---
name: "Mena Suvari"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mena-suvari"
fi1m_id: "mena-suvari"
imdb_id: "nm0002546"
tmdb_id: 8211
wikidata_id: "Q223303"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 February 1979"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_fi1m_score: 63
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-10-05T02:18:21.087455+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Mena Suvari

## Identity

Mena Suvari

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mena-suvari
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mena-suvari
- **IMDb ID:** nm0002546
- **TMDB ID:** 8211
- **Wikidata ID:** Q223303
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena_Suvari, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223303, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002546/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8211

Actor. Born 13 February 1979 in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 February 1979, Newport, Rhode Island, USA
- **Active:** 1999–2001
- **Also known as:** Mena Süvari, Mena Alexandra Suvari
- **Average Fi1m score:** 63, as actor, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 70 (2), 2000s 49 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 63 to 63 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 2, Romance 2, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $879m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mena_Suvari, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223303, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002546/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8211

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*American Pie*](https://film.one/film/american-pie.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Mena Suvari

> Mena Suvari is persuasive as a young woman working hard to seem sure of herself. We rate the vulnerability she brings to those roles, and the willingness to look less appealing in her darker independent work.

Angela Hayes wants to look sure of herself, and Mena Suvari makes that effort visible in *American Beauty* (1999). As the young woman made the object of middle-aged desire, she could easily be reduced to what someone else sees in her. Suvari gives her insecurity as well as sexual confidence, enough to make the character worth watching for her own sake. We felt for Angela because Suvari makes that confidence seem like something she needs to maintain, rather than something she can rely on.

Sam Mendes's film is worth seeing for its performances, with Annette Bening especially good. Alan Ball's screenplay is less rewarding, treating familiar complaints about middle-class life as discoveries. That limits what we would claim for the film, but it does not cancel out the care Suvari brings to Angela. Her contribution is a useful reminder to watch the actors even when the script seems pleased with something we have heard before.

The other half of her 1999 breakthrough was Heather in *American Pie*, a part she returned to in *American Pie 2* (2001) and *American Reunion* (2012). Those returns kept her attached to teen comedy long after the first success. We are more interested in the choices that worked against that early image. Cookie in Jonas Åkerlund's *Spun* (2002) offered a rougher setting and physical transformation. It was a useful move for an actor whose appearance had too often determined the parts on offer.

*Stuck* (2007), with Suvari leading as Brandi, makes that departure more pointed through a morally troubling, physically demanding part. The recurring role of Edie in *Six Feet Under* (2004) also belongs to a career built increasingly around independent films and television ensembles. Not all of that material has served her well; some of the later projects fall back on formula. After *American Beauty*, we would try *Stuck* before returning to Heather.

## Biography

Mena Suvari is an American actress. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, she began modelling at the age of twelve and later moved into acting with guest television appearances before her film debut in the 1997 drama *Nowhere*.

She rose to prominence with her role as Angela Hayes in *American Beauty* (1999), for which she received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and as Heather in *American Pie* (1999). Subsequent credits include *American Pie 2* (2001), a recurring role as Edie in the HBO series *Six Feet Under* (2001–2005), and appearances in *American Horror Story* (2011) and *Chicago Fire* (2012).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (3)

- *American Pie 2* (2001), Fi1m 49, as Heather — [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie-2.md)
- *American Beauty* (1999), Fi1m 76, as Angela Hayes — [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)
- *American Pie* (1999), Fi1m 64, as Heather — [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie.md)

## Complete filmography (101)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Down the Arm of God* (2026), as Anna
- *Vampires of the Velvet Lounge* (2026), as Elizabeth
- *The Dresden Sun* (2026), as Asha
- *Fireflies at El Mozote* (2025), as Sarah
- *The Wrecker* (2025), as Cheryl
- *What Comes Next* (2025), as Laura
- *Time of Death* (2025), as Dr. Allison Burrell
- *Ick* (2025), as Staci
- *All There Is* (2025), as Zoe
- *Beyond the Rush* (2024), as Leah Grievess
- *Reagan* (2024), as Jane Wyman
- *Holy Smokes* (2024), as Mommy
- *Prey* (2024), as Sue
- *Breakwater* (2023), as Kendra
- *All You Need Is Blood* (2023), as Vivien Vance
- *Dark Obsession* (2023), as Maya
- *Hunt Club* (2023), as Cassandra
- *Twisted Sister* (2023), as Emily
- *The Accursed* (2022), as Alma
- *House of Chains* (2022), as Laura McGrath
- *The Greatest Inheritance* (2022), as Rachel Dubose
- *Deadly Cheer Mom* (2022), as Deb
- *Back Home Again* (2021), as Mena Vulpes (voice)
- *Fourth Grade* (2021), as Barbara
- *Grace and Grit* (2021), as Treya Wilber
- *Locked In* (2021), as Maggie
- *Paradise Cove* (2021), as Tracey
- *What Lies Below* (2020), as Michelle Wells
- *Don't Tell a Soul* (2020), as Carol
- *The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson* (2020), as Nicole Brown Simpson · Executive Producer
- *Apparition* (2019), as Anna Collins
- *American Woman* (2018), series, as Kathleen
- *Becks* (2018), as Elyse
- *Psych: The Movie* (2017), as Allison Cowley
- *Justice League Action* (2016), series, as Killer Frost (voice)
- *I'll Be Home for Christmas* (2016), as Jackie
- *South of Hell* (2015), series, as Maria Abascal
- *Badge of Honor* (2015), as Jessica Dawson
- *The Opposite Sex* (2015), as Jane
- *Don't Blink* (2014), as Tracy
- *Clarence* (2014), series, as Cynthia / Video Game Voice (voice), Cynthia (voice), Cynthia / Finsy (voice), Cynthia / Store Clerk / Grandma (voice), Cynthia / Baby (voice)
- *Lakewood Plaza Turbo* (2013), as Enid / Ginger (voice)
- *Stalkers* (2013), as Ivy Hinks
- *Chicago Fire* (2012), series, as Isabella
- *The Knot* (2012), as Sarah
- *American Reunion* (2012), as Heather
- *Restitution* (2011), as Heather
- *American Horror Story* (2011), series, as Elizabeth Short
- *You May Not Kiss the Bride* (2011), as Tonya
- *No Surrender* (2011), as Amelia Davis
- *The Cape* (2011), series, as Tracey Jerrod / Dice
- *Sex and Lies in Sin City* (2009), as Sindy Murphy
- *Garden of Eden* (2008), as Catherine Bourne
- *Day of the Dead* (2008), as Sarah Bowman
- *The Mysteries of Pittsburgh* (2008), as Phlox Lombardi
- *Stuck* (2007), as Brandi Boski · Associate Producer
- *Brooklyn Rules* (2007), as Ellen
- *Factory Girl* (2006), as Richie Berlin
- *The Dog Problem* (2006), as Jules
- *Caffeine* (2006), as Vanessa
- *Edmond* (2006), as Prostitute
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Allison Cowley
- *Orpheus* (2006), as Sue Ellen
- *Rumor Has It...* (2005), as Annie Huttinger
- *Domino* (2005), as Kimmie
- *Beauty Shop* (2005), as Joanne
- *Standing Still* (2005), as Lana
- *Trauma* (2004), as Charlotte
- *Spun* (2003), as Cookie
- *Sonny* (2002), as Carol
- *The Musketeer* (2001), as Francesca Bonacieux
- *American Pie 2* (2001), as Heather — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie-2.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Edie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Sugar & Spice* (2001), as Kansas Hill
- *Loser* (2000), as Dora Diamond
- *American Virgin* (2000), as Katrina
- *American Beauty* (1999), as Angela Hayes — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)
- *American Pie* (1999), as Heather — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/american-pie.md)
- *Atomic Train* (1999), series, as Grace Seger
- *The Rage: Carrie 2* (1999), as Lisa Parker
- *Slums of Beverly Hills* (1998), as Rachel Hoffman
- *Kiss the Girls* (1997), as Coty Pierce
- *Snide and Prejudice* (1997), as Geli Raubal
- *Nowhere* (1997), as Zoe
- *High Incident* (1996), series, as Jill Marsh
- *ER* (1994), series, as Laura-Lee Armitage — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Ivy Moore
- *Boy Meets World* (1993), series, as Laura, Hilary
- *Rough Draft*, as Annabelle
- *Anatomy of the Sun*, Actor
- *Strobe*, as Jessica
- *Devoted*, as Sarah
- *Unbearable Christmas*, Actor
- *Briefcase, 8*, Actor
- *GRQ the Movie*, as Viola
- *RZR Cyber Protocol*, as Det. Thompson
- *Death of a Brewer*, Actor
- *Organism 46-B The Unseen*, as Dr Alexandria King
- *Kill Me Now*, Actor
- *The Greatest Actress in the World*, Actor
- *The Incredible Edible*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-6668963045ad.jpg) Mena Suvari — Kevin Payravi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Mena_Suvari_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%28cropped2%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016.](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-1dae110a61f0.jpg) Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016. — 9EkieraM1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/2016-02-01_1065_Mena_Suvari.JPG/1280px-2016-02-01_1065_Mena_Suvari.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016.](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-3ed4a818d0dc.jpg) Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016. — 9EkieraM1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/2016-02-01_1065_Mena_Suvari_%28cropped%29.JPG/1280px-2016-02-01_1065_Mena_Suvari_%28cropped%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016.](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-330761462c9f.jpg) Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016. — 9EkieraM1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/2016-02-01_Mena_Suvari_%284%29.jpg/1280px-2016-02-01_Mena_Suvari_%284%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-37990bb47e95.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-8a954ef3c6f3.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-a903930f9732.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB
- ![Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016.](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-854d9279592f.jpg) Mena Suvari bei der Lambertz Monday Night, im Februar 2016. — 9EkieraM1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/2016-02-01_Mena_Suvari_%287%29.jpg/1280px-2016-02-01_Mena_Suvari_%287%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and writers of American Reunion at a media event at Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woollomooloo. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-e11fc2ad8b95.jpg) Cast and writers of American Reunion at a media event at Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woollomooloo. (2012) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/American_Pie_Reunion_%286811664988%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-92b79fcd4bea.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-e2c949c02261.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB
- ![Mena Suvari](https://film.one/media/person/88477/gallery-9110e5fce90f.jpg) Mena Suvari — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/mena-suvari