Malia Ashley Kerr - BiographyMalia Ashley Kerr began acting at the tender age of four after enjoying memorizing scenes that her older brother Christian (Laurian Kerr), also an actor was preparing. Mal ...Show More
Malia Ashley Kerr - BiographyMalia Ashley Kerr began acting at the tender age of four after enjoying memorizing scenes that her older brother Christian (Laurian Kerr), also an actor was preparing. Malia proved a natural talent and booked her first role of the adorable little girl who charms Santa Claus in ABC's holiday classic "Santa Baby 2 in only her second audition. On set, Malia proved to be a total professional and didn't seem the least bit fazed with huge cameras set up all around her. In her words, Malia felt "right at home" and her cheerful sunny disposition was most welcomed by fellow cast and crew.Malia, at age six, would have the opportunity to explore her dramatic side in her next role, playing the principal role of Angela Alton in Lifetime's "The 19th Wife." Her wonderful movie mom "Chyler Leigh" (who played Lexie for many years on Grey's Anatomy) was extremely gracious to Malia and shared that she was her favourite child actress that she had yet worked with, an incredible compliment! In " The 19th Wife," Malia also adored working with her Movie Dad "Jeff Hephner," and her director, Rod Holcomb affectionately giving him the nickname of Mr. Nutty and delighting in stealing his director's chair. Despite Malia's upbeat personality, she surprised everyone on set with her depth of emotion she was able to convey in her dramatic scenes most noted in scenes with the Prophet, "Patrick Garrow" and Jordan "Matt Czuchry. Malia also won the heart of her assistant director, Lisa Jemus and they still keep in contact. Lisa took such amazing care of Malia throughout her many days of filming and will never be forgotten!It was after filming this Lifetime movie, that Malia was able to fully articulate that she wanted to be an actress forever and her inspiration continues to be renowned actress Meryle Streep!Malia discovered the world of animation when she was cast as one of the lead roles for Nickelodeon's new series "LaLaLoopsy." Malia was beyond thrilled to be the voice of charismatic and zany "Peanut Big Top," and taped over 30 episodes in two years. Malia loved working with her director, "Carl," and despite the fact, he was in a different city than her, they forged an incredibly strong bond. In fact, when they finally met unexpectedly in person after one year of working together, Malia flew into Carl's arms saying almost in disbelief, "You're My Carl!"making both of them collapse in laughter and tears!Malia was the voice of Peanut as the narrator in a DS Intendo LaLaLoopsy game, a Peanut Doll that said over 100 phrases, and also taped a few webisodes. Malia also brought Peanut Big Top to life in three DVD's including being the lead in "LaLaLoopsy Babies, First Steps," having a blast taping Baby Peanut. Malia taped this particular DVD with a soother in her mouth so her speech would be a little mumbled and when she arrived home after taping, her collie dog, Maestro was fascinated with the soother and a hilarious photo captured both of them with a soother in their mouth. Malia then voiced Peanut for the DVD, "LaLaLoopsy Ponies, The Big Show," and "LaLaLoopsy, Festival of Sugary Treats." Malia was such a talented voice actress that she was direct cast for her next voice role for a Japanese animation series entitled "Buddy Fight." Malia's character was "Hanako," the lead character's "Gao's" little sister. Malia has taped two seasons of Buddy Fight already and is presently taping her third season.Despite Malia's love for bringing a character to life just with her voice, she was thrilled to be cast in her second Christmas movie called "Merry-in-Laws produced by Nomadic Films, playing the sweet girl, "Abby." Malia adored her most lovely and encouraging director, Leslie Hope and made a strong friendship with the movie's lead "Kassia Warshawski." It is interesting to note that Kassia had the opportunity to work with Malia 's brother, Christian in his next film "Haunting Melissa," playing the title role of Melissa. Malia always finds it so difficult to say goodbye to her fellow cast and crew..."the worst past of acting," she says!Malia is an extremely accomplished pianist and dancer and she has performed with her brother, Christian (Laurian Kerr) at the Calgary Stampede Talent Show and many charity events hosted by the incomparable and generous W. Brett Wilson. Malia has performed at shows featuring "The Tenors," "Brett Kissel," "Beverly Mahood," and "Lennon & Maisie," (the latter being the youngest stars of "Nashville").One particular performance at the Calgary Stampede resulted in a phone call from the Ellen Degeneres show who had loved a YouTube video the kids had submitted. Malia was just seven years old when she charmed one of the show's producers and both her brother and her were asked to submit more videos. The same producer, Lindsay then encouraged Christian and Malia to add singing to their act and Malia discovered a true love for singing since that day. Malia has also performed at "The Calgary Children's Hospital," and "The Ronald McDonald house many times sharing her love of music and dance! The dear little children at the Ronald McDonald house especially touched Malia's heart when on Christmas Day, Malia and her brother were asked to play Christmas Carols and share their special dinner together. This became one of Malia and Christians favourite traditions that they have repeated a few times on Christmas Day, definitely a gift of shared blessings! Malia, still age eight, was soon after cast in one of her personal favourite shows, CBC's award winning "Heartland." Malia was ecstatic and even more thrilled when she found out her main co-star was an adorable little horse. Just a side note for a moment to say that Malia loves animals and is a compassionate animal advocate in her own life. Malia has four dogs presently in her family, a collie named Maestro, a black sheltie named Kiesa and two recent additions, two adorable long-haired mini-dachshund puppies named Oliver and Solomon. Malia also dreams of having her own horse one day so working with Bug, even though he was a miniature horse, was still wonderful!!The role of "Emma," on "Heartland,"had its own challenge as the character was a little blind girl. To help prepare Malia for this unique challenge, production arranged for someone from the Blind Institute to come to Malia's home and work with her personally. Malia was taught how to walk around with a cane and used a blindfold to simply rely on her cane. In this episode, (Season 6, ) entitled "Do The Right Thing," Malia had to learn with Amy's (the stunning Amber Marshall) help how to navigate through life with a miniature seeing-eye horse. " The back story is that this adorable little horse named "Bug," in real life was NOT a seeing-eye horse, he was just an actor like Malia and Malia was not really blind so that made things very interesting!! During rehearsals when Bug was supposed to lead Emma (Malia) through an obstacle course, Bug was given lots of horse treats (and he was already a bit chubby) and Malia had to practice looking blind with her eyes open (no blindfold and no sunglasses). Well, the big day arrived and when it came time to film their special scene, Malia whispered to Bug just before they started filming "Yesterday, I was leading you though this obstacle course but now, You have to act like you know what you're doing because now, I have to pretend I'm truly blind." These encouraging words to the sweet miniature horse brought out a lot of smiles and it seemed the pep talk worked because when the cameras started filming, that sweet little horse led a blind little girl perfectly through the obstacle course. Between takes, Bug needed treats of course but the production crew was thrilled that everything worked to perfection and Malia looked like the most joyful blind little girl!! Malia cried after filming wrapped because she loved everyone on set so very much...cast and crew. A special shout-out to Graham Wardle who plays the handsome and charismatic "Ty," who was so kind and encouraging to Malia. But, it was Amber Marshall who truly made Malia's day by coming back to set (instead of going home since she was wrapped) to specially watch Malia's big scene with Bug. Not many actresses of her stature would take the time to make a little girl (Malia) who looks up to her feel so special...thank you, Amber!Malia filmed a very interesting role in a educational video that captured the emotional and inspirational story of Olympian, Michelle Cameron Coulter who won gold in synchronized swimming. Malia played Young Michelle in the film, and because most of her scenes were in the pool, she enjoyed every moment in the water! Malia was honoured to help portray a true story that could help inspire others never to give up on their dreams!Malia continued to tape her animated series during this time and also was chosen to play a large guest-star role "Saya" in another top Japanese animated show, "Vanguard." Malia enjoys every opportunity to work with the talented staff at Chinook Animation Studio!Malia 's most dramatic acting role was right around the corner when she was cast to play the principal role of "Young Ruth," in AMC's gritty and dark Western drama "Hell on Wheels." Malia had the odds stacked against her for booking this role because they needed an actress with big brown eyes and Malia has very distinctive blue eyes. However, the incredible director, Seith Mann (The Walking Dead & Grey's Anatomy to name just a few of his impressive credentials) said that when Malia was finished her emotional audition, he knew this was his "Baby Ruth," as he affectionately called her! Malia had three very emotional scenes with her violent father played brilliantly by the intense Tom Noonan. Malia held her own with these emotional scenes and they changed her eye colour to brown in post production. Malia had a most memorable compliment given to her when she wrapped by one of the head camera crew. In his words, he shared that the crew felt that Malia was by far, the most talented child actresses (with such a sunny positive disposition) the production team had ever worked with to date in their four seasons of "Hell on Wheels." This kind man encouraged Malia to never give up on her acting and to consider it for a full-time career! Seith Mann was equally kind in his compliments to Malia and they even exchanged some special emails after Seith flew back to L.A., a busy talented man who once again demonstrated such generosity to a young girl!When Malia isn't acting, she loves kayaking, playing tennis, ping-pong and skiing! Malia loves spending time in the mountains surrounded by nature and her beloved dogs even when they're being naughty!! Hide
