MICHELLE LEE AND HER DAUGHTER SEVEN

Together,
We Are Family

See how Michelle balances being an actor and stunt person with being a single mother.

SERVICES HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS STORY: CHILD CARE

Michelle Lee is a stunt woman and actress, who just over four years ago gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Seven. Despite the complicated hurdles that come with being a single mom as well as someone who works long, physically demanding hours in remote locations, Michelle embraced her new role. “It is not easy. I’ll be the first to say. It’s life-changing and beautiful and everything that magic is made of. That’s what being a mother is to me. But it for sure comes with challenges. I have very few options. There’s no option for me to stay at home.”

Recently the kind of opportunity most actors wait for, as a series regular on an international CBS TV show, presented itself to Michelle. While Michelle was on set for a few weeks, the Children’s Center provided a continuity and structure for Seven that enabled both mother and daughter to feel cared for and to mitigate the pain of sacrifice.

Seven knows, “My mommy is a stunt woman!” Seven treasures a small blue action figure called Minn-Erva. It’s a character in the movie Captain Marvel where Michelle played stunt double for the actress Gemma Chan. Painted completely blue, like an alien, and holding a space weapon in an avenger costume, Seven points and says, “This is mommy!”

“I have very few options. There’s no option for me to stay at home.”

-MICHELLE LEE

The Children’s Center offers, as Michelle describes, a “broad spectrum of things to explore in a structured yet gentle environment.” Seven can thrive. And so can Michelle. So while Seven enjoys a nurturing environment, learning about the stages of butterfly development, how to play the harmonica, and the intricacies of Downward Dog, Michelle can focus on a healthy career, accepting as many roles as are realistic, and laying a strong foundation for her family to prosper.

From the big screen to TV, Michelle’s been a working actor for 20 years. As anyone in the business can appreciate, no easy feat. Her IMDb reads like an apocalyptic fairy tale: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, The Last Airbender, Pacific Rim, Suicide Squad, and more. Michelle credits MPTF with helping her to succeed in demanding circumstances. The Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children’s Center opens early and stays open late to accommodate entertainment industry hours.

It also unites a community of single parents within the industry. “We all support each other.” MPTF is proud to help support Michelle, Seven, a host of single parents, and all who participate in the Center. In an industry like no other, we serve our members in all stages of life, even the very first.

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