Mädchen Elaina Amick (/ˈmɛdtʃən ˈeɪmɪk/ MEHD-chən AY-mik; born December 12, 1970) is an American actress and television director. She is known for her starring role as Shelly Johnson on the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991), its prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and its revival television series Twin Peaks: The Return (2017). She was a series regular on Central Park West (1995–1996), Freddie (2005–2006), and Witches of East End (2013–2014). In film, she had starring roles in Sleepwalkers (1992) and Dream Lover (1993). She portrays Alice Smith on The CW's drama television series Riverdale (2017–present).
Mädchen Elaina Amick was born in Sparks, Nevada, a suburb of Reno, the daughter of Judy (née Ross), a medical office manager, and Bill Amick, a musician. Amick's parents are of partial German descent; the name Mädchen, which means "girl" in German, was chosen by her parents because they wanted an unusual name. She is also of Norwegian, Swedish, English and Irish descent.[citation needed] As a young girl, Amick was encouraged by her parents to follow her creative instincts. She learned to play the piano, bass, violin and guitar and took lessons in tap, ballet, jazz and modern dance. In 1987, at the age of 16, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.
After moving to Los Angeles, Amick began her career with guest roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989) and Baywatch (1989). Amick got her first break when director David Lynch chose her to play waitress Shelly Johnson on the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991). Amick's character endured physical abuse at the hands of her criminal husband, Leo, and was one of the most popular characters. Amick went on to work twice more with Lynch—reprising her role as Shelly in the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and in seven episodes of the 2017 Twin Peaks revival series.

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