Shareeka Epps

Shareeka Epps (born July 11, 1989) is an American actress. She is best known for starring in the 2006 film Half Nelson, alongside Ryan Gosling. She won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in the film.

Life and career After being discovered in junior high school, Epps starred in the low budget, short film Gowanus, Brooklyn alongside Matt Kerr, playing the role of "Drey", a high school student. The short film won the Short Filmmaking Award at "Sundance Film Festival" in 2004.

The success of Gowanus, Brooklyn led to a full-length feature film, Half Nelson. Released August 11, 2006 the story concerns an inner city middle-school teacher who forms a friendship with one of his students after she discovers that he has a drug habit. Epps reprised her role as "Drey" and the role of the teacher was replaced by Ryan Gosling. The film also starred rising star Anthony Mackie.

For Half Nelson, Epps won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor (2006); was named Best Supporting Actress by the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (2006); and attended SUNY Broome Community College, where she earned her associates' degree.

In 2007, Epps acted in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem as Kendra although her portrayal of Kendra was almost entirely omitted from the theatrical as well as the home video release. She has one scene left in the final cut, as an extra at the Gunnison Diner along with her onscreen brother Meshach Peters.

Epps made her first TV appearance in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airing on April 15, 2008, titled "Undercover" as Ashley Tyler. In 2013 she starred in American Milkshake alongside Tyler Ross and Georgia Ford.

In 2009, Shareeka provided spoken word vocals on the songs "Intro" and "Werewolf Heart" from Dead Man's Bones eponymous debut album. Ryan Gosling, who co-starred in Half Nelson, is one of the two members of Dead Man's Bones.

Epps currently resides in New York.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2004 Gowanus, Brooklyn Drey Short 2006 Half Nelson Drey 2007 Neal Cassady Annie Gibson 2007 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Kendra Uncredited 2009 The Winning Season Lisa Robinson 2010 My Soul to Take Chandele Brown 2010 Mother and Child Ray Lawrence 2011 Yelling to the Sky Fatima Harris 2013 American Milkshake Henrietta

Television Year Title Role Notes 2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ashley Tyler Episode: "Undercover" 2020 The Fugitive Ronnie Lawson 2 episodes

Awards and nominations Black Reel Awards 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated) 2007, Best Breakthrough Performance: Half Nelson (Nominated) Boston Society of Film Critics 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Winner) Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2007, Best Young Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated) Chicago Film Critics 2007, Most Promising Newcomer: Half Nelson (Nominated) Independent Spirit Awards 2006, Best Female Lead: Half Nelson (Winner) Online Film Critics Society 2007, Best Breakthrough Performance: Half Nelson (Nominated) St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association 2007, Best Supporting Actress: Half Nelson (Nominated)