In recent years, Snow has begun working behind the camera as well. She’s produced multiple projects and directed two short films. Snow has also been an advocate for multiple non-profit organizations, using her Hollywood recognition for a good cause. She’s got several projects in the pipeline, including a role in the second season of Netflix’s The Night Agent, but these are her best tv and movie roles so far.
Related
Parachute writer and director Brittany Snow discusses casting Courtney Eaton, writing a character for Dave Bautista, and representing mental health.
10 Guiding Light (1998-2001)
As Susan “Daisy” Lemay
Guiding Light
Guiding Light chronicles the complex lives, relationships, and challenges of the residents of the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield, blending drama, romance, and interpersonal conflicts over several decades.
Cast E.J. Bonilla , Stuart Ambrose , Justin Deas , Beth Chamberlin , Bradley Cole , Kim Zimmer , Ron Raines , Emme Rylan , Frank Dicopoulos , Krista Tesreau , Nicole Forester , George Jefferies , Kirk McGee , Robert Newman , Michael O'Leary , M. Ryan Vazquez , Josh Adam Davis , Gunna Wilson , Marco Barricelli , Nadine Avola , Shirl Bernheim , Richard Borg , Susan Lynn Bragg , Gregory Burke , Chevi Colton , Leona Cyphers , Mark Deakins , Mark Derwin
Release Date January 29, 1952
Seasons 72
Creator(s) Irna Phillips
...working on a soap opera is a crash course for those starting out in the entertainment industry.
Though Brittany Snow appeared in ad campaigns as a model beforehand, her first professional acting job came in 1998 when she landed a role for the soap opera Guiding Light. Guiding Light was one of the longest-running soap operas of all time. It began as a radio show in 1937 and began transitioning to television in 1952 before completely making the leap in 1959. The show ran until 2009 when CBS canceled the series for its low ratings.
When Snow appeared on the series, it was in the role of a troubled teenager. Another actress had played the role in 1994, and another actress took over the role when the character was brought back in 2007. Snow started her time in the role when she was just 12, so she had to be able to keep up with the more experienced actors on set.
While it might not be Snow’s absolute best role to date, working on a soap opera is a crash course for those starting out in the entertainment industry. Soap operas move very quickly, sometimes filming new episodes in a matter of days instead of weeks because new episodes air almost daily throughout the year instead of weekly during a primetime television lineup. To work on a soap opera, actors have to be able to credibly pull off dramatic roles without requiring many takes.
Snow was nominated for a Young Artist Award all three years that she was on Guiding Light, winning once.
9 The Pacifier (2005)
As Zoe Plummer
The Pacifier
Director Adam Shankman
Release Date March 4, 2005
Runtime 91 minutes
Working on television for a few years gave Brittany Snow a good foundation for her craft. By 2005, she booked her first role in a feature film for the kid-friendly The Pacifier. Snow played the oldest of five siblings who have recently lost their father, a man working on a secret project for the government.
Vin Diesel plays the government agent assigned to watch over the kids while their mother is tasked with retrieving their father’s work. Snow and Diesel’s characters get to bond over their losses in the past, and Snow gets to play an integral part in the movie’s big action sequence. Her character is someone learning to drive, and she purposely leads the police on a chase right back to their house to capture the villains trying to steal her father’s work.
While most of Snow’s work before this leaned more toward drama, playing Zoe allowed her to show off some of her more comedic talents, which worked well for her in the teen movies she would appear in during the future.
8 American Dreams (2002-2005)
As Meg Pryor
American Dreams is a drama series set in the 1960s, following the Pryor family in Philadelphia as they navigate cultural changes and historical events, with a focus on teen daughter Meg's passion for dance and her experiences on the iconic TV show American Bandstand.
Cast Gail O'Grady , Tom Verica , Brittany Snow , Jonathan Adams , Vanessa Lengies , Arlen Escarpeta , Sarah Ramos , Ethan Dampf , Will Estes , Rachel Boston , Paul D. Roberts , Keith D. Robinson , Matthew John Armstrong , Jamie Elman , Aysia Polk , Peter Spellos , Davis Neves , Joey Lawrence
Release Date September 29, 2002
Creator(s) Jonathan Prince , Josh Goldstein
American Dreams is set in the early 1960s, centering on a middle class Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia whose oldest daughter ends up as one of the dancers on American Bandstand. In the background, many of the big events of the decade contribute to the show’s story arcs, like Kennedy being shot, the Vietnam War, and the social conflicts between Black and white Americans.
Snow plays the eldest daughter. Much of the show stems from her life as the family’s storylines are often centered around her. While Snow is largely playing a typical girl-next-door part, her character also becomes embroiled in the social upheaval of the decade, allowing her some dramatic work. Though the show offered a great concept, steadily declining ratings meant the show didn’t make it beyond its third season.
The young actors in
American Dreams
were nominated for a Young Artist Award and for multiple Teen Choice Awards.
7 Prom Night (2008)
As Donna Keppel
A reboot of the first film in the Prom Night film franchise, the 2008 entry follows high school freshman Donna Keppel three years after her family is murdered by her biology teacher, now living a new life with her aunt and uncle. Preparing for her prom, Donna soon discovers she and her friend's lives are in danger when her former teacher escapes from prison.
Director Nelson McCormick
Release Date April 11, 2008
Writers J.S. Cardone
Cast Scott Porter , Jessica Stroup , Dana Davis , Collins Pennie , Kelly Blatz , James Ransone , Brianne Davis , Johnathon Schaech , Idris Elba Runtime 90 Minutes
Prom Night was a reboot of the 1980s horror franchise of the same name. It went into development several years earlier. Though it received mostly negative reviews, the movie was a box office hit. Plenty of people wanted to enjoy a cheesy slasher flick when it released.
Though the movie as a whole was seen as predictable and not adding anything of note to the teen slasher subgenre of horror, fans of the genre also recognized that Snow was very capable with the material she was given to work with. She stars as Donna, a high school senior who just wants to celebrate prom with her friends, but the man who stalked her and killed her parents foils her plans.
The movie is a great glimpse into Snow’s abilities since she would go onto appear in several more horror movies and thrillers in her career.
Related
Prom Night's 2008 remake did not win over critics upon release, but the slasher movie showcased beautiful filming locations full of horror history.
6 John Tucker Must Die (2006)
As Kate Spencer
John Tucker Must Die is a teen comedy film directed by Betty Thomas. The story follows three high school girls who learn they have been dating the same guy, John Tucker, and team up with a new girl to exact revenge. Their elaborate plan to bring him down takes unexpected turns, leading to humorous and insightful moments about relationships, popularity, and self-identity. The film stars Jesse Metcalfe, Brittany Snow, and Ashanti.
Director Betty Thomas
Release Date July 28, 2006
Writers Jeff Lowell
Cast Jesse Metcalfe , Brittany Snow , Ashanti , Sophia Bush , Arielle Kebbel , Penn Badgley
Runtime 89 minutes
John Tucker Must Die often gets forgotten in discussions of early 2000s teen comedies, which is a shame because it has a pretty stellar cast. In addition to Snow, the movie also stars Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel, Ashanti, Penn Badgley, and Jesse Metcalfe, a virtual who’s who among teen programs at the time.
Snow stars as Kate, a high-schooler who never seems to get the chance to make any lasting friendships because her mother moves her around so much. Kate is already jaded beyond her years thanks to watching how her mother experiences romantic relationships - and then moves them to a new city to avoid her feelings about the breakups. Kate decides to use her knowledge of relationships to help three classmates who have all been unknowingly dating the same guy.
The movie is funny and the cast has fantastic chemistry. It might not have been a box office sensation, but it’s one of Snow’s most fun projects out of all of her movies and television shows. In 2024, it was officially confirmed that a John Tucker Must Die sequel is in development as well.
5 Hairspray (2007)
As Amber Von Tussle
Hairspray is a musical comedy film directed by Adam Shankman, based on the Broadway musical of the same name. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it follows teenager Tracy Turnblad, played by Nikki Blonsky, who dreams of dancing on a popular TV show. Featuring performances by John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Zac Efron, the film explores themes of racial integration and body positivity.
Director Adam Shankman
Release Date July 19, 2007
Writers Leslie Dixon , John Waters , Mark O'Donnell , Thomas Meehan
Runtime 115 minutes
...Snow got to let her inner mean girl out...
After spending several years of her acting career playing girl-next-door types, Snow got to let her inner mean girl out in Hairspray. The 2007 movie is inspired by the Broadway musical, which in turn, is inspired by the 1980s movie. Like the Broadway show, this movie is a musical, and Snow gets to show off some of her vocals in it.
Snow speaks with a slightly higher voice than usual as Amber, playing up Amber’s beautiful image, while trying to maintain an iron grip of her position as the most popular dancer on a local television station in the 1960s. Amber is one of the antagonists in the movie, so she doesn’t get as much screen time as the main characters, but Snow is great in the role that goes so against her natural inclinations.
Related
Nikki Blonsky was a breakthrough star in the 2007 musical Hairspray yet her career never took off the way many expected. What happened to her?
Snow is an anti-bullying advocate and is one of the founders of the Love is Louder movement for the JED Foundation. She has long been involved in projects that aim to reduce bullying and prevent suicides among young people.
Hairspray
was nominated for a slew of awards, including Best Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes.
4 96 Minutes (2011)
As Carley
96 Minutes is a tense narrative intertwining the lives of four individuals whose paths collide during a harrowing carjacking. The film explores each character's journey, interlaced with the central event, as they collectively face the ramifications of a pivotal, life-altering moment.
Director Aimee Lagos
Release Date October 14, 2011
Cast Brittany Snow , Christian Serratos , David Oyelowo , Evan Ross , Anna Enger Ritch , Sylvia Jefferies , Sharon Conley , Hosea Chanchez , Justin Martin , J. Michael Trautmann , Elena Varela , Charles Black
Runtime 93 minutes
96 Minutes didn’t get a huge theatrical release, so it’s unlikely that a huge number of people have seen the thriller. It did premiere at SXSW in 2011 and was shared at several film festivals over the next year.
Snow stars in the movie as a teenage girl who has been fighting with her father. She’s upset that he might not make it for her graduation, but that ends up to be the least of her problems as she and her classmate Lena (Christian Serratos) end up kidnapped by a pair of boys who attempt to steal a car while they’re talking by it. Lena is the character whose life is in the most danger during the movie, but Snow’s character is the one who gets to provide a point of view for the audience.
The bulk of the movie chronicles the 96 minutes following the two young women leaving a restaurant and ending up in trouble. Though the movie ends in tragedy, Snow’s performance is a powerful one. It earned her the Best Actress Award at the Boston Film Festival.
3 Someone Great (2019)
As Blair Helms
Someone Great is a romantic comedy directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. The film stars Gina Rodriguez as Jenny Young, an aspiring music journalist who navigates a fresh breakup with the support of her two best friends, played by Brittany Snow and DeWanda Wise. As they embark on one last adventure in New York City, the trio rediscovers their bond, embracing the theme of personal growth and friendship.
Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Release Date April 19, 2019
Writers Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Runtime 92 Minutes
Someone Great was a huge hit for Netflix when it landed on the streamer. Inspired by songs from Taylor Swift and Lorde, and bringing a Lizzo song to the top of the charts, the movie helped musicians as much as it did the actors in the cast get recognized by critics.
Someone Great follows Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) after she gets hired for her dream job and her boyfriend dumps her. She sets out to have one last hurrah with her best friends before moving for her job. One of those friends is Snow’s Blair who has lost chemistry with her own boyfriend and is struggling to find a way to break up with him.
The magic of the movie is really among the friends. The idea of friends helping one another get through relationship troubles isn’t a new one, but Rodriguez, Snow, and DeWanda Wise have fantastic chemistry together. It’s easy to believe that the three of them have been friends forever and won’t let anything pull them apart.
2 X (2022)
As Bobby-Lynne Parker
Director Ti West presents X, a horror slasher film set in 1979 in rural Texas that follows a group of amateur filmmakers attempting to shoot a pornographic film. When the group gets further along in the film, and the elderly homeowners take notice, they slowly realize they've drawn their formerly gracious hosts' ire - and jealously.
Director Ti West
Release Date March 18, 2022
Writers Ti West
Cast Martin Henderson , Mia Goth , Jenna Ortega , Stephen Ure , Scott Mescudi , Brittany Snow , Owen Campbell Runtime 105 minutes
X kicked off a horror trilogy from Ti West. Mia Goth stars in all three installments as both Maxine and Pearl, so she is the performer who often gets the most recognition for her work in the movie, but the ensemble here provides her with great support.
X follows a group of performers and artists setting out to record an adult film at an isolated farmhouse. While there, they end up in the middle of a violent story that sees almost all of the participants killed. Snow stars as Bobby-Lynne Parker, a burlesque dancer who is one of the stars of the adult film.
The movie has been praised as a love letter to slasher flicks of the past, and specifically to the movies of the 1970s that it homages. It’s the rare horror movie to be almost universally loved by critics and audience members.
1 The Pitch Perfect Trilogy (2012-2017)
As Chloe Beale
Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy film directed by Jason Moore, starring Anna Kendrick as Beca, a college freshman who reluctantly joins her school's all-female a cappella group, the Barden Bellas. The Bellas strive to win the national competition in the male-dominated world of collegiate a cappella by reinventing their dated repertoire with new, dynamic arrangements. The cast also includes Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow.
Director Jason Moore
Release Date September 28, 2012
Writers Kay Cannon , Mickey Rapkin
Cast Anna Kendrick , Skylar Astin , Ben Platt , Brittany Snow , Anna Camp , Rebel Wilson Runtime 112 minutes
...the
Pitch Perfect
movies are a great showcase of her talent and...
Some movie fans will argue that Brittany Snow’s best movie isn’t one of the Pitch Perfect trilogy members. While, technically, there might be better-made movies in her acting resume, the Pitch Perfect movies are a great showcase of her talent and tremendously entertaining.
The original movie is actually inspired by real a cappella groups participating in collegiate competitions. Snow plays a member of an all-female a cappella group called the Barden Bellas who are trying to rebuild their reputation in the first film. Each movie expands on just where the group has found success and gives them new conflicts.
Related
Though it's been many years since the last sequel, the possibility of Pitch Perfect 4 is higher than ever, and there have been exciting updates.
The real fun of the movies is the rapid-fire jokes among the Bellas and their intricate performance numbers. Everyone in the cast is a triple threat, capable of acting, dancing, and singing as their characters. Chloe is one of the most memorable roles Brittany Snow has ever played.
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