I was recently catching up on some of my TV viewing. I am a couch potato, I admit it. Criminal Minds is one of my favorite shows, I had missed a couple of episodes so I started watching the episode called Retaliation.
It opened with action, a man being chased down and arrested.
He had killed one woman and kidnapped his own daughter. His daughter was sitting outside a cabin on the porch. He yelled out to her and when she looked in his direction, the look on her face mesmerized me.
I would expect to see some anger in her face, but she took it beyond that. You could see anger but also love and confusion, all those emotions. She didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to, her face said all that needed to be said.
A smile came across my face as I took in the moment. This young actress was only in a few scenes in the episode, I wanted to see more of her. A mark of a truly great actor or actress is what they don’t have to say. This young girl was a wonderful actress. Who is she? What else has she done?
After a little digging, I found out her name is Jordan Van Vranken and she is from Memphis.
Jordan began her career in radio doing weather reports for Clear Channel (including Rock 103) at the age of six. After relocating to South Florida she pursued acting in Community Theater, and is currently living in Los Angeles pursuing her dream. Jordan can be seen in episodes of not only Criminal Minds but also Men of a Certain Age and Disney XD’s Moises Rules. She can be heard in the Warner Brothers/HD Films animated series CHADAM, as the voice of Ripley.
I also learned that she has been in over 20 independent films (several festival bound), commercials, music videos, theatre productions, and voice over projects, including motion capture.
I’m not the only one that noticed what a natural talent Jordan has. Her directors and coaches commend her talent and applaud her ability to take direction. Here’s what they are saying about Jordan and her work…
“Jordan’s youthful vibrance was a blast to work with. Even though production days ran long, her patience and dedication to doing a great job was always appreciated by everyone!”
Jenn Gotzon, Actress; “Break These Chains”, currently starring in “Frost/Nixon”
“Jordan is so lovely, she listens extraordinarily well and has a passion for her craft. She is a true artist - interesting to watch, available and readable even at moments when she is not emoting anything in particular.”
Tess Skorczewski, Margie Haber Studios
“Adorable and incredibly talented!”
Cynthia Bain, On-set Acting/Performance Coach, Nickelodeon
“From the time her dad put her on the phone to give us a hurricane report from Florida (she was only 6), we knew she had special talents!”
Tim & Bad Dog; ROCK 103/Memphis
“Jordan is such a talented and incredible young Actress. She is quick to learn and takes direction extremely well. She has an emotional depth that is so rare for her age; sweet, loving, or heartbreaking...simply amazing. This girl is going to go far!”
Tim Lowry; President, DesertRock Entertainment, Inc.
Why are so many people singing the praises of this young actress? See for yourself in this clip from “Sugar” (http://www.jordanvanvranken.com/demo_reel.html) and her demo reel on her website (www.jordanvanvranken.com).
With everything that is going on in her life right now, Jordan still finds time to give back to her hometown of Memphis. She is an active fund raiser for the Ronald McDonald House and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and regularly participates in their annual Radiothon event.
Coming up next month Jordan will be recognized at the 2009 CARE Awards! The CARE (Child Actor Recognition Event) Awards honor child actors for their positive contributions to the entertainment industry.
Honorees are selected using a point system based on professional acting work, academics, union membership, training, a written essay, and community service.
I’m sure you will be hearing from Jordan Van Vranken for years to come. Her name may not be familiar to you now but soon it will be a household name. She has more talent than anyone I have seen in many, many years. She’s a natural.
If you have any comments or questions please send them to me at Mitch.SunTimes@Gmail.com.
(Mitch McCracken has been involved in the music business for over thirty years working in both the radio and record industries.)
Heber Springs, Ark. —
