Millicent Simmonds

Millicent (Millie) Simmonds is an actress from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania best known for Wonderstruck (2017), A Quiet Place (2018), and A Quiet Place Part II (2020). Millicent originally hails from Bountiful, Utah and at a young age began performing and telling stories in American Sign Language. She joined the theater and drama club at her elementary school, playing Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream. However, she never expected to be an actress because she had never seen deaf characters like her in film or television. In 2016 her drama teacher received an email with a casting call for a deaf actress wanted for the part of Rose in a film adaption of Brian Selznick's novel Wonderstruck. She quickly thought of Millie and encouraged her to try out. Millie sent in a one-take audition that brought the film's director Todd Haynes to tears, winning her what would become a stunning breakout performance. Millicent and Wonderstruck made their debut at Cannes and the New York Film Festival. Millicent was named one of the Breakthrough Entertainers of 2017 by AP, and Time Magazine listed Rose as one of the Top 10 Movie Performances of the year. 

Millicent landed her next major role as Regan Abbott in John Krasinski's horror-thriller A Quiet Place, working alongside Emily Blunt and Noah Jupe. Krasinski was adamant about casting a deaf actress to play Regan and using American Sign Language authentically. Her experiences became resources and inspiration for the story and sound design in the film. A Quiet Place was a surprise hit critically and financially. In 2021 she reprised her role as Regan in the hit sequel A Quiet Place Part II. Millie is an advocate and activist on set and off. In 2017, Millicent became the first ever Deaf actor nominated for the Critics' Choice Award for her work in Wonderstruck and was nominated a second time in 2018 for her work in A Quiet Place. Her accomplishments and visibility are major steps forward in positive film and media representation for the deaf and disabled community. Millicent is one of five siblings and loves to spend time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include listening to rock music like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, drawing, reading, and riding her motorcycle. Next, she hopes to take on even more adventurous roles, maybe playing a superhero or even a villain.