Ten fun facts about Fairuza Balk

Fact 1
Fairuza was born Fairuza Alejandra Feldthouse, and her first name is the Persian word for the color turquoise.

Fact 2
When she was 2, she and her mother moved to Canada, where she started her acting career at the age of 6.

Fact 3
Fairuza’s on-screen debut came in 1983, in the TV film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Fact 4
In 1985, she appeared in the role that would gain her recognition as an actress, as Dorothy in Return to Oz.

Fact 5
She then moved again, this time to Paris, for her role in the 1988 film Valmont.

Fact 6
In 1989, Fairuza moved back to Canada in order to attend high school.

Fact 7
In 1996, Fairuza landed a part in the American teen horror film The Craft, and she moved back to California for filming.

Fact 8
She was also awarded an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress thanks to her performance in the film Gas Food Lodging.

Fact 9
In 1998, Fairuza treated audiences to a thrilling portrayal of a neo-Nazi goth-punk character in American History X, a film which also starred Edward Norton.

Fact 10
Fairuza has also lent her voice to video games and animated films, including the hit game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and the animated television series Justice League.