Roxana Zal (born November 8, 1969) is an American former actress and fashion designer. In 1984, at the age of 14, she became the youngest Primetime Emmy Award winner for her title role in the television film Something About Amelia.[1]
Zal was born and raised in Malibu, California, the daughter of Maureen and Hossein Zal, an Iranian-born Los Angeles investor.[2] Zal was keen to take up acting when aged 8, however her parents resisted, until her aunt persuaded them to allow her several years later.[3]
She began acting aged 11[3] and secured her first acting role as a guest spot on Hart to Hart towards the end of 1981.
In 1983, Zal appeared in the films Table for Five starring Jon Voight and Testament opposite Jane Alexander. In 1984 she won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in the television film Something About Amelia. She also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film nomination for her performance.[4] Zal later starred in the 1986 independent crime film River's Edge and in 1989 starred in the teen romantic drama film Under the Boardwalk.[5] In 1989, she appeared as young mother Cissy McClure in Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure, the real life story about the rescue of Jessica McClure two years prior. At the time, she was a second-year student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and filmed the role while studying world arts and cultures.[3]
In 1990, Zal appeared in a number of made-for-television and independent films playing supporting roles. She also guest starred in a number of television series, including Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Pretender and NCIS. In 2006, she was a regular cast member on the MyNetworkTV telenovela Watch Over Me.
Zal left acting and became a fashion designer in the 2000s.[6]