Alessandra Torresani


Alessandra Olivia Toreson, known professionally as Alessandra Torresani and prior to 2007, Alessandra Toreson, is an American actress. She is best known for playing Zoe Graystone in the science fiction television series Caprica and Claire in The Big Bang Theory.

Early life

Alessandra Olivia Toreson was born on May 29, 1987, in Palo Alto, California. Her mother, Marcia Glow, was a chief executive officer, while her father, James Sylvester Toreson, ran startup tech companies. She began studying dancing and singing when she was two years old. At the age of 8, she landed a job doing interviews between cartoons on The WB Television Network. She holds a black belt in taekwondo.

Career

Torresani's television debut was at age nine when she hosted the "Kids' WB Club" for San Francisco's KBWB. She co-starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Going to the Mat. Her other television credits include guest appearances on Even Stevens, JAG, ER, The War at Home, Malcolm In The Middle, Arrested Development, ', and ' among others. In May 2008, Torresani was cast as Zoe Graystone in Syfy's Caprica, a prequel spin-off of Battlestar Galactica, which debuted in 2009.
In 2009, Rolling Stone announced that she was cast to play Lita Ford in The Runaways, a biopic about the all-girl punk band of the same name. Variety later reported that it was Scout Taylor-Compton who would play Ford. In 2010, Torresani was featured as a Girl of Maxim.
In 2013 Torresani starred in the comedy web series Husbands, which first aired on September 13, 2011.
In 2016, she made a few appearances on The Big Bang Theory, playing the role of bartender and aspiring screenwriter, Claire.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997KaBlam!n/aEpisode: "Brothers Tiki"
1998ERKateEpisode: "Stuck on You"
1999WorkingTiffanyEpisode: "The Prodigy"
1999My Last LoveEmmaMovie
2000PopularEmily/EmmaEpisode: "Baby, Don't Do It!"
2000Even StevensMimi NagurskiEpisode: "Luscious Lou"
2003NewtonHolly PryorMovie
2001, 2003Malcolm in the MiddleSara Coleman/KirstenEpisodes: "Malcolm's Girlfriend", "Thanksgiving"
2004Going to the MatMary Beth RiceMovie
2004JAGSusan SmithfieldEpisode: "Coming Home"
2004Arrested DevelopmentAnn VealEpisode: "Let 'Em Eat Cake", character was portrayed by Mae Whitman in every other appearance
2004Grounded for LifeCarolynEpisode: "I'm Looking Through You"
2005Love, Inc.HollyEpisode: "Major Dad"
2005The War at HomeAlisonEpisode: "The Bigger They Come"
2006Grand UnionMeaghan McBrideMovie
2007BonesTeenaged Girl ElfEpisode: "The Santa in the Slush"
2008Happy CampersDylan DixonMovie
2008'Jordan CowanEpisode: "The Turk"
2009'Bree LindaleEpisode: "Turn, Turn, Turn"
2009–2010CapricaZoe GraystoneSeries regular
2011RuPaul's Drag RaceHerself/Guest judgeEpisode: "Queens in Space"
2011Warehouse 13Meagan ReeseEpisode: "Shadows"
2011–2013HusbandsHaley8 episodes
2011American Horror StoryStephanie BoggsEpisodes: "Halloween: Part 2", "Piggy Piggy"
2014Two and a Half MenKathyEpisode: "Thirty-Eight, Sixty-Two, Thirty-Eight"
2015The FostersBrookeSeason 3. 3 episodes
2015WorkaholicsCrystalEpisode: "Dorm Daze"
2016–2017The Big Bang TheoryClaireRecurring
Guest
2016LuciferNaomiEpisode: "Pops"
2020BatwomanDuela DentEpisode: "Grinning from Ear to Ear"