Having mastered the art of ballet, Summer Glau utilized that skill in her early work, catching the eye of Joss Whedon, who would employ the young actress in her first screen gig (the “Waiting in the Wings” episode of “Angel”) following a move to Hollywood from her native San Antonio in 2002. Anticipating a career in entertainment while learning ballet growing up, Summer cited Juliette Binoche as her favorite actress. She collaborated with Whedon a year later on the short-lived sci-fi series, “Firefly,” and reprised the role one more time for the show’s big-screen adventure, “Serenity,” in 2005.
During her time between projects, Summer kept busy with roles on shows like “Cold Case” and “The Unit,” as well as an appearance as Ticket Girl in the tween comedy “Sleepover.” It was her move to television in the later part of the 2000s, though, that established Summer Glau as a rising, promising actress capable of fitting in nicely in sci-fi, slightly dark roles – particularly as Cameron Philips on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” Steadily gaining exposure as the decade winds down, Summer found herself ranked #8 on Wizard’s magazine “Sexiest Women of TV” list in early 2008.
We featured Summer and her River Tam character in our Looks That Kill – How Chicks Who Kick Ass feature.
Iconic Character – Cameron on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”
For many fans, Summer’s role as Cameron on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will always be a favorite. We highlihgted this character in our “TV Girlfriends” feature in the “Fox Force Five” catagory. Here’s what we said about the character:
“I love you, Miss Robot,” indeed. The origins of Cameron Phillips are sinister beyond words – she’s a T-888 Terminator whose likeness is modeled after Allison, a faithful soldier in the Resistance against the machines, who was captured, studied and then killed by her doppelganger so Robot Allison could infiltrate Resistance camp and kill John Connor – but despite the fact that she is a remorseless killing machine, Cameron is more human than some actual humans we know. After Connor reprogrammed her and sent her back in time to protect his younger self, Cameron took to ballet dancing in her free time, and despite the fact that she’s incapable of feeling emotion, she’s fascinated by the concept of it, to the point where it frustrates her that she can’t feel anything. Anyone lucky enough to get that close to Cameron – and live – can expect some communication issues (be careful when you speak of ‘killing’ something or someone), and getting her into bed is as high risk/high reward a scenario as they come. Oh, and don’t forget that her memory chip is on the fritz, meaning she can flip out and go full Murder Death Kill on you at any time. But you’ll stay with her anyway, because she’s just that hot. Just try not to freak out as she watches you sleep. ‘Cause she will, since she never sleeps. Ever.
Cameron’s story
Clips of Comeron on the show. And here a quick bikini clip as well!
Summer on the Screen
She’s one of Joss Whedon’s favorites, including a one-off role in an episode of “Angel” and as “River Tam” on “Firefly” and “Serenity.” She’s Cameron Philips on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” Tess on 8 episodes of “The 4400,” and Crystal Burns on “The Unit.” A couple of TV movies in 2006 (“The Initiation of Sarah” and “Mammoth”) were preceded by “Sleepover,” the 2004 disaster from Joe Nussbaum, the once-promising director of “George Lucas in Love.” She also appeared in “Knights of Badassdom.”
Summer on Video
Summer’s FHM Photoshoot
We can’t get enough of this hottie, and here’s an FHM video for starters.
Sexy Summer in killer video from Esquire
See Summer frolick on the beach! The little white bikini is cute.
Serenity Con 07
Short interview at the 2007 Serenity con.
My Fox Interview
Summer and Thomas Dexter interviewed.
Summer Says
On “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”:
“It’s the most difficult acting I’ve ever done. Very, very demanding, and I wanted to do my best because many people don’t get a script like that, especially in TV. It’s just a really special script and it’s definitely my favorite.”
More Summer Glau in “The Sarah Connor Chronicles”
