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Already an international model and Kung Fu expert, Laura Niles, is now making her mark in Hollywood as a rising actress and comedian. Her recent lead guest-star role on Showtime's Californication captivated audiences as she played a boxing instructor turned steamy love interest opposite David Duchovny and Evan Handler. Laura co-stars with Jim Belushi, Jerry O'Connell, and Bruce Jarchow as Eva De Moan in the drama/comedy pilot Defenders directed by Davis Guggenheim and set to air on CBS this fall. She was a recurring co-star on the Best Damn Sports Show Period with Tom Arnold hosting. She was a guest host on Wild On E!, and appeared in numerous other popular TV shows, but she is now well on her way to becoming a serious Hollywood film star.
Laura was a principal in national TV commercials in the U.S., including Sprite, Reebok, and Secret, as well as print campaigns such as Nike, Levi's, and Shiseido Japan. In addition, she's been photographed by Lionel Deluy, Marc Baptiste, and many other major photographers, and will soon be featured in Maxim UK.
Laura's heritage is eclectic and multi-cultural, with Lithuanian, British, and Native American (Nez Perce) roots. Extremely athletic, she began studying Southern Shaolin Kung Fu at age 14, and now holds a 2nd degree black. With model looks as well, she began modeling at the age of 16 with a contract in Japan, and later completed contracts in 6 countries, modeling abroad for a total of two years.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from USC, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, Laura went to Shanghai, China to act in a kung fu movie. For this role, Laura received recognition in a 6-page feature in Inside Kung Fu Magazine, one of the most highly esteemed magazines in the martial arts world. Shortly after this, Laura became a contender on the show Model Boxing and trained as an amateur boxer for over a year. Laura is an advanced snowboarder as well and, as a result, landed a snowboarding role in a Heineken commercial. Laura now pursues acting full time and has studied with Aaron Speiser, under instructors at the Lee Strasberg Institute, and at the Groundlings. She continues to find new ways to express herself, including her most recent pursuit, stand-up comedy, having performed numerous times at the world-famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd.
In her spare time, Laura is an avid vintage clothing and furniture collector, and has her own blog, discussing and selling her vintage finds. Some of Laura's other hobbies include interior design, indoor and outdoor gardening, bike riding, cooking, dancing, and watching TV and Films.