As an actress, Ariana Richards has worked in the industry since her television commercial debut (as a ballerina) at the age of seven and acting debut in 1987’s Into the Homeland.
Ariana with Steven Spielberg on the set of Jurassic Park.
Since then, Ariana has starred in many films and television shows throughout the 80’s and 90’s. Her most notable starring role was as “Lex Murphy” in Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1993 film, Jurassic Park; a role she briefly reprized in the 1997 sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park.
Ariana has also starred in many classic feature films alongside cast members such as Kevin Bacon in Tremors (1990), Kathy Bates and George C. Scott in Angus (1995), Jeff Daniels in Timescape (1991) and the 1990 sci-fi adventure comedy, Spaced Invaders. beloved television shows such as The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Boy Meets World.
Notable TV appearances have included guest starring roles on Empty Nest (1988), My Sister Sam (1986) and The Golden Girls (1985) and starring roles in the tele-films Broken Silence: A Moment of Truth Movie (1998) and The Princess Stallion (1997).
In 1991, Ariana won the Young Actors Award as “Best Young Actress Starring in a TV movie”, for her memorable role in the season’s biggest ratings hit, Switched at Birth (1991). She won the same award in 1992 for her role in the CBS, Locked Up: A Mother’s Rage (1991). In 1993, Ariana received the International Youth in Film Award: Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture, and The Bambi Award, both for her role in Jurassic Park.
In addition to acting in films, Ariana starred in the 1998 music video “Brick” by Ben Folds Five.
Whether she’s working on a busy, noisy sound-stage, or quietly painting in her studio, one thing is certain; Ariana Richards is one of the most accomplished artists of her generation.
Film Highlights
Filmography
Ariana Richards | SAG-AFTRA
Film
| FILM | ROLE | DIRECTOR |
|---|---|---|
| PRINCESS STALLION | LEAD | MARK HABER |
| THE LOST WORLD | CAMEO | STEVEN SPIELBERG |
| ANGUS | LEAD | PATRICK JOHNSON |
| JURASSIC PARK* | LEAD | STEVEN SPIELBERG |
| TIMESCAPE | LEAD | DAVID TWOHY |
| PRANCER | LEAD | JOHN HANCOCK |
| TREMORS | LEAD | RON UNDERWOOD |
| SPACED INVADERS | LEAD | PATRICK JOHNSON |
Television
| FILM | ROLE | DIRECTOR |
|---|---|---|
| BROKEN SILENCE | LEAD | JOE SCANLIN |
| TOTAL SECURTIY | GUEST STAR | DUANE CLARK |
| BOY MEETS WORLD | GUEST STAR | JEFF McCRACKEN |
| BORN FREE II | LEAD/MOW | TOMMY L. WALLACE |
| WALTER & EMILY | GUEST STAR | JOHN RICH |
| AGAINST HER WILL | LEAD | DELBERT MANN |
| LOCKED UP*** | LEAD/MOW | BETHANY ROONEY |
| SWITCHED AT BIRTH** | LEAD (MINISERIES) | WARIS HUSSEIN |
| ISLAND SON (series) | LEAD | STAFF |
| EMPTY NEST | GUEST STAR | STEVE ZUCKERMAN |
| THE INCIDENT | LEAD/MOW | JOSEPH SARGENT |
| MY SISTER SAM | GUEST STAR | PETER BALDWIN |
| GOLDEN GIRLS | GUEST STAR | STAFF |
| INTO THE HOMELAND | LEAD | LESLIE L. GLATTER/HBO |
Theater/Voice
| FILM | ROLE | DIRECTOR |
|---|---|---|
| A MAGIC TO DO | LEAD | SAYHBER & DENNON RAWLES |
| BEN FOLD’S FIVE MUSIC VIDEO “BRICK” | LEAD | KEVIN BRAY |
| JAKE’S WOMEN | LEAD | NEIL SIMON |
| FIRST LOVE | SINGER | JOEY CARBONE |
| CAPITOL CRITTERS | LEAD VOICEOVER | GORDON HUNT/ANIMATION |
| KIBBLES & BITS | VOICEOVER | COMMERCIAL/ TV |
| FACE OF THE ENEMY | VOICEOVER | TONY RICHARDSON/ TV |
Awards
- 1994 | Favorite Newcomer, Japan*
- 1994 | Favorite Newcomer, Australia*
- 1994 | Favorite Newcomer, United Kingdom*
- 1993 | The Bambi Award*
- 1993 | International Youth in Film Award: Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture*
- 1992 | International Youth in Film Award: Best Young Actress in a Television Movie***
- 1991 | International Youth in Film Award: Best Young Actress in a Mini Series **
Training
VOICEOVER – SINGING – DIALECTS – DANCE