Erika Christensen started performing at an early age, acting, singing and dancing in local theater groups. During this time, the young Christensen has traveled throughout Southern California to perform in various venues, such as the Pasadena Dance Theatre and The Serendipity Theatre Company. By age 12, Erika’s parents hired a talent agent and manager, who helped her bag commercial jobs, including a national ad campaign for McDonald’s. Christensen also appeared on a Michael Jackson video for his “Childhood” song and landed numerous guest appearances on TV shows, such as “Frasier,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Touched by an Angel,” “The Practice” and “The Geena Davis Show.”

In 1997, Erika Christensen got her film debut in the Disney movie “Leave it to Beaver,” but it was only until she portrayed a drug addict in the critically-acclaimed 2000 movie “Traffic” did her career receive a major boost. Her work in the film led to several recognitions, including a “Female Breakthrough Performance” award from the MTV Movie Awards, a “Standout Performance” award from Movieline, an “Outstanding Performance by a Cast Ensemble” award from the Screen Actors Guild and “Female Standout Performance” from the Young Hollywood Awards. Erika Christensen was also named one of People Magazine’s “Breakthrough Stars in 2001.”

Since her breakthrough role, Erika Christensen has appeared on a number of films, including “Home Room,” “Banger Sisters,” “The Perfect Score,” “Riding the Bullet,” The Upside of Anger,” “The Sisters” “Garden of Eden,” and “How to Rob a Bank.” Some of Erika’s most notable roles came when she was cast in the 2002 thriller “Swimfan,” where she played the psychotic stalker Madison Bell and in the 2005 film “Flightplan” alongside Jody Foster.

Erika Christensen has also appeared on various TV shows, such as “That ‘70s Show,” “Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony,” “The Save-Ums,” “Law & Order: SVU” and a starring role in the short-lived series “Six Degrees.” She also appeared on the 2003 made-for-TV movie “Wuthering Heights.”

In 2005, Erika Christensen took a break from acting to focus on a music career. She sang with John Stevens for his version of “Let’s Fall in Love,” which was included on his debut album “Red.” Erika also appeared on the “Tired of Being Sorry” video for Balthazar Getty’s band called “Ringside.” Other singing credits of Erika Christensen include the 1994 Neil Diamond “The Christmas Album: Volume II,” where she sang backup vocals.

Christensen will appear on the Paolo Coehlo movie adaptation, “Veronika Decides to Die” in 2009. She was included in the Askmen.com “Top 99 Women” of 2009.