Carly Chaikin is an American actress. Her acting career began in 2009 and she received her breakout role two years later, co-starring as Dalia Royce in the ABC sitcom Suburgatory. She played the role until the series' cancellation in 2014, and one year later began playing the role of Darlene in the USA Network thriller drama series Mr. Robot.

Carly Chaikin
Chaikin in 2012
Born
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present
Spouse
Ryan Bunnell
(m. 2021; sep. 2023)

Early life

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Chaikin was born in Santa Monica, California, to a cardiologist father and a psychotherapist mother.[1] She was raised Jewish and has a sister.[2][3][better source needed]

She attended The Archer School for Girls and the New Roads School.[3] During this time she played a variety of sports, including volleyball, softball, basketball, and soccer.[4]

Career

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2009–2011: Early career

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Chaikin knew she wanted to be an actress since she was 11.[5] During high school, she decided to forgo college and dedicate herself to acting.[3]

In 2009, Chaikin landed the role of Veronica in the film The Consultants, released December 4, 2010 in the US. The same year, Chaikin starred alongside Miley Cyrus in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song, initially released in the US on March 31, 2010. She played the role of Blaze, the antagonist of the film, a rebel that stirs up trouble for Ronnie, played by Cyrus.[6]

2011–2014: Early television work and Suburgatory

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In 2011, Chaikin was cast as Dalia Oprah Royce in the ABC sitcom Suburgatory alongside Jeremy Sisto and Cheryl Hines.[7][8] Chaikin's character, Dalia, was the mean girl to Jane Levy's Tessa,[9] Her performance received universal acclaim; she quickly became a fan favorite and her performance a popular highlight of the show.[10][11][12] Chaikin originally auditioned for the role of Tessa.[13] Chaikin wrote a series of articles as her character, Dalia, for the magazine, Parade.[14] As her character, Dalia, she shot a music video called "You Missed A Spot." In 2013, Chaikin was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Suburgatory[15] and was discussed as a potential Emmy nomination.[16] The series ended its run on May 14, 2014.[17]

Chaikin appeared in the 2012 independent film My Uncle Rafael starring John Michael Higgins.[1]

In addition to acting, Chaikin is a writer and producer of short films, including Happy Fucking Birthday, and Nowhere to Go, which was honored at the First Glance Film Festival in 2013.[18]

2014–2019: Mr. Robot

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In September 2014,[19] Chaikin was cast in the USA Network TV series, Mr. Robot,[20][21] starring Rami Malek ("Elliot") and Christian Slater ("Mr. Robot").[22] She plays the programmer Darlene, one of the show's central characters, who is a member of the fsociety group and writes malicious rootkit code.[23][24] Chaikin auditioned for the roles of both Angela and Darlene. She said that it was a great pilot and that the bad-ass nature of the character really appealed to her.[25] Mr. Robot has received widespread critical acclaim. At the 2015 SXSW film festival, the show won the Audience Award for Episodic TV shows.[26][27] Chaikin was a series regular for all four seasons of Mr. Robot.

 
Chaikin, emceeing the 2016 NAMIWalks[28] Los Angeles, and introducing Secretary of State Alex Padilla[29]

During the five years Chaikin was involved with Mr. Robot, she also appeared in three independent films, the 2015 thriller Bad Blood, the 2017 comedy People You May Know, and the 2018 rom-com Social Animals, as well as filmed the currently unreleased film Last Moment of Clarity. In 2015, Chaikin guest-starred on Marc Maron's TV show, Maron, as Tina, a college teaching assistant whom Marc's friend (played by Adam Goldberg) has slept with. In 2019, she was featured in the New Years episode of Hulu's horror anthology Into the Dark. Additionally, Chaikin has been a guest judge on Project Runway two times; in season 15 (2016) and season 16 (2017).

2020s

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In February 2021, it was announced that Chaikin was developing her television series Messy with Miramax TV, with Chaikin writing, starring, and also showrunning with producer Liz Brizius.[30]

Personal life

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Chaikin is also a painter, focusing on acrylics and oil, with some mixed media collage.[4] Although she took painting classes growing up, Chaikin says that she is mostly self-taught.[31]

In 2012 she had 11 tattoos, one of which features song lyrics by Bob Dylan.[32]

Chaikin has been involved with the charitable organization National Alliance on Mental Illness, which conducts research and support for people and their families impacted by mental illness. She served as emcee of NAMIWalks in both 2016 and 2017, as well as raising money for the organization and matching incoming donations.[33][34] She has recorded public service announcements for the group.[35]

On September 3, 2018, Chaikin announced that she was engaged to her longtime boyfriend, television director Ryan Bunnell.[36] The two wed in November 2021 and lived in Los Angeles together.[37][38] In February 2023 Bunnell filed for divorce from Chaikin, citing irreconcilable differences.[39]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Consultants Veronica
2010 The Last Song Blaze
2011 Escapee Lynne Petersen
2012 My Uncle Rafael Kim
2013 In a World... Excruciating
2015 Bad Blood Frances
2017 People You May Know Oakley
2018 Social Animals Claire
2020 Last Moment of Clarity Kat
2022 Daniel's Gotta Die Jessica Powell

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2011–2014 Suburgatory Dalia Royce Main cast; 50 episodes
2012 Harder Than It Looks Katie 2 episodes: "Sisters" and "The Tutors"
2012 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Brittany Episode: "16 Hop Street"
2015 Maron Tina Episode: "Professor of Desire"
2015–2019 Mr. Robot Darlene Alderson Main cast; 32 episodes
2019 Into the Dark Danielle Williams Episode: "New Year, New You"

Shorts and web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Harder Than It Looks Katie Web series; 2 episodes
2012 Nowhere to Go[40] Austyn short film; also writer and executive producer
2013 Happy Fucking Birthday Maddy McDowell short film
2014 Dissonance Julia short film; also producer
2014 Literally[41] Hello Giggles shorts[24]
2016 Into Me[42] short film; also writer, executive producer and editor

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2013 13th FirstGlance Film Fest Hollywood Best Shorts Too (shared with Robert May) Nowhere to Go Won
3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards[43] Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Suburgatory Nominated
15th Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Villain Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Steely, Jon (March 2010). "Introducing Carly Chaikin". Venice Magazine. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2012. Born, raised, and still living in Santa Monica, her dad is a cardiologist and her mom is a psychotherapist
  2. ^ "Carly Chaikin, Celebrity – Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Ep. 35 | Carly Chaikin (Mr Robot) from Curious with Josh Peck". www.stitcher.com (Podcast). Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Garron, Barry (August 22, 2011). "SM Native Quickly Becomes TV Star". Santa Monica Patch. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  5. ^ Hinojosa, Stacy (March 14, 2012). "Exclusive: Carly Chaikin Suburgatory Interview". Cambio. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  6. ^ O., Courtney (June 16, 2009). "The Last Song Goes Into Production". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2011). "Jeremy Sisto to star in ABC comedy pilot Suburgatory". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  8. ^ Ng, Philiana (October 17, 2012). "Suburgatory Co-Stars Tease 'Sweet' Dallas-George Moments, Barely-There Outfits and Epic Dance-Offs". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  9. ^ Ryan, Maureen (May 9, 2012). "Suburgatory's Dalia Speaks: Carly Chaikin On One Tan And Funny Chatswin Resident". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  10. ^ Stanhope, Kate (March 5, 2013). "Suburgatory's Carly Chaikin on Taking Dalia's Crazy to New Heights, Her Throwdown with Tessa". TV Guide. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  11. ^ Acord, Tanner; Nededog, Jethro (March 26, 2014). "Drinking With the Star: Suburgatory's Carly Chaikin on Dahlia's Signature Faces, Meddling in Lisa's Marriage Proposal (Video)". The Wrap. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  12. ^ Prudom, Laura (March 6, 2013). "Suburgatory: Carly Chaikin Previews Dalia's Revenge, Dry Crying And 'How To Be A Baby'". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  13. ^ Redd, Nancy (August 5, 2013). "Carly Chaikin on The New Season of Suburgatory". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "Suburgatory's Dalia Royce". Parade. 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  15. ^ "HBO, FX Lead Critics' Choice TV Awards – But Where Are Mad Men, Modern Family?". Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  16. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (July 19, 2013). "Carly Chaikin of Suburgatory". HitFix. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  17. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 9, 2014). "Suburgatory, Super Fun Night canceled by ABC". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  18. ^ "Dalia Royce Played by Carly Chaikin". ABC. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  19. ^ "Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin Join USA Pilot 'Mr. Robot'; Rupert Evans In Amazon's 'Man In The High Castle'". Deadline. September 11, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  20. ^ Ng, Philiana (September 11, 2014). "'Suburgatory,' 'Her' Alums to Co-Star in USA's Hacker Drama Mr. Robot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  21. ^ "Madison(Maddie)– Played by Carly Chaikin". USA Network. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  22. ^ "Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin join USA pilot Mr. Robot; Rupert Evans in Amazon's Man in the High Castle". Deadline Hollywood. September 11, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  23. ^ Tang, Jenny (April 9, 2015). "Interview with Mr Robot cast at SXSW 2015". Nerdgeist. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  24. ^ a b Nickalls, Sammy (June 24, 2015). "Nerding out with Carly Chaikin: On her new show Mr. Robot, and her HelloGiggles series Literally". Hello Giggles. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  25. ^ Christian Slater: Mr. Robot Q&A – Film 2015. SXSW. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2015 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ Wiese, Christina (March 21, 2015). "2015 SXSW Film Audience Award Winners Announced". SXSW. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  27. ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (March 25, 2015). "Review: What is Mr. Robot, and Why Did It Win the SXSW Audience Award?". Indiewire. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  28. ^ "NAMIWalks Los Angeles". NAMI Westside Los Angeles. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  29. ^ "NAMI Walks Los Angeles 2016 at Grand Park". wherevent.com.
  30. ^ Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (February 11, 2021). "Carly Chaikin Partners With Miramax TV, Showrunner Liz Brixius on Dark Comedy Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  31. ^ Liza, Darwin (April 24, 2014). "Artist in Residence: Carly Chaikin". Nylon. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  32. ^ Brody, Caitlin (October 16, 2012). "Suburgatory's Carly Chaikin is Nothing Like Her Character, Dalia. Count the Tattoos for Proof!". Glamour. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  33. ^ Carly Chaikin - Team 'Mr. Robot'. "Comments". Namiwalks.org. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "Comments". Namiwalks.org. January 3, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  35. ^ NAMI (May 19, 2016). #StigmaFree: Carly Chaikin. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2016 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Mr. Robot Star Carly Chaikin Is Engaged: See Her Ring". E! Online. September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  37. ^ Goldberg, Emily (July 13, 2016). "My LA to Z: Carly Chaikin Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  38. ^ David, Mark (June 20, 2019). "'Mr. Robot' Actress Carly Chaikin Lists Woodland Hills Suburban Ranch House (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  39. ^ "'Mr. Robot' Star Carly Chaikin's Husband Files For Divorce After Short Marriage". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  40. ^ Nowhere to Go on Vimeo
  41. ^ Literally. YouTube. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  42. ^ ContentMode Magazine. Into Me. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  43. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly; Wilson Hunt, Stacey (June 10, 2013). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
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