Leah Lewis

Leah Lewis (born December 9, 1996[1][2][3][4]) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Georgia "George" Fan in The CW series adaptation of Nancy Drew (2019–2023) and Ellie Chu in the Netflix comedy-drama film The Half of It (2020). She also has starred in her voice lead role as Ember Lumen in the Pixar animated film Elemental (2023).

Leah Lewis
Lewis in July 2023
Born (1996-12-09) December 9, 1996 (age 27)
Shanghai, China
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress
Years active2005–present

Early life and education

Lewis was adopted from an orphanage in Shanghai when she was eight months old and raised in Windermere, Florida.[5] Her younger, non-biologically related sister, Lydia, was later adopted from the same orphanage. Their parents, Frederick and Lorraine Lewis, are both realtors.[6]

Leah discovered performing arts at Crenshaw School in Orlando, Florida. She attended Thornebrooke Elementary School in Ocoee, Florida and Southwest Middle School in Orlando. She and her mother moved back and forth between Los Angeles and Orlando during her teen years. At 17, she went back to Orlando to finish high school at Olympia High School and then moved back to Los Angeles by herself at 20.[7]

Career

At a young age, Lewis started acting in commercials. Once her family moved to Los Angeles, she acted in the 2012 Nickelodeon film, Fred 3: Camp Fred as the character Spoon.[7]

Leah Lewis at The CW 2019 Upfront Red Carpet

In 2013, she auditioned for the fourth season of The Voice, singing "Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood. None of the coaches turned their chairs, meaning that she did not make it onto the show.[5][8]

In 2015 and 2016, she was featured in the Disney shows Best Friends Whenever and Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything.[7] She also was a main character on season 2 of the Michelle Trachtenberg-produced Go90 web series, Guidance.[9] Once she moved back to Los Angeles after graduating from high school, she began booking roles in TV shows like Station 19 and The Good Doctor. She had a recurring role in The CW series Charmed. She then later joined the main cast of another The CW show, a 2019 TV adaptation of Nancy Drew on which she plays Georgia "George" Fan, based on the original character George Fayne.[7]

Her first major film role was as the lead character, Ellie Chu, in the 2020 Netflix film, The Half of It.[10][1][11] She starred alongside Mamoudou Athie in the 2023 Pixar animated film Elemental directed by Peter Sohn, which she voiced the character Ember Lumen in her main role of the film.[12][13][14][15] She also has joined the cast in the 2024 Paramount animated film The Tiger's Apprentice, where she voiced Räv.[16][17]

Personal life

Beyond acting, Lewis sings, plays guitar, and does photography.[18][19] In May 2016, she began dating singer and actor Payson Lewis.[20][21] The couple coincidentally share the same last name.[22][23]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007NankingBanner Girl
2020The Half of ItEllie Chu
How to Deter a RobberHeather Williams
2023ElementalEmber Lumen (voice)[13]
2024The Tiger's ApprenticeRäv (voice)[17]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006The New Adventures of Old ChristineTessEpisode: "The Passion of the Christine"
PaloozavilleLeah
2012Fred 3: Camp FredSpoonTelevision film
Madison HighPeyton HallPilot
2013The VoiceHerself - ContestantBlind Auditions
2015–2016Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much EverythingLika2 episodes
2016Best Friends WheneverAlexEpisode: "Girl Code" 
2018Light as a FeatherGabby DarwishEpisode: "Innocent as a Lamb" 
The Good DoctorKatherine "Kitty" KwonEpisode: "Tough Titmouse"
CharmedAngela Wu3 episodes
2018–2019Station 19Shannon2 episodes
2019The GiftedYoung ClariceEpisode: "home"
2019–2023Nancy DrewGeorgia "George" FanMain role
2021It's PonyMax (voice)2 episodes
2022–presentBatwheelsCassandra Cain / Batgirl (voice)Main role

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016Sing It!Sophie ChuRecurring role; 6 episodes
Teens ReactHerself2 episodes
GuidanceLiddyMain role (season 2)
2018My Dead ExAmberEpisode: "The Z Word" 

Music videos

SongYearArtistNotes
"Love Generation"2005Bob Sinclar featuring Gary Pine[24]

Awards and nominations

  Year  Award  Category  Work  Result Ref.
2013Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot - Leading ActressFred 3: Camp FredNominated[25]
2016Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring ActressGamer's Guide to Pretty Much EverythingNominated[26]
Young Entertainer AwardsBest Guest Starring Young Actress - Television SeriesBest Friends WheneverNominated[27]

References

External links