A talented actress with especially expressive eyes, Dreama Walker worked her way up from small roles on soap operas like "Guiding Light" (CBS, 1952-2009), dramedies like "Sex and the City" (HBO, 1998-2004) and procedurals like "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-07; USA Network, 2007-2011) before impressing as Clint Eastwood's granddaughter in "Gran Torino" (2008). She recurred as Hazel Williams, an insecure member of the alpha high school clique on "Gossip Girl" (The CW, 2007- ), booked a bit part as a receptionist in Ricky Gervais's "The Invention of Lying" (2009) and made many critics' lists for her recurring role on "The Good Wife" (CBS, 2009- ) as Becca, the devious girlfriend of Zach (Graham Phillips), son of Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies). Walker broke out as the overly naïve June, a small town girl who receives a big city education from roommate Krysten Ritter in "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" (ABC, 2012- ). Showcasing Walker's comedic chops as well as her ability to project immense vulnerability, the series earned high marks from many critics. Having paid her dues, Dreama Walker seemed poised to ascend to even greater professional heights.
Born June 20, 1986 in Tampa, FL, Dreama Walker made her screen debut in an episode of "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010) in 2006. After appearances on the soap operas "Guiding Light" (CBS, 1952-2009) and "One Life to Live" (ABC, 1968-2012), she earned a bit part on "Sex and the City" (HBO, 1998-2004) as a waitress. Walker essayed a supporting turn in the indie "Lifelines" (2008), guested on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-07; USA Network, 2007-2011) and was cast as a series regular on the Matthew Perry Showtime pilot "The End of Steve," which never made it to series. On the big screen, she landed the role of Clint Eastwood's granddaughter in his acclaimed drama "Gran Torino" (2008), and built on her professional momentum by landing a recurring role on "Gossip Girl" (The CW, 2007- ). As Hazel Williams, Walker recurred for the show's first two seasons, playing a member of a powerful high school clique who proves a less than loyal friend when the reigning queen bee, Blair (Leighton Meester), is deposed. Walker went on to notch guest spots on "Ugly Betty" (ABC, 2006-2010) and "Royal Pains" (USA Network, 2009- ), as well as a fun cameo as a receptionist in the Ricky Gervais comedy "The Invention of Lying" (2009).
The actress starred in the miniseries "Seven Deadly Sins" (Lifetime, 2010) and notched a small role in the indie flick "Chlorine" (2011), but achieved greater renown for recurring as Becca, the troublemaking girlfriend of Alicia Florrick's (Julianna Margulies) son on "The Good Wife" (CBS, 2009- ). Although Walker lensed roles in three indies, "The Pill" (2011), "Vamperifica" (2011) and "Compliance" (2012), she found her breakthrough role on the small screen when she was cast as sunny-but-shrewd small-town girl June on Nahnatchka Khan's highly anticipated "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" (ABC, 2012- ). Anchoring the sitcom with heart and her crack comic timing, Walker's June held her own against the titular mastermind "B" Chloe (Krysten Ritter) and proved herself capable of weathering personal and professional tumult as she settled into big city life.
By Jonathan Riggs