Tami Erin Biography

Tami Erin (born Tamara Erin Klicman on July 8, 1974) is an American actress and model from Wheaton, Illinois. She is best known for her portrayal of Pippi Longstocking in the 1988 Columbia Pictures film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.

Career

Modeling

Tami Erin began acting and modeling at 8 years old when she became a model with Elite Model Management. After signing with Elite she appeared in national and international modeling and commercial campaigns for Cheerios, Equal, Carefree Sugarless Gum, Texas Instruments, Nestle Chocolate, and Abraham & Straus among others.

Acting

For Erin's first movie role, she starred as Pippi Longstocking in the Columbia Pictures movie The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1987), based on the children's book by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. The role required a young girl to play the role of an "anarchistic tomboy with pigtails who has fantastic adventures," which led to a worldwide search for a young actress by the casting director.

Erin auditioned when she was 11 years of age, winning the part over 8,000 other actresses. Casting director Garrison True said that finding someone like her "is an effort that has taken many years and much patience..." and she was considered the perfect choice for the part once they discovered her: "She's a free-spirited, fun-loving ringleader who prefers blue jeans and tennis shoes and loves to get dirty. . . but is still very much a girl."

Her acting was considered unique for a child star in the 1980s: "Erin's performance as the irrepressible, outrageous Pippi--the girl who dresses as she pleases, goes to bed when she wants to, who can destroy the pomposity of adults with lightning-quick logic, and who possesses amazing powers . . ." Others in the cast found her self-assertiveness could also be a bit disturbing: "Erin is so overbearing in the leading role that one longs for a little peace and quiet."

The film's director, Ken Annakin describes her personality a good fit for the role: "Tami radiates sunshine. When she smiles everyone is happy. She's perfect and she is Pippi Longstocking". In conjunction with the release of the movie Erin signed endorsement deals with Aqua Fresh Toothpaste, Hostess and Determined Toys the manufacturers of the "Tami Erin Pippi Longstocking Dolls".

The first Royal world premiere was hosted by the Princess of Japan, Princess Nori in Tokyo, Japan. The second Royal premiere was hosted by King Karl, Queen Silvia and author Astrid Lindgren in Stockholm, Sweden. According to some authors, the "awareness" of Sweden as a country was increased by the book and film, "Sweden awareness was raised worldwide in the 1970s and 1980s by Pippi Longstocking, ABBA, Bjorn Borg . . ."

Erin did a publicity tour in 4 German cities and a 14 city tour in the United States. Highlights included interviews on Good Morning America, Today Show and Entertainment Tonight among other television shows, magazines and newspapers.

Erin served as a UNICEF Ambassador. Working with UNICEF, she spoke internationally on behalf of the United Nations and at the United Nations on World Children's Day to the delegates of over 100 countries.

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking was re-released by Columbia Pictures in 2000 on DVD and in 2007 with Matilda as a double feature. Most recently Erin appeared in the Warner Bros. Tim & Eric's Awesome Christmas Special movie alongside Zach Galafanakis (The Hangover) as well as John C. Reilly (Chicago). Erin appeared in the Dreamscape Cinema film Disconnect alongside Amanda Troop and Steffany Huckaby. Tami Erin, The Book is at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, and other booksellers in the U.S and Europe.

Erin has appeared in hundreds of magazines, newspaper articles, and network television interviews worldwide and include; Vogue, Elle, Glamour, People, Seventeen, Teen, Woman's Day, National Geographic World, Variety, Premiere, Bravo, The Hollywood Reporter, Tiger Beat and USA Today among many others. Career highlights include appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and Entertainment Tonight. She attended the American Film Institute and her acting coaches included Jeff Corey, acting coach to Jack Nicholson and Dustin Hoffman, as well as Molly McCarthy of Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio, NYC. Erin is featured in the Trivial Pursuit board game and Trivial Pursuit Millennium Edition.

Philanthropy

Tami Erin's humanitarian and charity work as a UNICEF Ambassador (as well as her popularity with young people internationally) earned her the honor of being the Special Guest Speaker at Children's Day at the United Nations. She spoke in the General Assembly Hall to the delegates of over 100 countries about the hunger, education and wartime issues children face globally. She also spoke internationally on behalf of the United Nations.

From July 1988 to current, Tami Erin has raised funds and awareness for many charities including; UNICEF and the United Nations, Susan G. Koman Foundation, Eve Branson Foundation part of Virgin Unite, PETA, Los Angeles Mission, BuddhaBark Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, and Create Now among others.

In 2011, Tami Erin partnered with Create Now and La Fine Clothing for an international fundraising campaign where Tami co-designed a line of t-shirts sold in Europe, Japan and the United States with 100% of the profits benefiting Create Now furthering the mission to help disadvantaged children through the arts. Previously Tami owned Dreams Clothing Co. for over 5 years and served as the President and Head Designer.

In 2013 Tami Erin became an International Ambassador for Hearts an eco-fashion company. Through the I Heart Change program Tami Erin is raising funds for 6 International Charities including International Lifeline Fund, Pencils of Promise, Generosity Water, Eden Projects, and Chile to Kili.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role
1988	The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking	Pippi Longstocking
1988	Don't Just Sit There	Tami Erin
1998	Kill You Twice	Angie
2005	The Little Rose	Flower Girl
2007	AGENTS	LG-22
2010	Disconnect	1960's Operator
2010	Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Chrimbus Special	Pasta Bear Wife
2012	I Heart San Francisco	Tami Erin

Television appearances

Year	Title	Role	Network
1986-1989	International Network Television	Tami Erin	Various
1986-1989	Domestic Network Television	Tami Erin	Various
1988	Yappari Neko Ga Suki	Tami Erin	Fuji Television Network
1998	The Grand Prize	Tami Erin	ARD (Broadcasting)
1998	Good Morning America	Tami Erin	ABC Television
1988	Today Show	Tami Erin	NBC
1988	Entertainment Tonight	Tami Erin	CBS Television
1995	BBC News	Tami Erin	BBC News
2003	KRON-TV	Tami Erin	NBC
2010	TMZ on TV	Tami Erin	Fox Broadcasting Company