Hollywood actress has local roots

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- A young woman with New Ulm roots is making a big splash here in the movies and on television.

Alison Lohman, 21, the grand daughter of Bob Lohman, of Tucson, Ariz. formerly of New Ulm, and the late Ann Lohman, will play lead roles in Warner Bros. "White Oleander" and Universal Studio's supernatural thriller "Dragonfly."

Lohman was recently chosen for the plum leading role of Michelle Pfeiffer's daughter in "White Oleander." Lohman was chosen after an exhaustive search that included casting calls in eight cities and Hollywood's best young actresses.

Lohman will play Astrid Magnussen in the movie based on a novel of the same title by Janet Fitch.

Pfeiffer plays Ingrid Magnussen, a feminist poet that poisons her ex-boyfriend in a fit of jealousy and is sentenced to life in prison. That forces her orphaned daughter Astrid (Lohman) to deal with living in Los Angeles foster homes. She endures a wringer of tough times with five different women, junkie foster parents and addicted fellow foster kids.

Lohman gets a chance to have her mother back, but would have to forfeit the truth about what took place. Movie production began April 23, 2001.

Called an "up-and-comer" by the Hollywood Reporter, Lohman was chosen to play another lead role as a child with leukemia in "Dragonfly" that includes Kevin Costner.

Lohman played earlier lead movie roles in "Alex In Wonder," "Delivering Milo," "The Million Dollar Kid," "White Boy" and "Kraa, The Sea Monster."

She also appears on "Pasadena," a new one-hour television drama on the Fox Network. The show also starts Dana Delaney, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Christopher Marquette.

Lohman also appeared on television in "Sharing The Secret," "Tucker," "Safe Harbor," "Minor Threat," "Crusade," "Seventh Heaven," "Pacific Blue," and "Planet Patrol."

She also appeared on stage at the McCallum Theatre, College of the Desert and West Coast Youth Ballet.

The featured vocalist in the "Desert Symphony Music Series," and "Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Ball."

Lohman won the Riverside International Date Festival Talent Contest in 1992, 1993, and 1994. She received acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Julie Ariola and David Proval; dance training at Moro Landis Studios.

She attended acting, music and dance courses at the College of the Desert and California Summer School For Arts.

Lohman is listed with United Talent Agency, Inc. and Double R Management, both of Los Angeles.

Her hobbies include ice skating, in-line skating, snow boarding, swimming, tennis, water skiing, guitar, piano, ballet, horseback riding, jazz, modeling, singing and tap dancing.