- published: 04 Aug 2014
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Erica Lei Leerhsen (born February 14, 1976) is an American actress. She is best known for her lead roles in the horror films Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Wrong Turn 2. She is often referred to as a modern day scream queen. She is also known for her acting on television series, such as her lead role in The Guardian and several guest appearances, including The Sopranos, Alias, and others.
Leerhsen was born in New York City, and raised in Ossining, Westchester County, New York, along with her two younger sisters, Debbie and Nora, by their father Charles Leerhsen, a longtime editor of celebrity publication Us Weekly. She attended St. Augustine's School and Ossining High School and graduated from Boston University College of Fine Arts in 1998. She earned BFA in acting the same year.
Leerhsen made her film debut in the short film Junior Creative (2000), as Sarah. The film received several good reviews. She appeared in the horror sequel Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, though she originally auditioned for the part that eventually went to Kim Director. The film was panned by film critics, but it debuted at number 2 with $13,000,000 in the United States, and finished with $26,421,314 Overall, internationally the film made $47,737,094. She was also voted #96 in 2001's Maxim Hot 100.