Nicole Picard is best known for her comical turn as Karen in "The Parent Project" in 2010, though it was in her film debut in 1986 that she memorably played the role Rachel aka Little Red Riding Hood and was the highlight of the cult horror movie 'Deadtime Stories'. Starting at the very tender age of 6, Nicole performed in many ballets such as 'Coppelia' and 'Les Sylphides' with a ballet troupe in Rhode Island. It was in a dance piece that Nicole choreographed that she won the talent show in high school. She completed her time as a ballerina, , Jordache Jeans, Serruchi Jeans and Suntory Brandy, Japan. Nicole had her film debut in the limited release of 'Deadtime Stories', was the national poster girl f or Miller Lite 'Party Zone' and choreographed underground club shows at the Cat Club, Zipper and Area. She worked with Andy Warhol in a video for 'Pillow' and performed opposite Miguel Boze with Jennifer Grey in his videos for Spain MTV. Nicole performed with Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and appeared in music videos with BonJovi and other MTV stars of the 80s. In 1986 her dream came true and she was hired to be in a Broadway show, 'Starlight Express' where she worked with Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber, Trevor Nunn, Arlene Philips and an amazing team of actor/singer/dancer/roller-skaters. Nicole was in the show for a year and then decided it was time to move to Hollywood where Nicole co-starred in the TV pilot 'Spies' played opposite George Hamilton, the TV movie 'Revenge of the Nerds III' opposite Ted McGinley, 'Burke's Law' opposite Gavin McLeod and was featured on the Fox show Malibu Dance Party. The national tour of 'Starlight Express' took her on the road where she performed throughout the US and Canada performing at the Kennedy Center with President Bush Sr. in attendance. In 1993 Nicole performed in the Mogul Theater production 'At Home' opposite her then husband, John Zarchen, during which time Nicole also appeared in the local production of 'The Glass Menagerie' as Laura to rave reviews. From 2000-2008 she taught theater in the Santa Monica and South Bay schools and was PTA president as well as the legislation chair at her children's school. In 2004 Nicole gave a deeply emotional performance as Ruth in the Santa Monica Playhouse production of 'Backstreet'. She was in a Lifetime Channel show, Operation Style and recorded music with VoodooGroove. In 2010-11 Nicole played a crazed Mom in the film "The Parent Project" in which the episode she starred in was the highest rated show at the Channel 101 screening. Nicole is appearing in productions of the Living History event at Woodlawn and the USC film 'Golden Boy'. Now in 2017, Nicole's 2 children Nicky and Matt are all grown up, she is happily married to Patrick Murray, VP of Sourcing at the Wonderful Company and she is 100% focused on acting and screenwriting.
Nicole saved her dog Coach from a vicious pit bull attack that nearly killed him. Both Nicole and Coach are fine, but the dog owner refused to pay the vet bill. The case went to court and was decided in Nicoles favor by Judge Joe Brown on his show that aired February 29, 2013.
Was a polling place precinct inspector for 5 years, was PTA President of her boys elementary school and ran for Santa Monica School Board.
During the performance of Starlight Express on Broadway, Nicole almost fell 60 feet center stage (luckily she held on for dear life and climbed down on a ladder with her roller skates on).
"The Parent Project had the highest rating at Channel 101 for the segment that Nicole starred in and the series ran for a record 20 showings.
Zen Quote: The humility of growing old is an essential part of the human experience..
Quote of Interest: To evolve in your acting performance you must take direction and constructive criticism not personally but in a personalized way to grow in your craft..
