Amy Carlson

Amy Carlson was raised in Glen Ellyn (Illinois) and was a part of her early years living in Chicago. Amy resided in GlenEllyn, Illinois, until she was in junior college. The family also resided in Middle East, where her parents, Bob (and Barb) taught at American School. Amy is the older sister of Betsy, Lori, and brother Joe. Amy has traveled throughout Europe on her own as well as with her family. Since her parents worked as teachers who taught, they could spend every summer together traveling and camping all across the United States. They have camped in every state, with the exception of Alaska. Amy has also traveled to Rwanda after the war in 1994 to help in relief efforts. Early on, Amy showed artistic talent acting in school productions as well as winning contests for writing. In high school, she excelled in athletics and was the first to participate in the ever 3200-meter relay to be held for girls in the Illinois track. After sustaining an injury, she returned to college and performed in a variety of roles on the stage, starting with Lanford Wilson's "Fifth Of July” and then directing Wallace Shawn's "Aunt Da and Lemon”. Amy attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where she earned her with a cum laude, a B.A. in East Asian history and a concentration in Theater. She relocated to Chicago following graduation and began studying Improv at the Improv Olympic and acting in the theater at The Actor's Center. An acting contract on the now defunct soap opera Another World (1964) moved her to NYC soon after graduation. The category she was nominated for is "Outstanding support actress on the Daytime Drama Series", she has been nominated to Daytime Emmy Awards. Her most memorable roles were those of strong women like Alex Taylor (1999), Maggie Pistone (2000), Katie Owen (2003), and Linda Reagan (2003). Carlson lives in New York City, with Syd Butler, her husband and bassist for Les Savy Fav. She also owns Frenchkiss Records, an independent music label, and serves as part-owner. Amy continues to write as well as search for diverse and distinctive films and roles.