# Stephanie Niznik

Stephanie Lynne Niznik (May 20, 1967 – June 23, 2019) was an American film, television, and theatre actress, most famous for her role as Nina Feeney on Everwood.

## Early life and career

Niznik grew up in Brewer, Maine, and was co-valedictorian of the Class of 1986 at John Bapst Memorial High School where she was an exchange student to Paris, participated in genetic research at the Jackson Laboratory, and was a National Merit Scholar. She intended to become a geneticist and gained early acceptance to Harvard University before entering and graduating magna cum laude from Duke University where she was an Angier B. Duke Scholar. At Duke Niznik changed her goals, majoring in theater and Russian. She then graduated from the California Institute of the Arts. Besides Everwood, Niznik's television roles include guest roles on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Profiler, Sliders, JAG, Frasier, Epoch, Star Trek: Enterprise, Traveler, and Diagnosis: Murder, in addition to being a series regular on the mid-1990s action drama Vanishing Son and the 2007 drama Life Is Wild. She also appeared in the films Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Exit to Eden (1994). After retiring from acting in 2009, Niznik focused on volunteerism, including involvement with organizations that helped children, the hungry, and animals.

## Death

She died in Encino, Los Angeles on June 23, 2019, at the age of 52, from chronic liver disease and alcohol use.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | Exit to Eden | Diana | |
| 1996 | The Twilight of the Golds | Shauna | |
| 1996 | Dear God | Emanda Maine | |
| 1998 | Memorial Day | Robin Connors | |
| 1998 | Star Trek: Insurrection | Kell Perim | |
| 1999 | Kismet | Stephanie | Short film |
| 1999 | Anywhere but Here | Waitress | |
| 2001 | Spiders II: Breeding Ground | Alexandra | |
| 2001 | Epoch | Dr. K.C. Czaban | |
| 2001 | Beyond the City Limits | Reporter | |
| 2009 | The Twenty | Dot | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | Vanishing Son | Agent Judith Phillips | Main cast |
| 1995 | Renegade | Laurie Hayes | Episode: "Most Wanted" |
| 1995 | Murder, She Wrote | Dorie Saunders | Episode: "Home Care" |
| 1996 | The Sentinel | Maggie Bryce | Episode: "The Rig" |
| 1996 | Apollo 11 | Reporter #3 | TV movie |
| 1997 | The Guardian | C.C. | TV movie |
| 1997 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Rose | Episode: "The Most Fatal Disease" |
| 1997 | Sliders | Debra Carbol | Episode: "Sole Survivors" |
| 1997 | JAG | Lt. 'Hobo' Green | Episode: "Vanished" |
| 1997, 1999 | Viper | Lena Weisinger | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Mr. Murder | Dr. Roget | TV movie |
| 1998 | L.A. Doctors | Alyssa | Episode: "A Prayer for the Lying" |
| 1998 | Emma's Wish | Kelly Short | TV movie |
| 1998 | Profiler | Susan Moss | Episode: "Cravings" |
| 1998 | Inferno | Erika | TV movie |
| 1998 | Diagnosis: Murder | Caitlin Sweeney | 4 episodes |
| 1999 | Nash Bridges | Riley Parker | Episode: "Frisco Blues" |
| 1999 | Family Law | Tina Holmes | Episode: "Damages" |
| 2000 | Diagnosis: Murder | Laura Caine | Episode: "Blind Man's Bluff" |
| 2001 | Epoch | Dr. KC Czaban | TV movie |
| 2002 | Star Trek: Enterprise | The Wraith | Episode: "Rogue Planet" |
| 2002–06 | Everwood | Nina Feeney | Recurring role (season 1), main cast (seasons 2–4) |
| 2007 | Grey's Anatomy | Carol | Episode: "The Other Side of This Life: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 2007 | Traveler | Kate | Episode: "The Tells" |
| 2007–08 | Life Is Wild | Jo Weller-Clarke | Main cast |
| 2008 | CSI: Miami | Deborah Radley | Episode: "To Kill a Predator" |
| 2008 | Eli Stone | Delia Slater | Episode: "Two Ministers" |
| 2009 | NCIS | Inmate Sharon Bellows | Episode: "Caged" |
| 2009 | Lost | Dr. Evelyn Ariza | Episode: "The Little Prince" |