Marielle Heller

Marielle Stiles Heller (born October 1, 1979) is an American actress, director, and screenwriter whose career has spanned over two decades, evolving from a prolific stage performer to a celebrated filmmaker. Raised in Marin County, California, she was immersed in a creative household—her mother an artist and her father a chiropractor from a Jewish New York family—instilling in her an early love for storytelling that first manifested on the boards of the Alameda Children’s Musical Theater, where she played roles such as Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh and Templeton in Charlotte's Web. After graduating from Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School in 1997, Heller honed her craft at UCLA and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, earning fellowships that foreshadowed her future screenwriting and directorial success. Upon returning to the United States, she sharpened her acting chops at prestigious venues like the Magic Theatre and the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and appeared in television series such as Spin City and Single Dads before transitioning behind the camera. Her directorial debut, The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015), adapted from Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel, garnered critical acclaim at Sundance and Berlin, earning the Grand Prix of Generation 14plus and a nomination for Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards, and established her reputation for nuanced, female‑centric narratives. Heller continued to explore complex biographies with Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018), starring Melissa McCarthy, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019), featuring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, both films praised for their empathetic direction and meticulous period detail. In 2020 she delivered a standout performance as Alma Wheatley in Netflix’s hit series The Queen’s Gambit, proving her versatility across mediums. Beyond her professional achievements, Heller’s personal life—married to comedian Jorma Taccone with two children—has informed her advocacy for sustainable working hours and gender equity in Hollywood, earning her recognition as a leading voice among contemporary female directors.