Biography
Nicole Picard is best recognized for her humorous role as Karen in "The Parent Project" (2010), but she first made a memorable impression in her 1986 film debut as Rachel, also known as Little Red Riding Hood, in the cult horror movie 'Deadtime Stories'.
Beginning her career at the age of six, Nicole performed in numerous ballets like 'Coppelia' and 'Les Sylphides' with a Rhode Island ballet troupe. She won her high school talent show with a dance piece she choreographed herself. She concluded her ballet career at 16, performing in the opera 'Aida' after developing her figure. While attending Sarah Lawrence College, Nicole starred in a Charlie Lowenthal film and, during her junior year abroad in Paris, became the face of several Eram shoe commercials, speaking French on France National Television. Upon returning to New York, she appeared in commercials for brands including Zest Soap, Chic Jeans, HBO, Whitney's Yogurt, RC Cola, Bacardi Rum (Puerto Rico TV, Clio Award winner), Jordache Jeans, Serruchi Jeans, and Suntory Brandy in Japan. Nicole's film debut was in the cult horror film 'Deadtime Stories'. She also served as the national poster girl for Miller Lite's 'Party Zone' and choreographed underground club shows at venues like the Cat Club, Zipper, and Area. She collaborated with Andy Warhol on a video for 'Pillow' and performed alongside Miguel Bose and Jennifer Grey in his videos for Spain's MTV. Nicole shared the stage with Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul and appeared in music videos with Bon Jovi and other MTV stars of the 1980s.
In 1986, Nicole achieved her dream by joining the Broadway production of 'Starlight Express', working with luminaries such as Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn, and Arlene Philips in a cast of actor-singer-dancer-roller skaters. She stayed with the show for a year before moving to Hollywood, where she co-starred in the TV pilot 'Spies' opposite George Hamilton, appeared in the TV movie 'Revenge of the Nerds III' alongside Ted McGinley, featured in 'Burke's Law' with Gavin McLeod, and was part of the Fox show Malibu Dance Party. She also toured nationally with 'Starlight Express', performing across the US and Canada, including at the Kennedy Center with President George H.W. Bush in attendance.
In 1993, Nicole performed in the Mogul Theater production 'At Home' opposite her then-husband John Zarchen. During this period, she also earned rave reviews playing Laura in a local production of 'The Glass Menagerie'. Between 2000 and 2008, she taught theater in Santa Monica and South Bay schools, serving as PTA president and legislation chair at her children's school. In 2004, she delivered a powerful performance as Ruth in the Santa Monica Playhouse production of 'Backstreet'. Nicole appeared on the Lifetime Channel show Operation Style and recorded music with VoodooGroove. In 2010-11, she portrayed a crazed mom in "The Parent Project", with her episode becoming the highest-rated at the Channel 101 screening. She has also participated in Living History events at Woodlawn and acted in the USC film 'Golden Boy'.
As of 2021, Nicole has completed two film projects: 'Lineage Tribe', a musical short film she plans to expand into a streaming limited series, and 'SURPRISE!', a TV pilot for a dark comedy series. She is preparing a comic character sketch for a late-night talk show segment.
Nicole thrives on creativity, with her greatest achievements being her two grown children, Nicky and Matt, who live on both the East and West coasts, giving her a reason to be bi-coastal. She is happily married to Patrick Murray and remains fully dedicated to acting and producing.
