The North Star
Mackenzie Firgens, 26. Actor in 14 films, including Groove (2000) and Rent (2005); plays the lead in The Hamiltons (yet to be released).
Sometimes it takes letting go of your Hollywood dreams to make them come true. Just ask Mackenzie Firgens, a former child actress whose film career took off at full speed when, in 2000, she nabbed one of the lead roles in an independent feature called Groove. The film’s success at Sundance got her an agent in record time and propelled her to Los Angeles. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be,” says Firgens, who, during the course of three miserable years in Tinseltown, was cast in just one movie. “It was quite a test of character—the desperation factor there is really palpable.”
UPWARDLY MOBILE
It took a romantic interest to bring her back to the city she loves. “There’s so much energy from nature here. I think it makes people more calm and friendly.” Even better, since she left L.A. the work has flowed. She’s made 14 movies to date. One close to her heart, a politically charged character piece called Revolution Summer, is currently in postproduction. In it, she plays Hope, a character she can relate to. “She’s searching for more meaning in life. I’m always looking for some greater purpose.”
THE FORCE
With two screenplays of her own in the works, Firgens is still thinking big. “I really want to do a film that changes people, like Crash—or the first Star Wars trilogy. I have a soft spot for sci-fi.”
