Madeleine McGraw is an American actress, born on December 22, 2008, in San José, California. She began acting and modeling at the age of four, particularly as a child fashion figure. The young actress started her career on television standing out in one of the main roles in the horror series “Outcast” (2016-2017), participating in 14 episodes. This appearance was followed by participation in series such as “Reverie” (2018), “Secrets of Sulfur Springs” (2021), and films such as “The Mandela Effect” (2019), among others.

She also was Bradley Cooper’s daughter in Warner Bros' “American Sniper”. Now, this young actress is co-starring alongside Ethan Hawke as ‘Gwen,’ in the horror film “The Black Phone.” Poised as the next Blumhouse smash hit, the film is an adaptation of a short story by New York Times Best Seller Joe Hill. The horror film that reunites director Derrickson and four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke (Sinister) in one of the most terrifying Blumhouse films ever.

Acting for her started by accident. Her baby sister started doing a little baby modeling and she asked her mom if she could try it. Her mom said no for a long time, but she kept asking. Finally, she got an audition and booked it. She loved every second of the process and said to her mom she wanted to do that forever.

As a family, they were living in Northern California at that time and a manager in Los Ángeles saw some pictures she had taken with an LA photographer and contacted her mom. The rest is history in the making.

Madeleine what has been the most difficult thing about having started acting at such a young age?

I can’t think of anything that has been difficult about starting acting so young. If anything, I think it’s been an incredible education being able to learn from some of the best in the business at such a young age.

Do you remember what your first screen job was?

I believe it was a short film called “Hide n Seek” with Mikaela Hoover, directed by someone I would really want to work with again, Carles Torrens. He was so kind and is so super talented!

And taking into account that first experience, would you say that you imagined or set out to get to where you are today? Or has it been something that has happened organically?

Well, I would say probably more organically because I just wanted to act. I really just wanted to do something I loved. So, whatever happened, happened and I was always so grateful when someone would allow me to do what I loved.

“American Sniper” and “The Black Phone” are some of the movies where you have been, but you have also starred in the critically-acclaimed, fourth installment of Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise “Toy Story 4". And you let your voice for the role of ‘Bonnie,’ who first appeared in “Toy Story 3.”. It seems like a lot for your young age. Do you have any specific goals right now with your career?

I would love to direct and produce someday. I have been pitching a project around town that I would love to get greenlit. But for right now I am just enjoying the journey.

Of the film genres that you have had to do, which one have you enjoyed the most and why?

I would have to say horror because I feel it’s a genre where kids get to do more complex work. In The Black Phone, I got to play a range of emotions and be in so many different situations. I felt as if it challenged me and I loved that.

Can you give us more details about this recent project?

The Black Phone is a story about a boy who is taken by The Grabber. He is then locked in a soundproof basement and starts receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer’s previous victims.

I play Gwen, she is the sister of the most recent kidnapped kid, Finney. She is a little spitfire and would do anything to protect her brother. She’s also fierce and doesn’t take a lot of garbage from people. She has these dreams which she hopes she can use to help find her brother.

What role would you like to play during your career?

I think it would be so fun to play a villain. Watching Ethan Hawke’s performances in The Black Phone was so inspiring. I loved how this really nice guy could transform into something so blood-curdling awful.

Mention a top 5 of the best movies you've seen

My top five movies right now are;

1. Knives Out

2. The Black Phone (biased, I know)

3. All Of the Harry Potter movies

4. The Avengers End Game

5. Victory, with Sylvester Stallone and Michael Cain

Has your work as an actress given you the tools to face your day-to-day life?

Absolutely. I think acting is so much about listening. So, I have become a very good listener. I also feel like acting gives you more confidence because you are used to putting yourself out there.

What things do you enjoy besides acting?

I really enjoy playing soccer. I have been on a club team for several years now and I am very passionate about the sport. I also love playing video games with my siblings and I love to bake.

How do you project your career one year from now?

Oh gosh, I don’t know. I don’t even like to think about the future. I just like to live in the moment.

Photo credits: Ben Cope

Young talent + Hard work = Madeleine McGraw

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