Marianna Palka
Marianna Bronislawa Barbara Palka (born 7 September 1981) is a Scottish actress, producer, director, and writer. She is the writer, director and star of the film "Good Dick", which screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Early life and education. Palka was born in Glasgow, Scotland. At the age of 17, Palka moved to New York City to study at the Atlantic Theater Company. Career. Palka wrote, directed and starred in "Good Dick", which competed in the Dramatic Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The film also featured Jason Ritter, Martin Starr, Mark Webber, Charles Durning and Tom  Arnold. "The New York Times" said the film "surmounts its indie-movie quirkiness with exceptional acting and a sincere belief in the salvation of its wounded characters.” Palka returned to 2010 Sundance Film Festival as a Juror with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Palka appeared in Peter Mullan’s "Neds", Jeremiah Jones’ "Restive", Bryce Dallas Howard’s "When You Find Me", Nathan Sutton's "Autumn Wanderer" and Sylvia Sether's "King of Norway." In 2014, Palka produced and was the subject of the HBO Lucy Walker documentary "The Lion's Mouth Opens", which follows the process of Palka discovering she  has inherited the genetic mutation that causes Huntington’s disease, and which was nominated for an Emmy Award and shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination. Palka made a cameo in the HBO series "Girls" as Jessa's (Jemima Kirke) sister. As of 2017, Palka appears as Reggie 'Vicky the Viking' Walsh in the Netflix series "G.L.O.W" . Palka wrote, directed and starred in "Bitch", based on a true story from Scottish doctor R.D. Laing of a mother acting like a dog after a psychotic break. The film made its round in film festivals around the world, after its world premiere at  2017 Sundance Film Festival. In 2017, Palka directed the feature film "EGG" starring Christina Hendricks, Alysia Reiner and Anna Camp and produced by Michele Ganeless. Theater. In 2010, Palka performed in "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. In 2012, she was in The Ensemble Theater in Santa Barbara, California, reading of "The Good Soldier". She appeared in Martin McDonagh's "The Lonesome West" at the Actor's Gang Theatre, Los Angeles, and in Conor McPherson's "Dublin Carol" at the Ensemble Theatre Company.