Larisa Oleynik, born Larisa Romanovna Oleynik on June 7, 1981, in Santa Clara, California, is an American actress known for her roles in television and film. She began her acting career at the age of eight, performing onstage as young Cosette in a national touring production of "Les Misérables." 

This early experience ignited her passion for acting and paved the way for her future in Hollywood. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Alex Mack in the Nickelodeon series "The Secret World of Alex Mack," which aired from 1994 to 1998. Her performance in the show made her a teen idol and established her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Her film career began with her role as Dawn Schafer in the 1995 film adaptation of "The Baby-Sitters Club." She continued to build her filmography with notable roles in "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999), where she played Bianca Stratford, and "An American Rhapsody" (2001), where she starred alongside Nastassja Kinski and Scarlett Johansson. 

She also appeared in the independent drama "Bringing Rain" (2003) and had supporting roles in "Atlas Shrugged: Part II" (2011) and the horror film "Jessabelle" (2014).

In addition to her film work, she has had a successful television career. She had a recurring role as Cynthia Cosgrove on the AMC series "Mad Men" from 2010 to 2015 and voiced the character Icy on the Nickelodeon revival of "Winx Club" from 2011 to 2014. 

She has also made guest appearances on popular shows such as "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Hawaii Five-0," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Her ability to transition between different genres and mediums has made her a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Her personal life has been relatively private. She was born to Roman Oleynik, an anesthesiologist, and Lorraine Allen, a nurse. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she graduated from Pinewood School in Los Altos, California, in 1999.

After achieving success in her acting career, she decided to attend college and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, where she earned a liberal arts degree.

Throughout her career, Larisa Oleynik has received several awards and nominations. She was nominated for multiple Young Artist Awards for her performances in "The Secret World of Alex Mack" and "3rd Rock from the Sun." She also received a YoungStar Award nomination for her role in "10 Things I Hate About You." 

In 2022, she won the Best Actress award at the SYS's Six-Figure Screenplay Contest and Film Festival for her role in "Animal Among Us."