Natalie Jackson Mendoza was born in Hong Kong to a Filipino-Spanish jazz musician father and a German-English mother, who instilled in her a bohemian upbringing alongside her six artist siblings, who roamed the globe, settling in Asia, Australia, England, and New York City. As a child, Natalie was raised in Hong Kong and Australia, where she developed a sense of cultural diversity and artistic expression.
Natalie's early life was marked by a strong foundation in classical acting, which she pursued at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK and later at Playhouse West LA. Her training laid the groundwork for her subsequent success in theater, where she has played numerous lead roles and received widespread critical acclaim.
One of Natalie's most notable achievements was her starring role as Imelda Marcos in the National Theatre's production of "Here Lies Love," written by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, and directed by Alex Timbers. Her performance earned her 5-star reviews and cemented her status as a talented actress.
Natalie's extensive theater credits include "Arms of Fire" by Duncan Sheik and Steven Adler, as well as "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon" in Australia, where she was discovered by Cameron Macintosh. She has also appeared in "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the Manhattan Theatre Club, "Ghost," "Lord of the Rings," "Cats," and many other productions.
In addition to her theater work, Natalie has had a successful career in film and television, landing a 3-picture deal with Miramax at the age of 19. Her recent credits include "Americana" directed by Philip Noyce for ABC America and the British classic "Midsomer Murders" as Sasha Fleetwood.
Natalie is perhaps best known for her roles in "Descent 1 & 2" and "Hotel Babylon," where she played the lead role of Jackie Clunes in the BBC drama. She has also made a name for herself as a writer and director, developing projects for her own film production company and recording an album set for release next year.
As a teenager, Natalie had a record deal with Virgin Records as the lead singer of a punk-pop band. She has also won numerous awards, including Best Film, Best Writer, and Best Director for the 72-hour Film Festival held in LA in 2011.
Natalie is currently directing her first feature film, which is slated for release next year, and continues to push the boundaries of her creative talents, solidifying her position as a talented and versatile actress, writer, and director.
