Tajja Isen is a Canadian writer, editor, and actress. Her first book, the essay collection Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service, was published in April 2022.[1] As an actress, she is best known for voicing the title character Atomic Betty. She has several other voice credits, including Samantha in Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure, Sister Bear in The Berenstain Bears, Pipsqueak in The ZhuZhus, Princess Pea/Presto in the PBS Kids show Super Why!, Jane in Jane and the Dragon, Jodie in Time Warp Trio, Franny's singing voice in Franny's Feet and Jazzi in The Save-Ums!
Tajja Isen | |
|---|---|
 Isen at the 2022 Texas Book Festival. | |
| Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Relatives | Nissae Isen (sister) |
Biography
editIsen was born in Toronto, Ontario. At 10 years old, she began her voice acting career with The Berenstain Bears, where she voiced Sister Bear.[2] In 2004, she portrayed Young Nala in a Toronto stage production of Disney's The Lion King[2] and was nominated for an Equity Emerging Artist Award for that role.[3]
Her first book, Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service, was published in 2022 by Atria/One Signal and Doubleday Canada.[4] She was the editor-in-chief of Catapult magazine.[5]
Personal life and family
editIsen is of mixed Trinidadian descent. Her younger sister Nissae Isen is also a voice actress.[6]
Discography
edit- Atomic Betty (2005)[citation needed]
Selected filmography
editAnimation
editList of voice performances in animation
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | The Berenstain Bears | Sister Bear | |
| 2003–06 | The Save-Ums! | Jazzi | |
| 2003–07 | JoJo's Circus | Trina Tightrope/Princess Josephina | Main role (Trina) |
| 2005–08 | Franny's Feet | Lacey/Franny (singing voice) | 2 episodes/singing voice in the theme song |
| 2004–08 | Atomic Betty | Betty Barrett/Atomic Betty (title role) | 78 episodes |
| 2005–06 | Time Warp Trio | Jodie | episodes 20–26, voiced by Sarah Gadon from 1–14 (earlier) |
| 2005–06 | Jane and the Dragon | Jane (title role) | 26 episodes |
| 2005–07 | Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends | Lil Sis | 4 episodes |
| 2005–08 | Miss BG | BG (singing voice) | Opening and closing songs |
| 2006 | Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks | Pony | 52 episodes |
| 2007–16 | Super Why! | Princess Pea/Presto | |
| 2010–2011 | Pirates: Adventures in Art | Princess Cleo | Main role |
| 2011–2023 | Mia and Me | Yuko | 26 episodes |
| 2011–12 | My Big Big Friend | Nessa | Recurring |
| 2016–17 | The ZhuZhus | Pipsqueak | 26 episodes |
| 2017–20 | Top Wing | Betty McBat | Additional voices |
| 2019–21 | Norman Picklestripes | Juniper | Main voice role |
| 2021–present | Go, Dog. Go! | Cheddar Biscuit | Voice role |
Live-action roles
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Doc | Mindy | Episode: "Complicated" |
| 2009–2010 | The Latest Buzz | Zuzu Moon | 3 episodes |
Movies
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure | Samantha | Voice |
Awards
edit- 2004 – Young Artist Awards- Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Nominated (Berenstain Bears)[7]
- 2007 – Young Artist Awards- Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Won (Jane and the Dragon)[8]
- 2009 – Gemini Awards- Best Individual or Ensemble Performance in an Animated Television Show or Series – Won (Atomic Betty)[9]
References
edit- ^ Isen, Tajja (April 19, 2022). Some of My Best Friends. ISBN 9781982178420.
- ^ a b "Tajja Isen Interview". toonarific.com. December 11, 2005. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ "About".
- ^ "Catapult | Catapult Magazine". Catapult. February 8, 2022.
- ^ Fanfair, Ron. "Isen comfortable being cast in male voice-over roles" July 27, 2017. Retrieved on March 23, 2018.
- ^ "25th Annual Young Artist Awards – Winners and Nominations". youngartistawards.com. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ "28th Annual Young Artist Awards – Nominations / Special Awards". youngartistawards.org. March 10, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ "Gemini Awards Celebrate Comedy, Drama and Variety". broadcastermagazine.com. October 21, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
External links
edit- Tajja Isen at IMDb