Reiko Aylesworth

Infobox actor
name = Reiko Aylesworth

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birthname = Reiko Aylesworth
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|12|9
location = Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
deathdate =
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yearsactive = 1993–Present
homepage =
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Reiko Aylesworth (born December 9, 1972 in Evanston, Illinois) [cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/carlos-bernard/bio/189633 |title=Carlos Bernard: Biography |publisher="TV Guide" |quote=born in the same [Evanston] hospital as Reiko Aylesworth] [cite web |url=http://www.dahl.com/weblog/5_24_05.asp |title=Episode: "May 24, 2005" |publisher=Dahl.com |first=Steve |last=Dahl |date=May 24, 2005 |quote=She was born in the same hospital as her "24" co-star Carlos Bernard] is an American film, television and stage actress, best known for her work on the television series "24". She is of Dutch, Welsh, and Japanese ancestry. [Jonathan Reiner, "Reiko & Famous," "Soap Opera Weekly", (21 June 1994).] Aylesworth lived in Springfield, Illinois, from 1987 to 1988 before moving to Seattle, Washington. She attended the University of Washington studying neuroscience before deciding on a full time career in acting. [Dollarhide, Barbara. "Faces to Watch – Hot New Talents Make Contributions to the Arts." "Seattle Times". (3 January 1993).]

Biography

Career

Aylesworth began her career on the soap opera "One Life to Live". She also appeared in minor roles in "Random Hearts", and "You've Got Mail". After guest roles in "Law & Order", "", "Now and Again", "The West Wing", and "Ed", Aylesworth was cast in the 2001 series "All Souls", which was canceled during its first season. In 2002, Aylesworth starred in the series "The American Embassy" — her character replaces one killed during the pilot — that also failed to gain an audience.

In 2001, Aylesworth auditioned for the part of Nina Myers on FOX Network's "24" but lost to Sarah Clarke. In 2002, she auditioned for another role on "24", Kate Warner, and lost to Sarah Wynter. The producers asked her to join the cast as recurring character Michelle Dessler, a CTU agent.

Aylesworth's character, "Michelle Dessler", soon developed a relationship with fellow agent Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard), and became popular with fans. [Reiko Aylesworth, “Meeting Michelle,” Interview by Tara DuLullio, (Titan Magazines), "24: The Official Magazine", (January/February 2007), 49.] By the third season, Aylesworth had become a main cast member married to Bernard's character. At the end of that season, writers decided to change much of the cast, and dropped Aylesworth's character. However, "24" viewers objected on fan forums and successfully lobbied the producers to keep her character.Fact|date=September 2007 In the twelfth episode of the fourth season, Aylesworth's Dessler returned as a top "CTU" bureaucrat through the end of the season. Her character was killed in the first episode of season 5.

Aylesworth appeared in a much-publicized guest role on "" after original cast members Jorja Fox and George Eads were fired. There was a rumor that Aylesworth's character might become a regular character, but she appeared in just one episode. "Fox" and "Eads" were rehired by CSI, and Aylesworth was rehired by "24".

Since departing "24", Aylesworth has guest starred on the short-lived series "Conviction", appeared on stage in "The Fearless" and "Expats", filmed a supporting role in Kevin Costner’s "Mr. Brooks," and starred in the independent thriller "The Killing Floor". Aylesworth was cast as Dr. Adrienne Holland in the pilot of the proposed tv series 3 lbs, but the show was not purchased. Later, 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 the "3 lbs." role or she was not offered the role again.

On 25 September, 2006, it was announced that Aylesworth was chosen for one of the two lead roles in "". She was cast as Kelly O'Brien, a pilot and soldier. In January 2007, Aylesworth had a guest role in two episodes of the ABC comedy, "The Knights of Prosperity", where she played the head of Mick Jagger’s security company.

In September 2007, it was reported that Aylesworth would appear in five episodes of the upcoming season of "ER", playing hospital chaplain Julia Dupree. Originally, her character was to appear in 5 episodes [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971421.html?categoryid=28&cs=1 Reiko Aylesworth - Entertainment News, Players, Media - Variety ] ] attracting the lustful attention of Dr. Gates (John Stamos). Her role was extended for two additional episodes, but concluded due to the suspension of filming resulting from the WGA strike.

Aylesworth has two independent films due out in 2008, "Buzzkill" [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093355/ BuzzKill (2008) ] ] and "The Understudy" [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014808 The Understudy (2008) ] ] and began filming a third, "The Assistants", in May, 2008. Independent productions like these and past films "The Killing Floor" and "No Deposit, No Return", are Aylesworth’s preferred types of film. [ Reiko Aylesworth, “An Evening with Reiko Aylesworth,” (Hoogland Center for the Arts. Springfield, Illinois, February 4, 2007).]

Filmography

Theatre

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0043855|name=Reiko Aylesworth
*amg name|2:214984
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/faces/reiko_aylesworth.shtml BBC Drama Faces - Reiko Aylesworth]