Isidora Goreshter (born October 24, 1981) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Svetlana on the U.S. TV series Shameless from seasons 3 to 8.

Isidora Goreshter
Goreshter in 2019
Born (1981-10-24) October 24, 1981 (age 43)
OccupationActress
Years active2008–present

Early life

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Goreshter was born and raised in Long Beach, California, where she began performing on stage at age three. She studied classical ballet.[1]

Goreshter competed in gymnastics as a child.[2] She earned first place in beam, second place in vault and floor, and third place all-around in her age group at the California State Cup Championship in 1992.[3] Also in 1992, she came in second place overall in her age group at the Central Pacific Championships.[4]

Personal life

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Goreshter was the first member of her family born in the United States.[5] Goreshter's family is from the former Soviet Union.[6] Two of Goreshter's grandparents are from Orhei, Moldova.[7]

Goreshter studied acting at the Stella Adler acting conservatory.[1] She appeared in such stage shows productions as Beirut, The Smell of the Kill, Waiting for Lefty, Laundry and Bourbon, and Waiting for Godot.[1] She has degrees in theatre and art history.[6]

Career

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Goreshter made her film debut with a small role in the motion picture Paranoia, starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman and Liam Hemsworth. She then took supporting roles in the films T is for Twig, A Leading Man and the award-winning short Wonder Girls.[1]

In 2013, Goreshter guest starred in the television series Shameless as the prostitute Svetlana. At first meant to be a short-term character, Goreshter became a series regular in 2016. She left after season 8.[8]

Goreshter went on to a lead role in the film Petal Pushers and had a major role opposite Noël Wells and Joe Pantoliano in Happy Anniversary.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Deader Living Through Chemistry Lana Video short
2009 Ma Cité, Mon Histoire Margie Short
2010 Birds of a Feather Dancer TV movie
2011 Birds of a Feather Dancer
Double Black Mead Short
2012 Paying for It Sophie Short
T is for Twig Lina Short
1 Nighter Bubbles Short
The Skinny Trainer Short
Oscar's Escape Sophie Short
2013 Paranoia Hospital Nurse #1
A Leading Man Morgan Tucker
The Wonder Girls Kornelia Short
2014 No Names Jules Short
2017 Trouble Young Maggie
How We Work 8 Erica Short
2018 Clara's Ghost Adelia
Happy Anniversary Georgia
2019 The Petal Pushers Ceil
2020 The Five Rules of Success Emma
2023 The Portrait

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 2 Broke Girls Elena Episode: "And the Pearl Necklace"
Ben and Kate Woman #3 Episode: "The Trip"
2013–2018 Shameless Svetlana Milkovich Guest (season 3)
Recurring (seasons 4–6)
Main (seasons 7–8)
53 episodes
2019 Grey's Anatomy Paula Episode: "Whistlin' Past the Graveyard"
2021 Condor Kat Gnezdy HBO Max

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Svetlana Played by Isidora Goreshter - Shameless | Showtime". SHO.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "Youth News". Long Beach Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California). October 9, 1991. p. C4.
  3. ^ "Youth News: Cerritos Wins Cal Cup". Long Beach Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California). April 29, 1992. p. D4.
  4. ^ "AGA Gymnasts Shine in Central Pacific Tourney". Long Beach Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California). November 25, 1992. p. C4.
  5. ^ Kim, Jae-Ha (January 17, 2016). "Isidora Goreshter". The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida). p. F4.
  6. ^ a b Rapp, Ilana (January 25, 2016). "Actress Isidora Goreshter -- 'My Audition for Shameless Was One of My Worst Auditions!'". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  7. ^ "(foto, video) Două actrițe din serialul "Shameless" au origini basarabene. Bunicii lor sunt din Telenești și Orhei - #diez" [(Photo, video) Two actresses from the series "Shameless" have roots in Bessarabia. Their Grandparents are from Telenești and Orhei - #diez] (in Romanian). February 28, 2018. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  8. ^ Lawrence, Derek (September 6, 2018). "Shameless cast teases what to expect from their characters in season 9". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
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