| Hayley Marie Norman | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 3, 1989 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress/Model |
| Years active | 2001—present |
Hayley Marie Norman (born March 3, 1989)[1] is an American actress and model. She first came to public attention as case model #25 on NBC's game show Deal or No Deal, where she stood out as one of the most recognizable briefcase models[2] and became a fan favorite due to her energetic and outgoing personality as well as her curly hair.[3] She has appeared in numerous films including Fired Up, Hancock, Trailer Park of Terror, and Norbit. Aside from features films, she has also landed roles on several television shows including the Starz cable network series Crash, the soap opera The Young and The Restless, and the critically acclaimed Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
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Born and raised in Agoura Hills, California, she is of Russian, German, and African American descent.[4] Her father, Gregory Norman, was a professional baseball player, and won a World Series as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Her great uncle is prolific film director William Beaudine.[5] Hayley began her career as a child, signing with her first agency at seven years old after being spotted in a restaurant by supermodel Cindy Crawford.[6] As a youth, she traveled extensively pursuing modeling and acting and even modeled regularly for Mattel doing a series of ads for the African American Barbie doll.[7] After modeling and acting regularly for several years, she decided to take time off from working to study the craft. She attended a performing arts high school, excelling in both the arts and academics. She studied at California Institute of Arts during summer vacations, where she became a two-time prestigious California Arts Scholar and was presented with a Governor's medallion, the highest distinction in California for artistically talented students,[8] two years in a row. After high school, she was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, a theatrical institution whose alumni include Anne Bancroft, Lauren Bacall, Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Robert Redford, and Adrien Brody.
She started her career doing commercials as a child. She then guest starred on the David E. Kelley created show Boston Public. After that she made guest appearances on Shark, Brothers & Sisters, and The Young and The Restless.
In 2006, she joined the hit television show Deal Or No Deal as Case Model #25. She appeared on the show for two seasons, while taking time off to shoot film and television projects.
In 2007, she had a recurring role as "Kaylee" on the soap opera The Young and The Restless, and appeared in her first feature film, Norbit, alongside Eddie Murphy and Cuba Gooding, Jr. The following year she landed the lead role of "Amber" in the horror film Trailer Park of Terror.
In 2008, she appeared alongside Will Smith in the box office hit Hancock, which was directed by Peter Berg. She also landed a reoccurring role opposite Dennis Hopper on the first original series produced by the Starz cable network, Crash playing Jocko Sims' character's love interest in the first season. Based on the Academy Award winning film, the show was executive produced by Academy Award winner writer Paul Haggis.
In 2009, she starred as "Angela" in the Screen Gems high school comedy Fired Up. However, Roger Ebert raved about Hayley Marie Norman's performances as Angela, saying she "has the nicest smile and the best personality"[9] and that the movie's biggest flaw was not utilize her better. He continued by saying, "You've got a problem when you allow the most intriguing member of the cast to appear in that many scenes and never deal with her."[9]
In 2010, she appeared in the comedy Our Family Wedding, alongside Forest Whitaker, America Ferrara, and Taye Diggs. Later that year, she starred alongside Elliott Gould and Sara Rue in the comedy Dorfman. She also guest starred on CSI: NY and CSI: Miami, both of which air on the CBS network. On CSI: Miami, she portrayed a roller derby skater and trained alongside the famed Los Angeles Derby Dolls for the role. She took a liking to the sport, and continues to skate with them to this day.
Hayley is an animal rights activist and vegan. She also writes as a guest contributor on the vegetarian, eco-friendly, and animal rights website, thisdishisvegetarian.com.[10]