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Michelle Meyrink
File:Meyrink webp
Michelle Meyrink in the 1980s
Born	1 September 1962
Birthplace	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	Actress (retired) · Teacher · Acting coach
Known for	Real Genius · Revenge of the Nerds · Valley Girl
Website

Michelle Meyrink (born 1 September 1962) is a Canadian former actress, educator, and acting instructor. She gained recognition during the 1980s for playing quirky teenage characters in cult classic films such as Real Genius (1985), Revenge of the Nerds (1984), and Valley Girl (1983).

Early life

Meyrink was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and began her acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in television and feature films throughout that decade.

Acting career

Meyrink's breakthrough came with roles portraying offbeat teenage girls in several popular films:

• Valley Girl (1983) – as Suzi Brent, in a cult romantic comedy set in Los Angeles
• The Outsiders (1983) – as Marcia, friend of Cherry Valance in the Francis Ford Coppola–directed drama
• Revenge of the Nerds (1984) – as Judy, a prominent female character among the nerd fraternity
• Real Genius (1985) – as Jordan Cochran, a socially awkward genius with sharp wit in a collegiate sci‑fi comedy

She continued acting through the late 1980s in films including Joy of Sex (1984), One Magic Christmas (1985), Nice Girls Don't Explode (1987), Tonight's the Night (1987 TV movie), and Permanent Record (1988) in which she played M.G., her final film role.

Life after Hollywood

Following Permanent Record, Meyrink chose to step away from acting in 1989, stating that she sought a more meaningful personal path beyond Hollywood. She embraced Zen Buddhism, spending time in the Dominican Republic before settling back in Vancouver. In 1996, she met her future husband, John Dumbrille, at the Zen Centre of Vancouver, and they have been married since 1998 with three children.

In 2013, she founded Actorium, an acting school in Vancouver inspired by the Loft Studio approach, offering training to aspiring performers based on her own experiences in both Hollywood and Zen-influenced personal growth.

Personal life

Meyrink lives in Vancouver with her husband John Dumbrille and their three children. Her family and spiritual journey were featured in a 2004 episode of the Canadian series Quiet Mind, which showcased their commitment to Zen practice.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Remarks
1983	The Outsiders	Marcia	Feature film
1983	Valley Girl	Suzi Brent	Cult comedy
1984	Revenge of the Nerds	Judy	Comedy classic
1984	National Lampoon's Joy of Sex	Leslie Hindenberg	Comedy ensemble
1984	Family Ties	Jane	TV guest appearance
1985	Real Genius	Jordan Cochran	Lead teenage genius role
1985	One Magic Christmas	Betty	Holiday drama
1987	Tonight's the Night	Steffi	TV movie
1987	Nice Girls Don't Explode	April Flowers	Offbeat comedy
1988	Permanent Record	M.G.	Final film role

Legacy

Michelle Meyrink remains best known for her memorable roles in 1980s teen and college comedies. Her portrayal of Jordan Cochran in Real Genius is widely cited as a standout example of female comedic timing in that era. Her transition from acting to Zen-inspired personal development and teaching reflects a significant personal transformation that garnered interest both within and outside entertainment circles.

External links

• IMDb profile
• TMDb profile
• TV Insider profile