Age: 38
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.

Madeline Zima (born September 16, 1985) is an American actress. She is known for portraying Grace Sheffield on the CBS sitcom The Nanny (1993-1999), Mia Lewis on the Showtime comedy drama series Californication (2007-2011), and Gretchen Berg on the NBC series Heroes (2009-2010).[1]
Zima was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of Marie and Dennis. Her surname means "winter" in Polish and comes from her maternal grandfather, who was of Polish descent.[2] Zima has two younger sisters, Vanessa and Yvonne, both of whom are also actresses.[3]Zima began her career when she was two years old, after she was chosen as a child to appear in a television commercial for Downy fabric softener.[4]
From 1993 to 1999 she played the role of Grace Sheffield on the television show The Nanny throughout all of its six seasons. In 2007 and 2008 Zima played Mia Lewis, a sexually precocious and conniving 16-year-old, on the first two seasons of the series Californication and overall appeared at the series' episodes from 2007 to 2011. In promotion of Mia's book, Fucking & Punching, Zima starred in several Californication webisodes that are featured on YouTube. From 2009 to 2010, Zima joined the cast of Heroes as Gretchen Berg, Claire Bennet's quirky bisexual roommate and tentative love interest.[5]
Zima has also become known for her work in films such as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, A Cinderella Story, Dimples, Looking for Sunday, Once in a Very Blue Moon, Pretty Little Devils and The Collector.
Zima appeared as a guest star on several TV shows including Law & Order, JAG, and Touched by an Angel. She also guest starred in an episode of The Vampire Diaries, and in two episodes of the 2017 Twin Peaks revival playing Tracey Barberato. In 2012, she was cast in a co-starring role in the ABC drama pilot Gilded Lillys,[6] though the series was ultimately not picked up by ABC.
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | The Hand That Rocks the Cradle | Emma Bartel | |
1993 | Mr. Nanny | Kate Mason | |
1997 | 'Til There Was You | Gwen Moss (Age 12) | |
1998 | The Rose Sisters | ||
1998 | Second Chances | Melinda Judd | |
2004 | A Cinderella Story | Brianna | |
2006 | Looking for Sunday | Trisha | |
2008 | Pretty Little Devils | Zoey Martin | Direct-to-video film |
2008 | Dimples | Frances | |
2009 | The Collector | Jill Chase | |
2010 | Trance | Jessica | |
2010 | First Dates | Kelly | Direct-to-video film |
2011 | The Family Tree | Mitzy Steinbacher | |
2011 | A Monster in Paris | Maud | Voice role (English dub) |
2012 | Breaking the Girls | Alex Layton | |
2012 | Crazy Kind of Love | Annie | |
2012 | Crazy Eyes | Rebecca | |
2012 | Lake Effects | Lily | |
2014 | #Stuck | Holly | |
2014 | From A to B | Samantha | |
2015 | Weepah Way for Now | Lauren | |
2018 | Painkillers | Chloe Clarke |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | Law & Order | Samantha Silver | Episode: "Extended Family" |
1993-1999 | The Nanny | Grace Sheffield | Main role |
1996 | JAG | Cathy Gold | Episode: "Sightings" |
1997 | Touched by an Angel | Alexandra "Ally" | Episode: "Children of the Night" |
1999 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Katie | Episode: "Starlight, Star Bright" |
1999 | Chasing Secrets | Jo Ann Foley | Television film |
1999 | Lethal Vows | Danielle Farris | Television film |
2000 | The Sandy Bottom Orchestra | Rachel Green | Television film |
2001 | The Nightmare Room | Alexis Hall | 2 episodes |
2001 | King of the Hill | Voice role; 2 episodes | |
2001 | Gilmore Girls | Lisa | Episode: "Like Mother, Like Daughter" |
2003 | 7th Heaven | Alice Miller | Episode: "Go Ask Alice" |
2003 | Lucy | Teen Lucille Ball | Television film |
2004 | Strong Medicine | Pam | Episode: "Like Cures Like" |
2006 | 3 lbs | Cassie Mack | Episode: "Lost for Words" |
2007 | Ghost Whisperer | Maddy Strom | Episode: "Mean Ghost" |
2007 | Grey's Anatomy | Marissa | Episode: "Forever Young" |
2007-2011 | Californication | Mia Lewis | Main role (seasons 1-2), 28 episodes |
2009-2010 | Heroes | Gretchen Berg | Recurring role, 11 episodes |
2010 | My Boys | Ashley | Episode: "Be a Man!" |
2010 | My Own Love Song | Billie | Television film (Lifetime) |
2011 | Royal Pains | Toby Thompson | Episode: "Me First" |
2012 | The Vampire Diaries | Charlotte | Episode: "We'll Always Have Bourbon Street" |
2013 | Gilded Lilys | Abigail | Unsold television pilot |
2013-2014 | Betas | Jordan Alexis | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
2015 | Grimm | Emily Troyer | Episode: "Maiden Quest" |
2015 | Agent X | Brenda Pelton / Molly | Episode: "Truth, Lies and Consequences" |
2016 | I Am Watching You | Nora | Television film |
2017 | Twin Peaks | Tracey Barberato | 2 episodes |
She was nominated three times for a YoungStar Award at the YoungStar Awards, in 1995, 1997 and 1999 all of them for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series for The Nanny (1993).
She was also nominated thirteen times for a Young Artist Award at the Young Artist Awards:
[ Source: Wikipedia ]