Californication Insider

Played by: Madeline Zima

Occupation: High school student at an all-girls private school

Signature look: Classy, sophisticated, and trendy. Her style makes her appear to be older than she actually is.

Personality: Mia is mischievious and appears to be pure evil. However, she does have her moments (i.e. being a good almost step-sister to Becca).

Mia’s backstory: Mia Gross is a sixteen year old girl from southern California. Her mother obviously died and she was left with her father, Bill, who was obviously never in touch with his emotions to begin with. Bill generally ignores her and as a result, Mia seeks a father figure elsewhere, namely, in the unlikely character of Hank Moody.

VIRTUES AND VICES

Moral values: Apparently none. But deep down Mia has a sense of right and wrong.

Vices(s): Sleeping with older men (so far only Hank), blackmailing Hank, drinking, and overdosing on pills.

Regret(s): Losing her mother.

Personal Goal(s): To mooch off Hank as much as possible.

MADELINE ZIMA as Mia.

Date of Birth: September 16, 1985

Birth Place: New Haven, Connecticut

Eye Color: Green

Height: 5′ 8″

Family: Parents: Dennis and Marie
Sisters: Vanessa and Yvonne

Education: Home-schooled

Actor Bio: Madeline became a child actor at an early age when she appeared in a Downey commercial. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, she grew up in Pennsylvania. She has 2 younger sisters, Vanessa and Yvonne, both of whom are also actresses and writers. In 1992, she landed a lead role in The Hand That Rocks The Cradle and has been working ever since. She is mostly known for her role as “Gracie” in the TV sitcom “The Nanny” and moved to LA when the show became a hit. The show enjoyed a 6 year run and it was during this period that she honed her comic timing. Over the past 12 years she has worked in numerous critically acclaimed projects. She has starred in TV films such as The Secret Path (1999)(TV) and The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000)(TV). Madeline was the choice to play Lucille Ball as a teenager, in the CBS mini-series, Redhead, after a world wide search.

When Not working, she sings and plays guitar, loves horseback riding, writes songs and screenplays. She loves to snowboard, paint, dance and swim and spends lots of time with her sisters.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Movies:
Legacy ( 2007 )
Dimples ( 2007 )
Looking for Sunday ( 2006 )
A Cinderella Story ( 2004 )
The Big Leaf Tobacco Company ( 2001 )
The Rose Sisters ( 1998 )
‘Till There Was You ( 1997 )
Mr. Nanny ( 1993 )
The Last Supper ( 1993 )
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle ( 1992 )

TV Shows:
Ghost Whisperer ( 2007, 1 Episode )
3 lbs ( 2006, 1 Episode )
Strong Medicine ( 2004, 1 Episode )
7th Heaven ( 2003, 1 Episode )
Lucy ( 2003, mini-Series )
Gilmore Girls ( 2001, 1 Episode )
The Nightmare Room ( 2001, 2Episodes )
King of the Hill ( 2001, 1 Episode )
The Sandy Bottom Orchestra ( 2000, TV Movie )
Lethal Vows ( 1999, TV Movie )
Chicken Soup for the Soul ( 1999, 1 Episode )
The Nanny ( 1993-1999, 126 Episodes )
The Secret Path ( 1999, TV Movie )
Second Chances ( 1998 )
Touched by an Angel ( 1997, 1 Episode )
JAG ( 1996, 1 Episode )
The Nanny Christmas Special: Oy to the World ( 1995 )
Law and Order ( 1993, 1 Episode )
30 Even Scarier Movie Moments ( 2006, Mini-Series )
The Nanny Reunion: A Nosh to Remember ( 2004 )
The Osbournes ( 2003, 1 Episode )
Rove Live ( 2007, Uncredited )

Best-known character: Gracie, from the sitcom, The Nanny.