Dawn Stern
Birthday:
1966, Japan
Height:
173 cm
Dawn was born into drama on a US Air Force base in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan. She was raised in a small town in Southern Illinois- the land of barns and farms. Books were her salvation. Shakespeare her first love. Dawn wrote her first play in 5th grade using the story of Snow White to explain the importance of trees for an Arbor Day celebration. Hono...
Show more »
Dawn was born into drama on a US Air Force base in Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan. She was raised in a small town in Southern Illinois- the land of barns and farms. Books were her salvation. Shakespeare her first love. Dawn wrote her first play in 5th grade using the story of Snow White to explain the importance of trees for an Arbor Day celebration. Honor society meant St. Louis Cardinal tickets and a chance to go to the 'big' city. She caught the acting bug getting a laugh on her high school stage playing Hedy La Rue in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". She felt the energy exchange between herself and the audience and reports it was intoxicating. Off stage, she was a shy outsider but on stage she felt like she finally belonged somewhere.The biology major she spent two years working on went out the window as she graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a BS in Theatre Performance and Broadcast Communications (TV/Radio). She earned her AFTRA card doing commercials and Equity card with the St. Louis Repertory Theatre. Then, Dawn moved to the 'windy city' upstate in search of a SAG card.In Chicago, she watched Jordan win three championships and 'refrigerator' Perry run one in for a touchdown. Dawn scored a breakthrough, earning her SAG card with national commercials for 7-Up, McDonalds, and Sears. After five years,a hundred industrials, fifty conventions, eleven wins on Star Search, one of nine finalists in Revelon's Unforgettable Women Campaign and one divorce later, she was off to conquer Los Angeles.In Los Angeles, Dawn came into her own. Her credits won't fit on her resume even when using small font. After six pilots, three television series regular gigs, and over twenty-five guest star appearances, the most important aspects aren't listed on there at all.Los Angeles is where she traveled, experimented, loved, lost, learned, and matured into a multi-faceted person and a multi-talented actor. She's paid her dues and earned the respect of her peers. Her professional code of conduct boils down to getting to set on time, knowing her lines and saving the drama for behind the camera. The rest of the work is pure play to her. She traveled across the country to marry the boy next door. Dawn and her husband run a not-for-profit for veterans called The Veterans Center for the Performing Arts. They mentor veterans teaching them Shakespeare and producing their original works to aid their transition from service life back to civilian. Thrilling work. She is proud of her journey, loves being an artist and could be seen tooling around Hollywood on Cleo -her purple 600 cc motorcycle. Dawn continues her work in theater and the VCPA and currently resides in New York with her husband. Show less «
On her mixed parentage: "My mother is Scottish Norwegian, my father was most likely Creole - there was a lot of mixing: Native American, Fre...Show more »
On her mixed parentage: "My mother is Scottish Norwegian, my father was most likely Creole - there was a lot of mixing: Native American, French, African." Show less «
On being a 'love child': "My story is something that would rival anything you see on daytime dramas."
On being a 'love child': "My story is something that would rival anything you see on daytime dramas."
On feeling like an 'outsider' growing up: "When you're torn between trying to fit in and knowing you don't and never will, but not knowing h...Show more »
On feeling like an 'outsider' growing up: "When you're torn between trying to fit in and knowing you don't and never will, but not knowing how to be comfortable on the outside." Show less «
On knowing early on she wanted to act: Even at the age of three I just knew. When I first saw other children on television I told my mother ...Show more »
On knowing early on she wanted to act: Even at the age of three I just knew. When I first saw other children on television I told my mother that I could do that before I knew the word actor. And the first time I got a laugh on stage, I was filled with an overwhelming sensation that this, at last, was where I belonged. Show less «
On science fiction shows and female characters: "I was excited to finally be allowed to step outside the pretty girl roles and play a woman ...Show more »
On science fiction shows and female characters: "I was excited to finally be allowed to step outside the pretty girl roles and play a woman who is as much a tomboy as I am." Show less «
Regarding her LA work: I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to play characters who can exercise an intellect as easily as an emotional...Show more »
Regarding her LA work: I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to play characters who can exercise an intellect as easily as an emotional life and who are not hemmed in by the stereotypes that so often haunt women of color. Show less «
Dawn Stern's Photos
