The Talented Thora Birch
From child actor to handling older roles extremely well today, Thora Birch has arrived. She’s grown up under the arc lights, been in the spotlight, and Hollywood has been her playground. Her parents are no strangers to the world of movies – having starred in a number of them in the adult genre. They are the ones who manage her screen career and what Thora Birch has achieved is admirable because she has made her mark in mainstream cinema, often alongside really great actors.
Her name for one, is unusual. Why Thora? Where is that from? Well, from her Nordic roots, in all probability. Thora has Italian, Jewish and Nordic blood flowing through her veins and what great stunning looks that has served up! The family name was from her German-Jewish side – Biersch – which was changed to Birch. And Thora is the feminized form of the Norse god of thunder, Thor. That is probably because she was born on a Thursday!
Her acting career began as a child when she appeared in TV commercials, mainly raisins, pickles and oats. Then she won a small role on TV and went on to winning a film award for her acting in Purple People Eater. From here, she went on to movies with more and more meaty roles, starring with great stars. From Paradise to Hocus Pocus to Patriot Games to Clear and Present Danger. Then, there was Now and Then, Alaska and of course, the role that shot her into the limelight, American Beauty. She plays the daughter in the film and this really was her launching pad to more substantial roles. It was also perhaps a bridge between her younger characters and a more adult character. Her role as Jane Burnham won her nominations and awards and set her feet firmly on the escalator moving up in Hollywood’s tinsel town.
Then came a couple of roles with a lead role in Ghost World and one could say that Thora Birch had arrived. She’s been used to the adulation, the lights, the buzz that surrounds the movie world. However, though she had proved her mettle in several roles, this perhaps was the clincher when she walked down the red carpet to world renown and recognition. With her path being set, not just on the road to acting but the road to stardom, Thora has the world before her as well as at her feet.