Karen Gillan, Scottish actress
Karen Sheila Gillan (; born 28 November 1987) is a Scottish actress and filmmaker. Gillan gained recognition for her work in British film and television, particularly for playing Amy Pond, a primary companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who (2010–2013), for which she received several awards and nominations. Her early film roles include Ally in the thriller film Outcast (2010) and Jane Lockhart in the romantic comedy film Not Another Happy Ending (2013). She made her transition to Hollywood starring as Kaylie Russell in the horror film Oculus (2013), her first commercial success in the United States, and thereafter played the lead in the sitcom Selfie (2014).
Gillan subsequently achieved international stardom for portraying Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). She is set to reprise the role in the upcoming films Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). Gillan has maintained mainstream prominence with her portrayal of Ruby Roundhouse in the action films Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), both of which reached commercial success. On stage, she appeared in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence (2011) and made her Broadway debut in the play Time to Act (2013). Gillan garnered critical acclaim for her involvement as writer, director and headliner in the drama film The Party's Just Beginning (2018).
Gillan's accolades include an Empire Award, a National Television Award, a Teen Choice Award and nominations for a BAFTA Scotland Award and a Saturn Award. Aside from acting, she has also been noted for her public image and activism, particularly towards suicide prevention.