Meredith Dawn Salenger (born 14 March 1970) is a USactress identified by her performances while a teenager. Her best known role was the title role in the 1985 Disney film The Journey of Natty Gann.
Salenger was born and raised in Malibu, California. As a child she enjoyed performing in front of her family and friends. Her mother took her to her first acting class when she was eight years old. Her first role was a small part as a 'singing and dancing orphan' in the feature film Annie directed by John Huston. Salenger also did a number of television advertisements.
Early career
Salenger's first starring role was in the Disney film The Journey of Natty Gann costarring John Cusack and Ray Wise, the first US movie to win the gold award at the Moscow Film Festival. The film also garnered her "Best Actress in a Drama" at the Youth in Film Awards for her portrayal of the tomboyish Natty Gann. After starring in four more films by the time she was eighteen years old, she left Hollywood for Harvard to further her education.
Education
Salenger attended Harvard University 1988-1992 and graduated cum laude with a degree in psychology.
Salenger appeared in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1998. She also recorded a song entitled "Flow Through Me" with Koishii & Hush; she also appeared as a background member of the Counting Crows video for "Hanging Around".
Salenger appeared in two episodes of Dawson's Creek in 2002 as film critic Amy Lloyd.
Salenger had a brief role in the Disney film Race to Witch Mountain in 2009 in which she played television reporter Natalie Gann - a reference to the role she played as a child.
Salenger is the voice of Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars". Her first appearance is in the 6th episode (titled 'Weapons Factory') of Season 2.