Roxana (Roxy) Brusso currently holds two roles on primetime television—Detective Alicia Fernandez on “Southland” on TNT and Sheri Strepling on FOX’s “Touch” with Kiefer Sutherland. Detective Fernandez is a sensible and blunt detective who works to keep her department in line. Sheri Strepling is a similar character—a practical, matter-of-fact social worker who monitors Kiefer Sutherland’s relationship with his son on the show.
In order to prepare for the parts, Roxy conducted her own research contacting friends and acquaintances to help her better understand the complexity of each role. Contrary to popular belief, playing these roles did not always come so easily for Roxy.
Southland's Regina King, Roxy Brusso, and Tom Everett Scott
Roxy’s career path was rather a rocky road before fate took charge. Born in Peru, and later moving to North Hollywood at the age of 4, Roxy grew up searching for herself. While Roxy’s academic endeavors proved dissatisfying, she remained open to opportunity on her quest to find her true passion.
While she was attending San Diego State University, Roxy’s father experienced a severe car accident, which led her to move home to Los Angeles to care for him and attend community college. Some time after her father’s incident, Roxy decided it was necessary to regroup; she halted her studies at a local college and began waiting tables and caring for her father.
Upon starting her waitressing job in Hollywood, Roxy was surrounded by aspiring actors who discussed their exciting audition experiences. It wasn’t until she met one waitress that Roxy decided to venture into the world of show business. A shy, but ever-curious young adult, Roxy took a leap of faith and linked up with a talent agent referred to her by her coworker. From there, she began taking acting classes and found that the once unidentifiable void had finally been replaced.
Roxy landed her first role in an ampm minimart advertisement which led to a theatrical role in Melrose Place. With unrelenting dedication, Roxy began guest starring on shows like Beverly Hills 90210. Her unique, raspy voice was perfect for many of the authoritative roles, and Roxy found she was casted for these characters more and more often.
Roxy’s strong, confident voice brought equally authoritative roles, regardless of her contrasting mild demeanor. As a child, Roxy was fairly sheltered, and her life experiences limited, which she felt hindered her confidence. In her everyday life, Roxy struggled to show anger or rage, but acting soon brought her out of her shell, and the self-assured woman she portrayed on screen began to transcend her personality as she grew into her voice.
Roxy initially found inspiration in such film actors as Meryl Streep. Although for now, the small screen is her home, she is keeping all doors open to whatever opportunities come her way. Despite her late discovery of passion, Roxy has grown to embrace every aspect of her acting career while developing her identity along the way. She now embodies an additional character—the talented, poised and successful Roxy Brusso.
