Amanda Swisten

Amanda Swisten is a former American actress and model born of Scandinavian ancestry. She was born in Manhattan. Swisten spent most of her childhood in Connecticut before she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career in acting.

Swisten started her career in acting in the movie American Wedding. She is also known for her role in The Girl Next Door and Two and a Half Men. She also appeared in the music videos William Hung’s "She Bangs", Eminem’s "The Real Slim Shady" and Kid Rock’s "Bawitdaba". Swisten is also known for her modelling in magazines including Maxim and Stuff, and calendars including DreamsGirls and Women of Soccer.

Additionally, Swisten visited Iraq with Dean Cain during the Iraq War. They visited various bases spending 12 to 18 hours signing autographs and giving out T-shirts. In her spare time she enjoys reading forensic science, looking up cars and listening to music.

Early life Swisten was born in Manhattan, but grew up in Connecticut. She moved to Connecticut soon after she was born, where she spent most of her childhood. Swisten describes herself as a tomboy and a curious child, partaking in activities such as building forts and kickball. During this time she developed an interest in swimming at age 4. This interest led her to participate in swimming competitions at age 9, breaking records and briefly becoming a lifeguard. she stated that when she was a student she was also interested in science and medicine. She also volunteered at a sexual assault center to give herself a feeling of purpose. In an interview with Stuff she describes how awkward the ordeal was for her initially. However she soon got into it playing the character with the intent to be “exploited…. But have some meaning obviously”. Swisten is also in 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience, and Love Lounge. Swisten also hosted the US bikini bowling team. 2005 marked her appearance in the movie Freezerburn, where she played Star Penumbra Gold the Talent. In 2006, she appeared in an unaired episode of Cracking Up as Candy Biscoe.

Modelling Swisten began modelling at age 16 after a scout approached her, whilst shopping with her mother. Initially she got her mother to take pictures of her, due to her experience as an artist. In an interview with the Stuff she states that she dislikes modelling. Swisten claims that “ït’s really boring”, and “takes a toll on your body”.

During this campaign she was accompanied by two guards to ensure her safety. Swisten and Cain spent most of their time signing autographs, handing out merchandise and conversing amongst soldiers. She mentions that she would “say hello, pass out T-shirts, posters and sign autographs” to guards. Swisten also spent hundreds on cosmetics before the trip, in order to hand them out to female militia. They visited a variety of different bases close to the front and back line including: Forward Operation Base Bernstein and Forward Operation Base Sparta. They also witnessed the tragic side effects of war, in a hospital at Baghdad they visited a little boy and girl who were injured. The boy they met had been shot, whilst being used as a hostage. The girl had her leg blown off, after she chose to join the Iraq military. Swisten mentions that “both her and Dean broke down crying, because he had a little boy around the same age as the victims”. In various interviews, Swisten respects the soldiers. In an interview with the United States Department of Defence she states that “They have more courage than anybody I know back home”. She's also grateful for the experience stating that “This has been really grounding to see it for myself, that everybody here is out to do good work and serve their country, even though at the end of the day, they'd love to go home”. Additionally she also supported animals during Hurricane Katrina, by raising awareness on her website.

Personal life

Experiences with Fans In 2004, Swisten was stalked by a fan. The fan managed to get her home address by using Swisten's website. Swisten states that “it was so frightening that the police had to get involved”. Because of this event she claims that she carries a gun everywhere, stating that she is "... a bad girl. I can hold my own. I grew up learning how to use a gun". In 2004, she was ranked 99th place in Maxims top 100 sexiest women.

She states on her website that her fashion sense is based on a girlie-girl and tomboyish style. For her tomboyish style she enjoys wearing jeans, classic white button-down men's oxfords, black boots, white t-shirts, ribbed wife-beater tanks, pearls and silver and turquoise jewellery. For her girlish style she wears dresses, skirts and high-heels. She also enjoys wearing vintage clothes, specifically “black leather biker chick-stuff flannel shirts and boxers”. She has appeared topless in American Wedding; however, in an interview she states that her breasts were prosthetic. Due to this scholars have used her as a representation of American culture within the early 2000s. Daniel K. Cortese and Pamela M. Ling uses her as an example when describing the effects of smoking and masculinity. In a thesis by Barikatul Hikmah, he uses her to express the requirements of masculine norms. She is also used by Díaz-Granados Prieto and Pablo Esteban as a benchmark for attractive women in their thesis.

Iraq War During their visit they were praised by soldiers. Lance Cpl. Russ Bonham, an air traffic controller assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, welcomed the arrival of Cain and Swisten, stating that “Occasions like this definitely benefit morale here”. He also states “Amanda Swisten is a sexy girl and after seeing her here I’m forced to go watch ‘American Wedding’ again.” She was also praised by her fans and general audiences. In a forum post by Zoomway multiple recipients praised Swisten and Cain. They claimed “that there needed to be more people like them”.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 2003 American Wedding Fraulein Brandi 2004 The Girl Next Door April 2004 The Last Run Sage 2005 Freezerburn Star Penumbra Gold the Talent

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 I'm with Her Actress Episode "The Heartbreak Kid" 2004 Two and a Half Men Darlene Episode "My Doctor Has a Cow Puppet" 2004 Quintuplets Joela Episode "Pilot" 2004 Joey Miss Santa Fe Episode "Joey and the Roadtrip" 2004 Las Vegas Rachel Episode "My Beautiful Launderette"