Mikey Madison’s Career Before ‘Anora’: The TV and Movie Roles That Built an Oscar Winner

Today, Mikey Madison is recognized worldwide as the Academy Award-winning star of Anora. However, long before her breakthrough collaboration with filmmaker Sean Baker, the Los Angeles-born actress spent more than a decade building an impressive résumé through television dramas, independent films, and major Hollywood productions.

As Madison prepares for new milestones in her career, including high-profile appearances and expanding opportunities in film, many fans are discovering that her journey to Oscar success began years earlier with a series of carefully crafted performances.

From Horseback Riding to Acting

Born on March 25, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, Mikey Madison did not initially plan on becoming an actress.

Growing up, she was deeply involved in competitive horseback riding and spent much of her childhood at the barn. The sport became a major part of her daily life, and she was homeschooled to accommodate her riding schedule.

But by the age of 14, Madison found herself drawn toward acting and storytelling. After enrolling in acting classes and securing professional representation, she quickly began auditioning for projects.

Her determination paid off when she landed her first screen credits in 2013.

Early Acting Roles

Madison’s earliest performances came through short films, including:

• Retirement (2013)
• Pani’s Box (2013)

While these projects received limited mainstream attention, they provided valuable experience and helped launch her professional acting career.

Breakthrough Success With ‘Better Things’

Madison’s first major career breakthrough arrived when she was cast as Max Fox in the acclaimed FX comedy-drama series Better Things.

Created by Pamela Adlon, the series followed a single mother raising three daughters while balancing a demanding career in entertainment.

Madison portrayed the eldest daughter, Max, throughout the show’s run from 2016 to 2022.

The role became a defining chapter in her development as an actress. Over six seasons, audiences watched both the character and performer mature, while Madison gained firsthand experience working alongside one of television’s most respected creative voices.

In later interviews, Madison described the series as her equivalent of film school because it provided years of practical training in front of the camera.

The ‘Modern Family’ Connection

One lesser-known credit in Madison’s early television career involves the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family.

She was cast as a character named Becca in the show’s seventh-season premiere. Although production photos from the episode exist, her scene was reportedly removed from the final broadcast.

While viewers may not have seen her appearance on screen, the role remains an interesting footnote in her early acting journey.

During this period, Madison also appeared in:

• Imposters (Bravo)
• Various independent television projects

Each role helped expand her experience and industry visibility.

Expanding Into Film

As her television profile grew, Madison simultaneously began building a film career.

Among her notable early film appearances were:

Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017)

The coming-of-age drama gave Madison one of her earliest substantial film roles and allowed her to showcase emotional depth beyond television work.

Nostalgia (2018)

Madison joined an ensemble cast in the drama exploring loss, memory, and personal connection through interconnected stories.

Monster (2018)

The courtroom drama further expanded her range and introduced her to larger audiences.

Working With Quentin Tarantino

A major turning point arrived in 2019 when Madison joined Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

She portrayed Susan Atkins, one of the members of the Manson Family featured in the film’s climactic sequence.

Although the role was supporting, her performance attracted attention from critics and filmmakers.

Years later, Sean Baker would cite Madison’s work in both Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream as key reasons he believed she was capable of carrying Anora.

Voice Acting and Genre Films

Madison expanded her résumé further by lending her voice to the animated feature The Addams Family (2019).

The project introduced her to family audiences and demonstrated her versatility beyond live-action performances.

‘Scream’ Opened New Doors

In 2022, Madison appeared in the fifth installment of the iconic horror franchise Scream.

Her portrayal of Amber Freeman became one of the film’s most memorable performances and significantly increased her visibility among mainstream movie audiences.

The role ultimately proved career-changing.

According to multiple interviews, it was Madison’s work in Scream that prompted Sean Baker to contact her about a future project that would eventually become Anora.

Without Scream, one of the most important opportunities of her career may never have materialized.

Leading Roles Before ‘Anora’

Before stepping into awards-season history, Madison continued to pursue challenging dramatic work.

One notable project was the thriller-drama All Souls, where she played a young single mother navigating difficult circumstances.

The performance further demonstrated her ability to lead a film emotionally and dramatically.

‘Lady in the Lake’

In 2024, Madison starred in the acclaimed thriller miniseries Lady in the Lake.

The project added another significant television credit to her growing résumé and arrived shortly before the release of Anora.

By this stage, Madison had established herself as one of Hollywood’s most promising young performers.

The Role That Changed Everything

Everything changed with Anora.

Sean Baker’s film follows Ani, a Brooklyn sex worker whose whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch leads to unexpected consequences.

To prepare for the role, Madison immersed herself in extensive research, studied Russian, trained in dance, and spent time understanding the environment and community depicted in the film.

The performance received universal acclaim.

The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, earned major awards recognition, and ultimately secured Madison her first Academy Award for Best Actress.

It transformed her from a respected working actress into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

What Comes Next?

With an Oscar victory now on her résumé, Madison enters the next phase of her career with unprecedented momentum.

She has repeatedly emphasized her desire to choose projects carefully, focusing on meaningful stories and emotionally complex characters rather than simply pursuing high-profile opportunities.

That approach helped shape the journey that led to Anora—and may define what comes next.

Cinefly Take

Mikey Madison’s rise to Hollywood’s highest level did not happen overnight.

From short films and television guest appearances to acclaimed performances in Better Things, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Scream, and Lady in the Lake, every step contributed to the breakthrough success of Anora.

Her story is a reminder that many “overnight successes” are actually built through years of dedication, persistence, and steady artistic growth.

Now, with an Oscar in hand and Hollywood paying close attention, Mikey Madison’s career appears to be only getting started.