Her first major role came in 2007 when she starred opposite Jennifer Connelly in Phoebe in Wonderland . But it was 2008 that changed everything. At just eight years old, landed the role of "Mary Reece" in the horror blockbuster The Strangers . Starring alongside Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, Madison played a young girl caught in a terrifying home invasion.
She is also attached to several upcoming independent projects that she has described as "weird, scary, and sad." Having mastered the Hallmark formula, she seems eager to return to her indie roots. Rumors are swirling about a potential horror sequel return, though nothing has been confirmed.
Born on October 15, 1999, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, started acting professionally at the tender age of five. While many young actors get their start in commercials or sitcoms, Madison dove headfirst into the deep end of the pool. Bailee Madison
In 2009’s Brothers , a heavy war drama starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman, Madison played Isabelle, the eldest daughter of a soldier presumed dead. Her performance was terrifyingly mature, portraying a child forced to grow up too fast amidst family trauma. The critics took notice. She won the 2010 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film for the role and was nominated for a Critics' Choice Movie Award.
Bailee Madison Wrote Original Song On Break From 'Pretty Little Liars' Her first major role came in 2007 when
), she has focused on horror and thrillers, starring in projects like The Strangers: Prey at Night Personal Reflections and Identity Identity Struggles
This era of her career was defined by a string of successful films that cemented her status as a reliable box-office draw for family audiences. She terrified audiences as the malicious child in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), produced by Guillermo del Toro, and charmed them in the Adam Sandler vehicle *Just Starring alongside Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, Madison
In the late 2010s, made a strategic career move that endeared her to a massive, loyal fanbase: she joined the Hallmark Channel family. While some actors view Christmas movies as a paycheck, Madison treats them as an art form.
Her music is intimate pop, rich with acoustic guitar and vulnerable lyrics. Unlike many actor-turned-singer projects that feel manufactured, Madison co-writes her songs. Tracks like "Bombshell" and "How It Ends" deal with anxiety, heartbreak, and the pressure of perfection.
For over a decade and a half, Madison has been a consistent presence on our screens, evolving from the girl who made us weep in Bridge to Terabithia to the young woman commanding the screen in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin . Her career is not just a collection of credits; it is a masterclass in strategic growth, talent, and maintaining one’s authenticity in an industry designed to manufacture it.
Bailee Madison was born on October 15, 1999, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her entry into the entertainment world was almost predestined; her older sister, Kaitlin Vilasuso, was also an actress, paving the way for the family’s foray into the industry. Madison began her career before she could even truly read, appearing in commercials for brands like Office Depot and Disney.