Born in South Carolina in 1982, Anna Camp received her B.F.A. at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2004 (the alma mater of Danny McBride, Paul Schneider, and director David Gordon Green). It was theatre that provided Anna with steady work soon after graduating, and her first big break was opposite Daniel Radcliffe in the Broadway revival of “Equus,” the psychological drama that was translated to film by Sidney Lumet in 1977. While the material was difficult for Anna, she embraced the role, stating “You only live once and you have to take those risks because you’ll only be a better person or actor because of it”.
Also in 2007, Anna was part of the ensemble for the pilot “Reinventing the Wheelers” that was not picked up by ABC, as well as the romantic comedy “And Then Came Love” starring Vanessa Williams. But it was 2008 on HBO’s “True Blood” in which Anna emerged as an attention grabber in nine episodes as Sarah Newlin. More recently, she has appeared in episodes of “The Office,” “Glee” and “Mad Men.”
Anna Camp on Video
Screen Actors Guild Award Red Carpet
Anna and Michael McMillian chat on the red carpet.
Anna on the Screen
Her big screen debut was “And Then Came Love,” the 2007 romantic comedy with Vanessa Williams and Eartha Kitt in her final film performance. She’s Becca French in “Pretty Bird” (directed by fellow University of North Carolina School of the Arts alum Paul Schneider), Sarah Newlin for nine episodes on “True Blood,” Penny in an episode of “The Office,” Candace Dystra for one episode of “Glee,” and Bethany Van Nuys on “Mad Men.”
Anna Says
On performance:
“I’d rather do something and take a risk, and art is about pushing people’s buttons and getting people excited about things.”
On timing:
“My father, who went to military school, says if you’re early, you’re on time; if you’re on time you’re late and if you’re late you’re dead.”
On recognition:
“I enjoy being anonymous. But I want to be successful at what I do.”
Anna Camp Photos:
Anna Camp on “Mad Men”
Anna Camp on “True Blood”