Mikey Madison

Madison was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the San Fernando Valley with her twin brother, Miles, and three other siblings. Her parents, Michael and Tracy Rosberg, are psychologists. She was homeschooled from the seventh grade and initially pursued competitive horseback riding, spending much of her time at a stable with her pony.

At 14, Madison shifted her focus from equestrian competition to acting. Her mother enrolled her in acting classes, helped her prepare for roles, and drove her to auditions. Madison grew up watching films by directors including Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola, and Martin Scorsese. She is Jewish and was raised in a secular household.

Madison began acting in the short films Pani's Box and Retirement in 2013, followed by Bound for Greatness in 2014. She filmed her first feature, Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey, as a teenager, and the film was released in 2017. Her breakout role came in 2016, when she joined Pamela Adlon's FX comedy-drama Better Things as Max Fox, the eldest daughter of Adlon's character. Madison appeared in all 52 episodes of the series, which ran through 2022.

She followed the series with appearances in Imposters, Monster, and Nostalgia. In Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), she played a fictionalized version of Susan “Sadie” Atkins, a member of the Manson Family. Madison also voiced Candi the Barista in The Addams Family and played Amber Freeman in Scream (2022), a performance that brought her further attention. Her later credits include It Takes Three, All Souls, and the miniseries Lady in the Lake.

Sean Baker wrote Anora with Madison specifically in mind after seeing her performances in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream. He offered her the title role without an audition, and she collaborated with him while the character and screenplay were being developed. Madison plays Anora “Ani” Mikheeva, a Brooklyn sex worker whose life changes after she becomes involved with the son of a Russian oligarch.

To prepare for the role, Madison learned Russian and pole dancing, spent time in strip clubs, and performed her own stunts, including two fight scenes. Anora premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or. Madison's performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, along with nominations for a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice awards.

Madison lives in Los Angeles. She is vegan and has an adopted dog named Jam.

Madison does not use social media, explaining that it does not feel authentic or natural to her. She has also described herself as non-religious but very spiritual, and has discussed sensitivity to loud noises, overstimulation, and difficulties with eye contact.