Molly Gordon

Molly June Gordon (born December 6, 1994) is an accomplished American actress, screenwriter and director. Her talent has seen her appear in the drama TV series Animal Kingdom (2016–2018), and comedy films Life of the Party (2018), Booksmart (2019), and Good Boys (2019). In 2023, she demonstrated her multifaceted abilities in the field of arts by co-directing, co-writing and starring in the musical comedy film Theater Camp. She also took on a recurring role as Claire on the FX series The Bear (2023–present). Gordon's upbringing in Venice, Los Angeles, by parents invested in the arts significantly influenced her career path. Her father, Bryan Gordon, is a director, and her mother, Jessie Nelson, a writer-director.

It was evident from a young age she was destined for a career in performance. She starred in productions of Fiddler on the Roof at age four and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at age five alongside fellow actor Ben Platt. Together with Platt and Beanie Feldstein, Gordon formed a group called the Theater Geeks of America, which often performed at local retirement homes. Following a stint at New York University, she plunged into her career, starting with minor roles in off-Broadway, television, and film productions. She played Nicky in the TNT pilot Animal Kingdom, Maddie in the 2018 comedy film Life of the Party, and Alice Spencer in the Off-Broadway production of Alice by Heart, co-written by her mother. She later transitioned into more prominent roles like Annabelle in Booksmart and as Maya in Shiva Baby. Furthermore, she ventured into production and direction with the musical comedy film Theater Camp.