Aryana Engineer

ARYANA ENGINEER is a gifted young actress best known for playing six-year-old Maxine Coleman in the taut thriller Orphan (2009), starring Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard.

Born on March 6, 2001, in British Columbia, Canada, she was discovered in 2007 at age 6 when a local talent agent saw her using sign language. At the time, producers for Orphan were searching for a blond-haired little girl who knew sign language.

Later that year, Engineer had the chance to meet with the casting directors and producers for the film. They immediately noted her talent and agreed that she would be perfect for the key role of Maxine.

Next, Engineer filmed a commercial promoting the 2010 Winter Olympics. In March 2010, she was one of the seven youth hosts to take part in the Canadian Paralympics' opening ceremonies, where she welcomed viewers in sign language.

© 2012 Screen Gems