Fairuza Balk, born on May 21, 1974, is a diverse talent best known for her roles as an American actress, musician, and visual artist. Balk is distinguished for her vivid portrayals of characters who have a dash of dark edge or 'goth-girl' persona, which echo through many independent films and blockbuster features. Balk's acting odyssey began in 1983 with a sequence of television roles; gradually, she rose to fame with her film debut as Dorothy Gale in 'Return to Oz' in 1985, which fetched her a 'Young Artist Award' nomination. Some eminent films in her filmography include Valmont(1989), Gas Food Lodging (1992), Imaginary Crimes (1994), Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), American History X (1998), and The Waterboy (1998) to name a few.

In 1996, her portrayal of Nancy Downs in 'The Craft' won her acclaim and a cult-like following; in addition to an MTV Movie Award. Beyond the realms of films, Balk was admired for her role as Mildred Hubble in the 1986 television adaptation of 'The Worst Witch', based on the eponymous book series. In recent times, she played the recurring role of Ginger on Showtime's Ray Donovan in 2015, and starred as Lizzie Thomas in the Amazon Prime series 'Paradise City' in 2021. Alongside acting, Balk has been releasing music since 2010 under the name of her unsigned act, 'Armed Love Militia'. Conclusively, Balk has made significant contributions in various facets of the entertainment industry.