Throughout the six seasons of “Schitt’s Creek,” one character that unquestionably underwent significant transformation is Annie Murphy’s portrayal of Alexis Rose.
When she was approached to audition for the role of Alexis Rose, the privileged but bankrupt daughter at the heart of “Schitt’s Creek,” Annie Murphy had only $3 in her bank account.
At that point, she was on the brink of giving up her acting career, having struggled to find work for almost two years and having recently missed out on a prior audition, as Murphy explained on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
To compound matters, her apartment had also burned down.
“After finding myself in tears in the Pacific Ocean, the universe seemed to convey to me, ‘This is not your path. Let go,’” recounted Murphy on the show.
However, just two days later, Eugene and Dan Levy reached out to her. Initially, the father-son duo, who co-created and starred in the show, had offered the role of Alexis Rose to actress and comedian Abby Elliott. Yet, Murphy stepped in after Elliott departed the show for another opportunity.
“I am immensely grateful for Abby’s career because without it, I wouldn’t have had mine,” expressed Murphy to Marie Claire. “Schitt’s Creek” initially flew under the radar upon its 2015 debut on Pop TV in the U.S. and CBC in Canada but later gained popularity after striking a deal with Netflix in 2017. Pop TV estimates that over four million people watched at least some of the show’s previous season on its channel. The show also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for best comedy in 2019.
The role of Alexis Rose also propelled Murphy to comedic stardom. Several iconic phrases from her self-absorbed yet endearing character, such as “Ew, David” and “Love that journey for me,” have been immortalized on stickers, T-shirts, and numerous memes.
Even one of her comedic jingles from the show, “A Little Bit Alexis,” made its way to iTunes and earned a Dorian Award for TV musical performance of the year, alongside Lizzo and Michelle Williams. As the show approached its sixth and final season, Murphy disclosed to Marie Claire her intention to embark on her next journey, reminiscent of how she started, by seeking a new role in Los Angeles.
The Early Life of Annie Murphy
Anne Frances Murphy was born as an only child in Ottawa, Ontario, on December 19, 1986. Both her parents were educators.
She participated in stage productions during her time at Elmwood School in Ottawa. After spending a year at Queen’s University, Murphy pursued a degree in theatre performance at Concordia University, followed by training at the Canadian Film Centre Actors’ Conservatory.
At 22, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
Career of Annie Murphy
Annie Murphy’s prior projects include appearances in Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, Good God, The Story of Jen, Beauty and the Beast, and Blue Mountain State, and she has also been involved in theatre productions in Montreal and Toronto.
She recently starred in Schitt’s Creek for CBC/ITV, appearing alongside Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Chris Elliott as Alexis Rose. Murphy’s work on the show earned her a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in a Comedy.
Murphy also wrote, produced, and acted in The Plateaus, a CBC web series featuring Elisha Cuthbert, Jay Baruchel, Sam Roberts, and Kevin MacDonald. She is a graduate of both the Canadian Film Centre Actors’ Conservatory and the Theatre Performance Program at Concordia University. She currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Personal life of Annie Murphy
In August 2011, Murphy married Menno Versteeg, a singer and musician who served as the lead vocalist for the bands Hollerado and Anyway Gang. In 2013, a fire broke out at their home, resulting in the loss of most of their belongings, although both of them emerged unharmed.
On her wrist, Murphy bears a tattoo of James Stewart’s silhouette, recognizing his “heartbreaking, sweet, and funny” performance in Harvey (1950) as a significant influence.
Activism and Advocacy
Murphy is an ambassador for the global relief agency Care Canada. In 2019, she undertook a trip to Jordan to witness the efforts of Care in empowering women and girls in the region. Additionally, in January 2021, Murphy donated the proceeds from the auction of her first red carpet dress to the Encampment Support Network, a not-for-profit organization supporting homeless individuals in Toronto.
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