The Longevity of Mae Whitman: International Women’s Day

Screen Shot 2015-03-09 at 8.03.09 PMBy Associate Editor Brigid K. Presecky

After venturing out to see The Duff for the second time, I have come to the realization that actress Mae Whitman has been a permanent fixture in the background of my 22-year-old life. As this week marks International Women’s Day, Whitman should be recognized for her outstanding acting in both television and film – and the characters she has chosen to portray for the past two decades.

At a very early age, I coveted my VHS-taped copy of One Fine Day and sympathized with poor, little bespectacled Bernice in Hope Floats. I’d occasionally notice her when I’d sneak downstairs to catch a rerun of Friends or a glimpse of Chicago Hope. As years would pass, I’d glance up from my pile of high school homework and she’d be there again, only this time as crocked-back Heather Douglas on Grey’s Anatomy. Or I would go to the movies with friends and she’d be the rebellious teenage daughter in Nights in Rodanthe.

hopefloatsI wouldn’t take notice of her strong, subtle talent until she landed the role of Amber Holt on NBC’s drama Parenthood, making its series debut in Spring 2010. Her performance of a girl trying to find her way never won her an Emmy or a Golden Globe, but instead won her the hearts of loyal fans for six wonderful years. Unlike the vast majority of young female characters (in both television and film), Amber was never defined by her boyfriend. Rather, Whitman brought Amber to life with an unwavering ability to make her relatable, funny, raw, and gut-wrenchingly real. The character didn’t save lives or solve cases or defeat zombies, but exemplified an everyday girl, a decent person. Whitman took the audience along for Amber’s ride, making every viewer cry on cue as Craig T. Nelson warns, “You do not have permission to mess with my dreams.”

Shortly after Parenthood ended its six-year run in January 2015, Whitman took to the big screen, starring opposite Robbie Amell in The Duff. Once again, the character represents a confident, empowering girl who fails to fit a high school stereotype. Whether the characters she plays battle physical hurdles or emotional struggles, the realism she brings to each role has made her a successful actress for the past 20 years. There’s no doubt more people will take notice for the next 20. As I walked out of The Duff, again, the music blared “All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, is somebody to you …” In my own life, Mae Whitman has succeeded in doing just that.

TheDuff1

© Brigid K. Presecky (3/9/15)

Top Photo: Mae Whitman as “Amber” and Craig T. Nelson as “Zeek” in Parenthood (Photo Credit: NBC Universal)

Middle Photo: Sandra Bullock as “Birdee” and Mae Whitman as “Bernice” in Hope Floats

Bottom Photo: Robbie Amell as “Wesley” and Mae Whitman as “Bianca” in The Duff (Photo Credit: Guy D’Alema/CBS Films).

76 comments

  1. I get pleasure from, cause I found exactly what I used to be looking
    for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
    God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  2. What i don’t understood is in reality how you are no longer really much more neatly-preferred than you might be now.
    You’re very intelligent. You know thus considerably in the case of this matter, produced me personally
    believe it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women aren’t involved except
    it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice.
    Always handle it up!

  3. Nice blog right here! Additionally your website loads up fast!
    What host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  4. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long
    comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show
    up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just
    wanted to say superb blog!

  5. Definitely imagine that that you said. Your favorite justification seemed to
    be at the net the simplest factor to have in mind of.
    I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as other people
    think about issues that they plainly do not recognise about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , folks could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  6. Generally I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say that
    this write-up very compelled me to try and do so!

    Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.

  7. Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you
    can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  8. Whats up this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use
    WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get guidance from
    someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  9. I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.

    I surprise how so much effort you put to create this sort of great informative site.

  10. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for
    me to come here and visit more often. Did you
    hire out a designer to create your theme? Superb work!

  11. Fantastic blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other
    knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Kudos!

  12. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.

    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform.
    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there a
    way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help
    would be greatly appreciated!

  13. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much
    about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I
    think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home
    a bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read.

    I will definitely be back.

    my site; deposit poker pulsa

  14. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts
    on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.

    Studying this information So i am glad to show that
    I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out just
    what I needed. I such a lot certainly will make certain to don?t put
    out of your mind this site and give it a glance regularly.

  15. Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  16. Good post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this
    topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Bless you!

  17. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles
    or blog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site.

    Studying this info So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I’ve
    an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
    I so much undoubtedly will make certain to do not omit
    this site and give it a look regularly.

  18. Thanks for every other magnificent post. Where
    else may anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal approach of writing?
    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for such info.

  19. My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I might as well check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.

  20. Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was
    just curious if you get a lot of spam comments? If so how do you
    stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately
    it’s driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.

  21. Normally I do not learn article on blogs, however I would like
    to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so!
    Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very great post.

  22. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed
    and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.

    Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  23. I simply could not go away your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person supply in your visitors?
    Is gonna be back continuously in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  24. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
    Did you hire out a developer to create your
    theme? Excellent work!

  25. Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the challenges.
    It was definitely informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
    Thanks for sharing!

  26. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your site, how could
    i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a appropriate deal.
    I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright transparent idea

  27. Wow, incredible blog layout! How lengthy have you ever
    been blogging for? you made blogging look easy.

    The overall look of your web site is magnificent, let alone the content material!

  28. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
    matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking
    forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  29. No matter if some one searches for his required thing, therefore he/she wants to be available that in detail,
    therefore that thing is maintained over here.

  30. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
    but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please
    share. Cheers!

  31. Heya this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting
    to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you
    have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get guidance from someone
    with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  32. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time
    a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?

    Cheers!

  33. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?

    I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing
    between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.

    P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to
    ask!

  34. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog?

    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.

    But maybe you could a little more in the way of content
    so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful
    lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *