Mika Boorem starred on the big screen in the early 2000s but now prefers to be behind the lens.

Boorem, now 37, got her start as a child star in the ‘90s with guest roles on Touched by an Angel and Ally McBeal. The actress didn’t stop there, as she later appeared in movies like The Education of Little Tree, Jack Frost and Mighty Joe Young. Boorem’s role as Michael Keaton’s daughter in the 1998 film earned her a YoungStar Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Film.

In the early 2000s, Boorem got supporting roles in The Patriot, Along Came a Spider and Hearts in Atlantis. She continued to find success as she landed a recurring role on Dawson’s Creek as Harley Hetson from 2002 to 2003.

Boorem became best known for her role in 2002’s Blue Crush, starring in the surf movie alongside Kate Bosworth. Two years later, Boorem joined the comedy Sleepover alongside Alexa PenaVega.

A wave of nostalgia! The beloved surfer girl flick Blue Crush hit theaters on August 16, 2002, marking Kate Bosworth’s first major role. “It was so intense and overwhelming,” the actress and model said of her sudden rise to fame during a June 2021 appearance on the “Ladies First With Laura Brown” podcast. “It was […]

After her stint in teen blockbusters, Boorem transitioned to working on independent films such as 1 Out of 7 and Virgin Alexander, which both premiered in 2012. Three years later, she made her directorial debut with the movie Love Thy Neighbor.

Following her time on Love Thy Neighbor, Boorem continued to seek more projects behind the scenes. She directed the 2017 short film L.A. Player and 2021’s Hollywood.Con, which she also starred in.

While Boorem made her last acting appearance in 2021, she has continued to work in the industry. She currently has her company Penni Productions that produces movies, TV shows and music videos.

“I’m an actress turned filmmaker. I strive to get stories to the screen that people can connect with. Film is a great art medium, it can be used to change the world,” Boorem said of her career transition in a July 2021 interview with Voyage LA. “Through film, we can experience a different time or place. Follow the story of someone entirely different [from] us but understand their wants and needs.”

Boorem added that it’s her goal to “make a film that leaves a huge impact on the world.”

In addition to film, Boorem spends her free time volunteering with multiple nonprofits. Last summer, Boorem attended Foster Love’s annual gala in July 2024.

“Celebrating ONE MILLION children served !! A wonderful milestone 🙌 Foster Love,” she captioned an Instagram Reel. “Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished with supporting youth in the foster care system … and also for the wonderful support and platforms you’ve created for aged out youth.”

Boorem also enjoys her days traveling around the world from snowboarding in Vail to soaking up the sun in the Virgin Islands.