][28]
Online Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble[a][29]
[30]
Florida Film Critics Circle AwardsBest Cast[a][31]
[32]
Chicago Indie Critics AwardsBest Ensemble Cast[a]
Georgia Film Critics Association AwardsBest Ensemble[a][33]
2018Online Film & Television Association AwardsBest Ensemble[34]
International Cinephile Society AwardsBest Ensemble[35]
Columbus Film Critics Association AwardsBest Ensemble[a][36]
Critics' Choice AwardsBest Acting Ensemble[a][37]
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture[a][38]
2019CinEuphoria AwardsBest Ensemble – International Competition[a]

See also

References

  1. ^ Levine, Cecilia (12 May 2017). "Happy Birthday To Midland Park's Odeya Rush". Daily Voice. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  2. ^ Dolsten, Josefin (2018-09-06). "Joshua Malina and Lisa Edelstein star in Hillel’s get-out-the-vote campaign video". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  3. ^ Nordstron, Leigh (2023-11-21). "Odeya Rush on Working With Ray Liotta in His Final Film, 'Dangerous Waters'". WWD. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  4. ^ "Israeli Acting Phenom Odeya Rush Joins Jack Black in 'Goosebumps' Film". Haaretz. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  5. ^ Carter, Lance (30 November 2017). Interview: Odeya Rush on ‘Almost Friends’, How She Prepares for a Role and Her Worst Audition Daily Actor. Retrieved on 5 July 2025
  6. ^ Lomer, Kyara (20 November 2012). "'Odd Life of Timothy Green' star Odeya Rush talks about her character in Veronica Joni, and upcoming roles – South Florida". Sun-sentinel.com. Archived 22 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  7. ^ BRENTON THWAITES & ODEYA RUSH: A NOVEL ROMANCE Archived 24 July 2016 at archive.today By Splash Staff / People / 14 August 2014
  8. ^ "Israeli-born actress finding film success in Jersey and beyond". Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  9. ^ "THE ODD, Wonderful LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN'S Odeya Rush". Kidspickflicks.com. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  10. ^ Kweskin, Anthony Rotunno, Ward + (23 July 2014). "'The Giver' Star Odeya Rush Opens Up About Her Big Break and Becoming BFFs with Taylor Swift". Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Day School Student Stars In Movie". Myemail.constantcontact.com. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  12. ^ Gurrie, Samantha. "Rush Hour; In her latest roles, Odeya Rush plays women who are wise beyond their years—but the 16-year-old still gets starstruck by her castmates.", Aritzia, backed up by the Internet Archive as of 13 April 2014. Accessed 1 September 2014. "When she was nine, her family immigrated to the United States from Israel (her name in Hebrew means 'Thank God') and settled in Birmingham, Alabama. They soon moved to Midland Park, New Jersey, and then this past year relocated to Los Angeles, where Rush is pursuing an independent study."
  13. ^ "124FEATURE-ODEYARUSH2.jpg (2850x1856 pixels)". Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  14. ^ מחיפה למסך הגדול: כך הפכה אודיה רש בת ה-17 לדבר הבא בהוליווד Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine דנה קסלר / 12 August 2014
  15. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Lady Bird's Odeya Rush stars in FILA + UO's reworked-retro collaboration". Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  16. ^ Alan Baltes, 10 December 2010. "Disney to film 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' in January as casting continues." Examiner.com
  17. ^ "Israeli actress Odeya Rush joins 'Goosebumps' cast". The Jerusalem Post. 9 February 2014.
  18. ^ Kay, Jeremy. "AFM: Fortitude International boards 'Coup D'Etat'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  19. ^ Yamato, Jen (13 October 2014). "Odeya Rush Heads To 'Hunter's Prayer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  20. ^ Ford, Rebecca. "Josh Wiggins, Odeya Rush Join J.K. Simmons in 'The Bachelors' (Exclusive)", The Hollywood Reporter, March 9, 2016. Accessed January 7, 2024.
  21. ^ "אודיה רש: "ישראלים באים בגישה חצופה ואמיתית, בהוליווד אוהבים את זה"". 13 January 2022.
  22. ^ "20 Under 20 (Up and Coming Young Actresses)". The Midwest TV Guys. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  23. ^ Israel's Gal Gadot and Odeya Rush get noticed as Hollywood's newest leading ladies By Elia Berger, 8 June 2014, The Jerusalem Post
  24. ^ "Odeya Rush – The Chambie Awards". The Chambie Awards. Retrieved 3 January 2018.[dead link]
  25. ^ "The 2017 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards". Detroit Film Critics Society. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  26. ^ "2017 San Diego Film Critics Society's Award Nominations". San Diego Film Critics Society. 9 December 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  27. ^ "2017 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". San Diego Film Critics Society. 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  28. ^ "‘Blade Runner 2049’ Leads the 2017 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle Film Critics Society. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  29. ^ Neglia, Matt (17 December 2017). "The 2017 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations". NextBigPicture. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  30. ^ Hipes, Patrick (28 December 2017). "'Get Out' Named Best Picture By Online Film Critics Society". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  31. ^ "'The Shape of Water' Leads 2017 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations". Florida Film Critics Circle. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  32. ^ "2017 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics Circle. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  33. ^ "2017 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  34. ^ "22nd Annual Film Awards (2017) – Online Film & Television Association". OFTA Awards. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  35. ^ "2018 ICS Award Winners". 4 February 2018.
  36. ^ "Awards 2019 Nominees". Columbus Film Critics Association. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  37. ^ Hammond, Pete (6 December 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'The Shape Of Water' Leads With 14; Netflix Tops TV Contenders". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  38. ^ "SAG Award Nominations: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  1. ^ Shared with the cast