Full Name: Summer Bishil Nick Names: Summi, Sum Occupation: Actress Date of Birth: July 17, 1988 Place of Birth: Pasadena, California, USA Age: 20 Height: 5' 3˝" (1.61 m) Hair / Eyes: Brown / Brown Nationality: North-American Ethnicity: German, Scottish, Mexican, and East Indian

Bishil was born in Pasadena, California to an American mother and a father who is a Saudi citizen of Indian descent. She is the youngest in a family of three children (two daughters, one son). She lived in Pasadena until she was three when her family moved to Saudi Arabia and then to Bahrain.

The family relocated to Bahrain where she was attending the U.S. Department of Defense School, the Bahrain School, when September 11, 2001 attacks happened, prompting her family to return to the United States.

Bishil, her brother and mother returned to Southern California when she was fourteen, where she completed an independent study program for high school. But returning to the United States was not easy at first. "I initially had some tough times trying to assimilate. It really makes you think about who you are and where you’re at."

In love with the idea of becoming an actress since the age of five, Bishil was 14 before she took her first acting class. Nine months later, a manager and agency signed her to a contract. Her first role was on a short-lived Nickelodeon show, Just for Kicks followed by several appearances in kids shows before her break-through performance in Towelhead. Bob Strauss who writes for several Los Angeles newspapers states that Bishil, " is one of the finest natural film actresses to emerge in years." Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times in a Sept 12 review of the movie Towelhead, states that, "newcomer Summer Bishil turns in a gutsy, quietly riveting performance as Jasira." In 2007, Bishil was chosen by Variety as one of the 10 Actors to watch. At the 2008 Young Hollywood Awards, Bishil was chosen as "One to Watch". She also appeared in Vanity Fair in their young Hollywood portfolio. Bishil was nominated for a Spirit Award in the best actress category for her role in Towelhead.

Next up Summer will be seen in Crossing Over, starring Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd. The film is a multi-character canvas about immigrants of different nationalities struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles. The film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures. It's due for limited release in late February.

Sources: IMDb, Wikipedia
Last Updated: February 2009