Zima was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of Marie and Dennis.[1] Her surname means "winter" in Polish and comes from her maternal grandfather, who was of Polish descent.[2] Zima has two younger sisters, Vanessa and Yvonne, both of whom are also actresses.[3]
In 2007, Zima played the main role of Mia Lewis in the first two seasons of the Showtime comedy-drama Californication alongside David Duchovny, appearing as a guest in series 3 & 4 through to 2011.[1] In promotion of the fictional book her character wrote, Fucking & Punching, Zima starred in several Californication webisodes featured on YouTube.[5] Zima has also become known for her work in films such as The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,[6]A Cinderella Story,[6]Dimples,[6]Looking for Sunday,[6]Once in a Very Blue Moon,[6]Legacy[6] and The Collector.[6]
In 2020, she appeared in HBO's Perry Mason.[6] In 2021, Zima appeared in an episode of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.[6] In 2022, she landed a recurring role as Casey Brinke / Space Case in season 4 of Doom Patrol.[11] In 2023, she joined Megan Fox in S.K. Dale's upcoming sci-fi thriller Subservience.[12]
Zima was nominated three times for a YoungStar Award, in 1995, 1997 and 1999, all for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series for The Nanny.
1993 – Best Young Actress Under Ten in a Motion Picture for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
1994 – Best Youth Actress Leading Role in a Motion Picture Comedy and for Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series, shared with Benjamin Salisbury and Nicholle Tom, both for The Nanny
1995 – Best Performance by a Youth Actress as a TV Guest Star for Law & Order, and Best Performance by a Youth Ensemble in a Television Series shared with Nicholle Tom and Benjamin Salisbury, Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a TV Series, all of them for The Nanny
1996 – Best Performance by a Young Actress in a TV Comedy Series for The Nanny
1998 – Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series by a Supporting Young Actress for The Nanny
2001 – Best Performance in a TV Movie (Drama) by a Leading Young Actress for The Sandy Bottom Orchestra
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