Hollie Stenson was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, a city that would later play a significant role in shaping her formative years. However, her family's relocation to Fort Worth, Texas, when she was approximately 9 years old, marked the beginning of her Texas upbringing.
As she grew and developed, Hollie's academic pursuits led her to receive an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism from a prestigious institution. During her time in college, she began to nurture a passion for acting, which would eventually become a defining aspect of her professional journey. In her free time, she honed her acting skills by performing in community theater productions, simultaneously supporting herself through a reporting job at an ABC affiliate in Texas.
This dual career path continued for two years, with Hollie working as a reporter while also studying acting and developing her craft. The experience proved invaluable, and she eventually made the bold decision to leave her reporting job behind and pursue acting full-time.
The catalyst for this change was her role in the 2000 film "Dr. T & The Women," directed by Robert Altman. The experience left her feeling inspired and motivated, and she went on to work regularly as an actor in Texas for approximately a year before landing the breakout role of "Miss Wyoming" in Sandra Bullock's "Miss Congeniality." The film's success led to increased exposure and recognition, ultimately prompting Hollie to make the move to Los Angeles.
Throughout her career, Hollie has continued to work consistently in both comedic and dramatic television and film roles, while also furthering her education in acting and improvisation. Her dedication to her craft has been matched only by her commitment to using her platform to make a positive impact. As the President of the non-profit organization The FILManthropy Society, she directed the organization's signature charitable event, the FILManthropy Festival, which aimed to harness the power of film and media to inspire social change.
Hollie's passion for social entrepreneurship led her to pursue a Master's degree in Social Entrepreneurship from Pepperdine University. Following her academic pursuits, she joined the Social Impact team at Participant Media, a production company renowned for its Academy-Award-winning films. In this role, she worked to develop campaigns that amplified the social impact of Participant's important films.
Today, Hollie continues to balance her love of acting with her commitment to helping nonprofits and for-profit businesses become more sustainable and effective. Her work has taken her around the world, with notable projects in Kenya and domestically. When not working, Hollie can be found residing in Los Angeles, where she is fluent in Spanish and an experienced sailor with plans to circumnavigate the globe on her sailboat.
