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Entertainment • Actress

Larisa Oleynik

Larisa Oleynik is an American actress best known for starring as Alex Mack in the Nickelodeon series The Secret World of Alex Mack and for playing Bianca Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Larisa Oleynik is an American actress born on June 7, 1981, in Santa Clara County, California. She gained wide recognition for her title role in the Nickelodeon series The Secret World of Alex Mack and later appeared in films such as 10 Things I Hate About You. She began acting as a child and became a notable teen performer in the 1990s.

Early life

Larisa Oleynik was born in Santa Clara County, California, in 1981. Her full name is Larisa Romanovna Oleynik. She began acting as a child in a production of Les Misérables.

Acting career

Oleynik gained wide recognition for the title role in The Secret World of Alex Mack. She also appeared in The Baby-Sitters Club and 10 Things I Hate About You. Her work helped make her a notable teen actor in the 1990s.

Public recognition

During the 1990s, Oleynik became widely associated with teen and youth-oriented entertainment. Her roles in television and film made her a familiar face for audiences of that period.

Key facts

  • Oleynik began acting as a child in a production of Les Misérables.
  • She gained wide recognition for the title role in The Secret World of Alex Mack.
  • She appeared in The Baby-Sitters Club and 10 Things I Hate About You.
  • Her work helped make her a notable teen actor in the 1990s.
  • She was born in Santa Clara County, California.
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Canadian context

Larisa Oleynik has no clear Canada-specific connection in the provided sources, but her work was widely distributed in North America and familiar to Canadian audiences through film and television.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Larisa Oleynik?
Larisa Oleynik is an American actress known for television and film roles, especially in The Secret World of Alex Mack and 10 Things I Hate About You.
What is Larisa Oleynik’s most famous role?
Her best-known role is Alex Mack in the Nickelodeon series The Secret World of Alex Mack.
When was Larisa Oleynik born?
She was born on June 7, 1981.
Where was Larisa Oleynik born?
She was born in Santa Clara County, California, in the United States.
What films is Larisa Oleynik known for?
She is known for The Baby-Sitters Club and 10 Things I Hate About You.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larisa_Oleynik
    Supports: Child acting debut in Les Misérables and general career overview.
  2. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larisa_Oleynik
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, and major roles including The Secret World of Alex Mack and 10 Things I Hate About You.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larisa_Oleynik
    Supports: Birthplace, nationality, profession, and principal roles.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0646351/bio/
    Supports: Birth details, parents, and best-known roles.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0646351/
    Supports: Career summary, early role in Les Misérables, and major credits.