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So, you think your favorite cartoon character sounds familiar? Well, you’re certainly not alone. That’s because the voice you’re hearing is
very likely that of LARA JILL MILLER, the talented
actress who has gained the industry’s attention as a premier voice talent.
You’ll probably recognize her face as well.
That’s because she spent 6 seasons in your living room, in perhaps her
best known role on the hit NBC sit-com GIMME A BREAK. Although a stage veteran since the age of
eight (she appeared on Broadway alongside the legendary Dick Van Dyke in THE
MUSIC MAN), it was the role of leggy tomboy “SAMANTHA” that etched
her face (and that voice!) into the minds and hearts of TV viewers
everywhere.
But despite being much in demand after her series’ lengthy run, this dynamic
teen was determined not to become just another casualty of the Hollywood
lifestyle that had wreaked havoc on so many of her peers. Deciding it was time to ‘give herself
a break’ - she was determined to finish her education.
After graduating from NYU with a degree in Politics and French (Dean’s List,
Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, Varsity Tennis), she went on to obtain her JURIS
DOCTOR from FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW - passing the Bar Exam in three states
(NY, NJ & PA).
Between classes Lara continued to cultivate her passion for acting,
maintaining an active theatre and voiceover career. Even while pursuing her studies, she was regularly accepting
theatre offers on the east coast - the title role in JERRY
FINNEGAN’S SISTER, the U.S. premiere of THE DALY NEWS,
Neil Simon’s BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. She even flew as PETER PAN in
the musical of the same name, leaving her law school graduation early to
catch that flight to Never Never Land!
An accomplished singer, upon her return to L.A. Lara was selected to sing the role of “DOROTHY” on NPR’s acclaimed adaptation of the classic THE
WIZARD OF OZ (alongside Annette Bening, John Goodman, Rene
Auberjonois, and Robert Guillaume). Over
the next two seasons she became familiar to kids everywhere as “KATHY” on
NICKELODEON’s THE AMANDA SHOW,
and in a similar stint on the NICK hit ALL THAT. More recently she could be seen in the
role of “KATE WHITAKER” on GENERAL HOSPITAL. All the while she was continuing to star as
the voice of “KARI” on the hit animated series DIGIMON for 3
seasons, along with its accompanying feature film.
Space doesn’t allow for a complete list of her voice credits, but you can listen for her as “OLIVIA” in NICKELODEON’s ALL GROWN UP
(she gives Tommy Pickles his first kiss), as "JULIE," the long-lost
sister in CN's HI HI PUFFY AMI YUMI, and doing triple duty as
"WIKI," "TINI" and "POOKIE" on DISNEY CHANNEL'S HIGGLYTOWN
HEROES.
Currently, Lara is
excited to be voicing some of her favorite roles to date: “CLIFFORD THE LITTLE
RED PUPPY,” the celebrated red canine in the award-winning PBS series
CLIFFORD’S PUPPY DAYS (opposite Henry Winkler as his friend
Norville the bird), the title role of “JUNIPER LEE” in THE LIFE AND
TIMES OF JUNIPER LEE for CARTOON NETWORK, and the problem-solving, tool-toting "WIDGET"
on the new series WOW WOW WUBBZY for NICK JR.
Lara is an example of how the combination of talent, perseverance and
diversity can lead to long-term success. The public certainly sees (and
hears) it - she has a strong fan base, and nearly every day Lara is
recognized on the street, her name a frequent buzz on many popular web sites.
With her solid credits and great acting chops, she will impress and delight
you.
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