Fairuza Balk Biography: Age, Boyfriend, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Parents, Career

Fairuza Alejandra Feldthouse, known professionally as Fairuza Balk, is an American actress, musician, and visual artist celebrated for her distinctive portrayals of complex, often dark characters, most notably as Nancy Downs in the cult classic The Craft (1996), which earned her an MTV Movie Award.

With a career spanning over four decades, she debuted as Dorothy Gale in Disney’s Return to Oz (1985) and has starred in films like American History X (1998), The Waterboy (1998), and Almost Famous (2000).

Profile

• Full Name: Fairuza Alejandra Feldthouse
• Stage Name: Fairuza Balk
• Born: 21, May 1974
• Age: 50 years old
• Birthplace: Point Reyes, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Musician, Visual Artist
• Height: 1.60m
• Parents: Cathryn Balk, Solomon Feldthouse
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: None
• Boyfriends: David Thewlis (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Fairuza Alejandra Feldthouse was born on May 21, 1974, in Point Reyes, California, to Cathryn Balk, a belly dancer and teacher of traditional dance forms, and Solomon Feldthouse, a folk musician and founding member of the 1960s psychedelic rock band Kaleidoscope.

Balk’s education was unconventional due to her early career, involving homeschooling and correspondence courses. She attended the Royal Academy of Ballet at age four and briefly studied at the Bush Davies Performing Arts School in the UK. Her ethnicity is a mix of Romani, Cherokee, Irish, French, English, and German, and she has not publicly disclosed her religious beliefs.

Career

Fairuza Balk began her acting career at age nine with a role in the ABC television film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983), followed by a British Columbia tourism commercial. At 11, she was cast as Dorothy Gale in Disney’s Return to Oz (1985), beating out 1,200 girls for the role, earning nominations for a Saturn Award and a Young Artist Award.

Her early work included The Worst Witch (1986) as Mildred Hubble and a move to Paris at 14 for Valmont (1989), directed by Miloš Forman. Her performance as Shade in Gas Food Lodging (1992) won her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, marking her rise as a talented young actress.

Balk’s breakthrough came with her iconic role as Nancy Downs in The Craft (1996), a teenage witch whose intense performance earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, shared with Robin Tunney, and a cult following. That same year, she showcased her versatility in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), incorporating her mother’s belly-dancing skills.

She played diverse roles in American History X (1998) as a neo-Nazi’s girlfriend, The Waterboy (1998) as Adam Sandler’s love interest, and Almost Famous (2000) as a groupie. Her television work includes a recurring role as Ginger in Ray Donovan (2015) and starring as Lizzie Thomas in Paradise City (2021). Since 2010, Balk has released music with her unsigned act, Armed Love Militia, blending folk and alternative sounds.

Balk continues to embrace her artistic versatility, appearing in indie films like Humboldt County (2008) and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), as well as upcoming projects like the horror film Trespassers (2018) and the drama Hell Is Where the Home Is (2018). Her visual art, including a mixed-media sculpture inspired by Django Reinhardt’s “Nuages” for the 2012 MiXTAPE group show, has been exhibited in Los Angeles and New York.

An advocate for environmental conservation and animal rights, Balk’s eclectic career and unique persona have made her a beloved figure in alternative cinema, with her portrayal of Nancy Downs remaining a cultural touchstone.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @fairuzabalk
• Facebook Handle: Fairuza Balk
• Twitter Handle: @fairuzabalk

Personal Life

Fairuza Balk has kept her personal life private, avoiding the celebrity gossip spotlight. She was in a relationship with actor David Thewlis from 1996 to 1997, having met while filming The Island of Dr. Moreau and later working together on American Perfekt (1997). She has no spouse or children and is currently single.

Balk is deeply passionate about occult studies, folklore, and esoteric knowledge, which fueled rumors about her being a practicing witch, especially after she purchased an occult shop in Los Angeles while filming The Craft.

Filmography

• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)
• Return to Oz (1985)
• The Worst Witch (1986)
• Valmont (1989)
• Gas Food Lodging (1992)
• Shame (1992)
• Imaginary Crimes (1994)
• Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995)
• The Craft (1996)
• The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
• American Perfekt (1997)
• American History X (1998)
• The Waterboy (1998)
• Almost Famous (2000)
• Personal Velocity: Three Portraits (2002)
• Deuces Wild (2002)
• Don’t Come Knocking (2005)
• Wild Tigers I Have Known (2006)
• Humboldt County (2008)
• Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Net Worth

Fairuza Balk has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Her primary sources of income include her acting career, with earnings from films like The Craft, American History X, and Almost Famous, as well as television roles in Ray Donovan and Paradise City.