Elissa Sursara Biography

I grew up beside the beach... my school was five minutes from my house. My life was beautiful, but simple too. To tell someone you want to move to New York and be an actor, they just don't take that too seriously around here. - Elissa Sursara

For Elissa Sursara, a 5 ft 5 high school honor student born in Northern Sydney's Avalon Beaches to first generation Brazilian immigrants, following her passion for entertainment all the way to Hollywood never seemed like a possibility. Says the actress, "I'm the girl by the beach, you know? I never, ever, thought that I'd get an opportunity like this."

Landing her first televised gig in a Pepsi commercial at age 11, after school bullies volunteered her to fill in for an absent student in a class play, alerting Head of her school's Art Department to Elissa's talent, the blue eyed starlet found herself on and off Australian television through-out high school, finding work in minor guest roles, starring roles, music videos and commercials until her final year of schooling. Reportedly knocking back a lead role to study for her final high school exams, Elissa graduated high school with honors and acceptance to YALE University as an international student, but recalls making the tough, and life-changing decision, to pursue acting. "I didn't want to be the person that looked back on life and regretted never trying," she says, "I know a lot of people look back and wish - I guess I just didn't want to wish."

When spotted on an episode of Brothers & Sisters by writer and director Catherine Hardwicke, Elissa found herself sought after for the lead role in a 'Lolita' inspired 2009 film 'Age Aint Nothin But a Number', and became the subject of behind-the-scenes hype amongst a flurry of prestigious Hollywood directors. With enough upcoming film credits to last her the next 3 years in Hollywood, Elissa Sursara, anticipated to be one of the greatest Hollywood imports since Eric Bana and Nicole Kidman, claims "I'm not getting too comfortable. The second you think you've got it in the bag is the second you lose it all."

For the long-haired brunette and relative newcomer, press attention hasn't been scarce. Romantically, but falsely linked to prominent tattoo artist Ami James as well as mobster offspring Frank Gotti Agnello, Australian footballer Craig Wing and a multitude of other Hollywood males, Elissa maintains her private demeanor, saying "I've never really felt the need to 'share' things with people that I don't really know... I don't see myself ever really telling a journalist about my love life or my family."