Malina Weissman, a talented young actress born in New York City in 2003, started making waves in the entertainment industry at an early age. Malina Weissman began her journey by stepping into the shoes of younger versions of iconic comic book characters—a role that would set the tone for her promising career. It was Malina Weissman who first captured attention playing the younger April O’Neill in the 2014 live-action reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, portraying the formative years of Megan Fox’s fearless reporter. Not long after, Malina Weissman took on another youthful counterpart, this time embodying a young Melissa Benoist in the CW’s beloved superhero series Supergirl (2015–).
Around the same time, Malina Weissman showcased her range with a recurring role as Renee Epstein, the witty niece of Billy Eichner’s character, in the sharp-tongued Hulu comedy Difficult People (2015–). She also made notable appearances on the big screen—first as an imaginative fantasy companion to drag performer Scott Townsend in the indie biopic Thirsty (2016), and later as Rebecca Brand, the daughter of Kevin Spacey’s character, in the quirky family film Nine Lives (2016).
But it was Malina Weissman’s breakout role that truly defined her trajectory. Cast as Violet Baudelaire—the intelligent, inventive eldest sibling—in Netflix’s episodic adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017–), Malina Weissman starred alongside Louis Hynes and Presley Smith in a performance that blended emotional depth with quiet resilience. This role not only highlighted Malina Weissman’s growing talent but also solidified her place in contemporary television. From her early days with New York Models—following in the footsteps of her model mother—to landing major roles by age eight, Malina Weissman has steadily built a diverse and compelling body of work.
When it comes to Malina Weissman’s acting career, her highest rated film so far has been Ick (2024), which really showcased her growth and talent. Fans and critics alike have praised Malina Weissman for her performance in that project, noting how she brought depth and authenticity to the role. On the other hand, one of the lower points in her filmography appears to be Nine Lives (2016), which didn’t receive the same level of acclaim. While Malina Weissman was younger at the time, it’s clear how much she’s evolved since then. Overall, Malina Weissman continues to build an impressive body of work, with each role adding a new layer to her versatility as an actress.