Madeline Carroll

Madeline Carroll is an American actress and model who began her career in commercial modeling before transitioning to film and television roles. She is best known for her performances as Molly Johnson in Swing Vote, Farren in The Spy Next Door, Juli Baker in Flipped, Janie Popper in Mr. Popper's Penguins, and Willow O'Neil in The Magic of Belle Isle.

Carroll began modeling at the age of three. When she was four years old, she was discovered by a theatrical agent named Wendy in a Sherman Oaks nail shop. Following this discovery, she appeared in numerous commercials for major brands and companies, including Allstate, Chef Boyardee, Kmart, Mr. Clean, Subway, Super 8 Motels, and Target Corporation.

She made her feature film debut in the 2006 horror film When a Stranger Calls. After taking on minor roles in project such as The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and Resident Evil: Extinction, she secured her first major co-starring role alongside Kevin Costner in the 2008 film Swing Vote. In 2010, she appeared alongside Jackie Chan in The Spy Next Door and starred in the Rob Reiner-directed film adaptation of Wendelin Van Draanen's novel, Flipped, a performance that earned her critical acclaim.

Throughout 2011 and 2012, Carroll continued to secure film roles, appearing in Mr. Popper's Penguins, Machine Gun Preacher, and The Magic of Belle Isle. Around the age of 15, she began refusing offers for nude or promiscuous roles due to her personal beliefs. For personal reasons, she also turned down an expanded role in the television series Scandal in 2014, having previously appeared in two episodes of the show.

At age 19, Carroll considered leaving acting after being told by her agent that nude roles were necessary for a Hollywood career. However, following a personal prayer for guidance, she was offered a role the next day in the Christian film God Bless the Broken Road. She subsequently focused on faith-based projects, starring in the 2018 films I Can Only Imagine and Pure Flix's Indivisible.

In 2019, Carroll won the Golden Angel award for Excellent Young Performing Artist of U.S. at the 15th Chinese American Film Festival in Los Angeles. Following her role in I Can Only Imagine, she partnered with the Erwin Brothers' studio, Kingdom Story Company, to pursue filmmaking. She made her screenwriting debut by co-writing the script for the studio's first production, I Still Believe, alongside Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, which was released in March 2020. A devout Christian, Carroll frequently discusses her faith in interviews and at religious events.