Sofia Shinas (born January 17, 1968) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress and director."Dream comes true for Shinas". '' Windsor Star'', May 28, 1994. Shinas entered the entertainment industry as a recording artist and later pursued acting. After graduating from film school, she became a film director. She is best known for her role as Eric Draven's murdered fiancée, Shelly, in '' The Crow'' starring opposite Brandon Lee.

Early life

Shinas was born in Windsor,

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

to Greek parents. She briefly attended the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university whose main campus is located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by ...

, but dropped out before finishing her first semester in order to pursue creating music in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

Career

Recording artist

In 1992, Shinas released her eponymously titled debut album on Warner Bros. Records. She co-wrote every song and worked with various producers and remixers, including Steve Peck, Daniel Abraham (record producer), Mitch Kaplan, Mark 'MK' Kinchen, Roger Sanchez, Tommy Musto, Ben Grosse and Boris Granich. Her first single, "The Message", reached No. 20 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart and was a crossover pop hit, peaking at No. 75 on the Hot 100 chart. Her second single, "One Last Kiss", didn't chart in the US, but became a minor hit in her native Canada. Her last single, "State of Mind", peaked at No. 16 on the Dance/Club Play chart. She received a

Juno Award The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...

nomination for Most Promising Female Vocalist at the Juno Awards of 1993. Shinas left the music business to pursue a career as actor and director. She has not released another album.

Film actress

Shinas made her film debut in the 1994 action thriller '' The Crow'', starring Brandon Lee. The box office hit has become a cult favorite. Shinas then landed a role opposite

Charlie Sheen Carlos Irwin Estévez (born September 3, 1965), known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He is known as a leading man in film and television. Sheen has received numerous accolades including a Golden Globe Award as well as ...

and Nastassja Kinski in ''Terminal Velocity''. She starred alongside C. Thomas Howell in the independent action/drama, ''Hourglass'' and in the 1997 action film, ''Dilemma''.

Television actress

Shinas appeared in two episodes of the TV series '' The Outer Limits'' (in the " Valerie 23" and " Mary 25" episodes) and an episode of '' The Hunger''.

Film director

Shinas's first feature as director was the thriller, ''My Stepdaughter'', released in August 2015.

Education

In 2008, Shinas graduated from the USC School of Cinema-Television in Los Angeles, California where she directed a film titled ''Spring Eternal'' as a thesis project.

Filmography

Discography

Albums

*1992: ''Sofia Shinas''

Singles

*1992: "The Message" *1992: "One Last Kiss" *1992: "State of Mind (You Make Me Feel Good)"

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shinas, Sofia 1968 births Living people Musicians from Windsor, Ontario Canadian dance musicians Actresses from Windsor, Ontario Canadian television actresses Canadian film actresses USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni Canadian people of Greek descent Film directors from Ontario Canadian women film directors Warner Records artists 21st-century Canadian women singers