Mikey Madison

Mikaela Madison Rosberg, professionally known as Mikey Madison, is an American actress born on March 25, 1999. She is widely recognized for her work across television and film, notably starring in the comedy-drama series Better Things and feature films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream. Her leading performance in the 2024 film Anora brought her major global recognition, earning her an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.

Madison was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is the fourth of five children born to parents Michael and Tracy Rosberg, both of whom worked as psychologists. Raised in a secular Jewish household, she spent her early years in Santa Clarita before her family moved to Woodland Hills. She was homeschooled after completing seventh grade. Madison initially trained as a competitive horseback rider before transitioning to acting at age fourteen. Growing up, she spent much of her time watching films by prominent directors including Woody Allen, Sofia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese.

She began her professional acting career in 2013 with roles in short films such as Retirement and Pani's Box, followed by Bound for Greatness in 2014. That same year, she filmed her feature debut, Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, which was released in 2017. Madison secured her first major role in 2016 as the character Max Fox in the FX series Better Things, a production that ran until 2022. During this period, she guest-starred on the television series Imposters and appeared in the 2018 drama films Monster and Nostalgia.

Madison earned broader recognition in 2019 for portraying Manson Family member Susan "Sadie" Atkins in Quentin Tarantino's period drama Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and achieved commercial success. That same year, she voiced a character in the animated feature The Addams Family. In 2022, she starred as Amber Freeman in the box-office success Scream. She later appeared in a supporting role in the miniseries Lady in the Lake.

Her breakthrough came in 2024 when filmmaker Sean Baker cast her as the title character in the comedy-drama Anora. Baker wrote the role specifically for Madison after viewing her previous film performances. To prepare, Madison studied Russian, learned pole dancing, performed her own stunts, and temporarily relocated to Brighton Beach. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and her portrayal gained widespread critical acclaim. For her performance, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, alongside nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Following her award recognition, Madison guest-hosted Saturday Night Live in March 2025 and was subsequently cast in feature projects including Reptilia and The Social Reckoning. Based in Los Angeles, she adheres to a vegan diet and describes herself as a spiritual person. She chooses not to use social media, citing a preference for privacy and personal well-being.