Marissa Bode

Marissa Bode
Bode in 2024
Born (2000-08-28) August 28, 2000 (age 24)[1]
Mazomanie, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materAmerican Musical and Dramatic Academy
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active2013–present
Notable work
PartnerLauren Brooks (2023–present)

Marissa Bode (/ˈboʊ.diː/ BOH-dee; born August 28, 2000[2]) is an American actress. She made her feature film debut in the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked as Nessarose Thropp.

Early life and education

Bode was born in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. At the age of 11, she became disabled following a car crash, and has since used a wheelchair for mobility. She started acting at school and in local productions and her first role was an orphan in The Prince and the Pauper.[3]

She graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and lives in Los Angeles.[4]

Career

Stage

Bode has performed onstage since the age of eight in local productions such as Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins.[5]

Films and television

Bode wrote, directed, and produced her first short film in 2021, called You're Adorable.

In 2022 it was announced she would play Nessarose, Elphaba's sister and the Wicked Witch of the East, in the Wicked film adaptations, making her feature film debut. She made history for being the first wheelchair user to play the character, who also uses a wheelchair.[6] Bode shared her excitement for the role and for being able to represent disabled women of color in the film: "To be that representation for not only disabled people but disabled people of color is so exciting and so surreal".[7] She also praised the accessibility of the Wicked set, finding it to have been designed with a wheelchair user in mind. The set had a disability coordinator, Chantelle Nassari, who is also a wheelchair user, who would visit sets before Bode to anticipate any issues Bode might have around the set so they could be fixed beforehand.[8] Director Jon M. Chu stated that making the set accessible was "one of the most enlightening and beautiful processes I've ever gone through. You need accessibility, not just when we're on set behind the scenes, but you need to present accessibility in Oz itself."[9]

As part of the marketing campaign for the film, Mattel, one of the collaborating brands, released seven dolls of the main characters including Elphaba, Glinda and Nessarose with removable outfits and accessories and built in the likenesses of the actors.[10]

Personal life

Since September 2023, Bode has been in a relationship with her partner Lauren Brooks.[11]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Carsleepers Cassie Hairston Short
2019 No Roles Written Kalliope Short
2021 You're Adorable Short - writer, director and producer
2024 Wicked Nessarose "Nessa" Thropp Nominated for Astra Film Award for Best Cast Ensemble
2025 Wicked: Part Two Post-production

References

  1. ^ @marissa_edob (2019-08-28). "I'm 19 Ladieees! Here's some selfies of me as an 18 year old that are taking up space on my phone (these all look the same but are we surprised)" – via Instagram.
  2. ^ @marissa_edob (2019-08-28). "I'm 19 Ladieees! Here's some selfies of me as an 18 year old that are taking up space on my phone (these all look the same but are we surprised)" – via Instagram.
  3. ^ Sharpe, Josh. "Interview: Marissa Bode's Journey to the Big Screen in WICKED". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  4. ^ Aarsvold, Marcus (2024-06-04). "Small town Wisconsin actress defies odds, makes it to the big screen in Wicked film". WMTV15. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  5. ^ Studio, Actors (2024-10-08). "Actress Marissa Bode Shines as Nessarose: A Milestone for Diversity and Inclusion in Hollywood Casting". Actors Studio. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  6. ^ Stephan, Katcy (2024-09-19). "Marissa Bode Teases Nessarose's Expanded Arc in 'Wicked' Films: 'She's Not Just the Bratty Little Spoiled Sister'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  7. ^ EDITOR (2024-10-04). "DIVA exclusive with Wicked's Marissa Bode". diva-magazine.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  8. ^ "Marissa Bode Says Wicked Crew Asked 'Right Questions,' Built Accessible Set: 'Safe Space' to Be 'Vulnerable' (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  9. ^ Carly Levy (2024-09-23). "'One Of The Most Enlightening And Beautiful Processes:' Wicked's Director Opens Up About Bringing Accessibility To The Big Screen For Nessarose". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  10. ^ "Mattel will release 'Wicked' dolls to coincide with film adaptation". Broadway News. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  11. ^ Comiter, Jordana (9 November 2024). "Meet the Real-Life Loves of the Wicked Movie Cast (Can You Guess Who Is Married to an Olympian?)". People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved 10 November 2024.