Celebrity Birthday: Alexandra Daddario - 37

 

Some people get into acting with dreams of chasing fame and fortune, others find that their only talents lay in performing, and a small number of people choose acting because they have a genuine passion for the art. While Alexandra Daddario probably strives for success and has a talent for acting, it’s clear that her primary motivation is the passion she has for her craft. As we celebrate her 37th birthday, here’s a look at some of her more noteworthy horror projects.

Alexandra Daddario Got Her Start on a Soap Opera

If you’re a long-time fan of Ms. Daddario, you already know she spent some time playing Laurie Lewis on All My Children. From 2002 through 2003, a 16-year-old Alexandra stretched her acting legs in her first role on this long-running soap. It wouldn’t be long before she decided to pursue film and other television formats.

After leaving All My Children, Alexandra struggled to jumpstart her film career. In 2005’s The Squid and the Whale, she was cast to play a pretty girl. She took more bit parts in films and guest starring roles on television to expand her portfolio. Some of her early credits include appearances on The Sopranos, Law & Order, and Life on Mars.

Daddario Finds More Success in the Fantasy & Horror Genres

Alexandra’s star began to rise when it became apparent that she had talent as well as looks. In 2010, she was cast in a prominent role in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. She would reprise her role in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters in 2013.

2010 brought a starting role to Alexandra in the crime/horror thriller, Bereavement. In the film, Daddario plays a 17-year-old youth who travels to her uncle’s farm and uncovers a dark secret.

Alexandra Brings a Twist to Texas

In 2013’s Texas Chainsaw, Alexandra plays a young Millennial who travels to Texas to collect her inheritance. She’s not sure what to expect and quickly discovers that she has a hidden connection to the Sawyer family of the OG Tobe Hooper film.

While there were mixed reviews for this addition to the famed horror franchise, it didn’t come without a pedigree. Other cast members in the film included Gunnar Hansen (Friday the 13th) and Marilyn Burns (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre -1974 and Helter Skelter - 1976).

Burying the Ex Brings Out Alexandra’s Romantic Side

If you followed Daddario strictly for her horror and fantasy roles, you might not have seen her lighter side before 2014. In that year, Burying the Ex was released as a horror comedy with a romantic subplot. Alexandra played the unwitting new love interest for Anton Yelchin’s Max.

If you haven’t seen Burying the Ex, I highly recommend it as a date night movie.

Daddario Teams Up With The Rock

In 2015, Alexandra was cast to star alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in San Andreas. This was her chance to explore the action/adventure genre, proving she can take on more physically demanding roles. Two years later, she again worked with Johnson in his reboot of Baywatch. Although it was another action role, the Baywatch reboot film was a chance for Alexandra to show off her natural beauty and fit physique as well.

Alexandra Returns to Horror in We Have Always Lived in the Castle

In 2018, Daddario’s fans saw her return to horror in the feature film adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Alexandra starred alongside Taissa Farmiga. Since both actresses had brief stints on American Horror Story, they must have enjoyed comparing notes on set.

In the film, Daddario and Farmiga play two girls living with their uncle following a family loss. When a distant relative arrives with the intention of pilfering the family fortune, his willingness to reveal a dark family secret threatens the lives of everyone in the home.

Alexandra Daddario is No Final Girl

In 2019, We Summon the Darkness was released, quickly becoming a favorite among horror fans. In the film, Alexandra plays the de facto leader of a trio of girls. While it seems as though the girls are about to become easy prey at a musical festival, the tables get unexpectedly turned.

Mayfair Witches Casts Alexandra Daddario in the Leading Role

Over the past three years, Ms. Daddario has appeared in a number of films, including Songbird, Die in a Gunfight, and Wildflower. She has also appeared in several scripted shows, such as The White Lotus and Why Women Kill.

This year, Alexandra has created buzz with her starring role in the adaptation of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches.

The first season, comprised of eight episodes, revolves around Rowan Fielding (Daddario) seeking out her biological mother. Through her quest, she discovers a magical world and feels compelled to claim her heritage as a witch.

What’s Next for Alexandra Daddario?

Even though Mayfair Witches kept Alexandra Daddario busy in recent months, she’s not one to sit still. Coming up next, she’ll star alongside Cole Sprouse (Riverdale) and Amy Landecker (Transparent) in I Wish You All the Best. The drama will follow a teen’s exploration of life and her place in it after being kicked out of her parents’ home.