Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire in Montreal's West Island is a tiny, little town that is a bit sleepy. This West Island, to those not familiar with it, is a vast area that extends from Lachine until the west. Amanda Brugel's birthplace has been frequently cited, however her short visit to the West Island did not last long. Brugel grew in Courtice, just outside of Oshawa. She aspired to be a professional dancer but due to a rapid increase in her height, she outgrew the dance partners she had. According to an article by Toronto Star, she revealed her height in heels as 6 foot 1 inch tall. When I outgrew my male friends, I quit. Brugel was one of many former dancers who turned to acting. Her teacher from high school was what pushed her to take the next step. She was recommended by a teacher to find a role in school's annual production. She was the teacher who suggested that she go after a role in the school's annual show. Following her award of the Fine Arts Talent Scholarship, she enrolled in York University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the year 2000. Brugel's career spans over 20 years and she's appeared in 60 different productions including big screen productions and smaller ones. The most well-known role she played was that of Rita (pictured below) on The Handmaid's Tale. Brugel was the sole Canadian part of the cast for Season 1 of the series, and not seen much.