{{short description|American actress}} {{Infobox person | image = Ewa Da Cruz 2011.jpg<!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people. Non-free and "fair use" images, e.g. promo photos, CD/DVD covers, posters, screen captures, etc., will be deleted - see WP:NONFREE --> | image_size = | name = Ewa Da Cruz | birth_name = Ewa Benedicte Övre Skulstad | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|7|9|df=yes}}<ref name="Tax-list" /> | birth_place = Tromsø, Norway | other_names = Ewa Benedicte Skulstad Da Cruz<ref name="Tax-list">{{cite web |url=http://skattelister.no/skatt/profil/ewa-benedicte-skulstad-da-cruz-33767666/ |title=Ewa Benedicte Skulstad Da Cruz - Skatten 2009 - Skattelister.no - VG Nett |work=skattelister.no |date=24 July 2011 <!-- No date available; last modification date used. --> |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724183844/http://skattelister.no/skatt/profil/ewa-benedicte-skulstad-da-cruz-33767666/ |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2005–present }}

'''Ewa Da Cruz''' (born '''Ewa Benedicte Övre Skulstad'''; July 9, 1977),<ref name="CBS bio">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbs.com/daytime/as_the_world_turns/bio/ewa_da_cruz/bio.php |title=Ewa da Cruz |work=cbs.com |access-date=2010-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328140255/http://www.cbs.com/daytime/as_the_world_turns/bio/ewa_da_cruz/bio.php |archive-date=March 28, 2010 }}</ref> also known as '''Ewa Skulstad''' or '''Ewa Benedicte Övre Skulstad''', is a Norwegian-American television, soap opera and film actress.<ref name="tv.combio">{{cite news|url= http://www.tv.com/ewa-da-cruz/person/447833/summary.html|title= Ewa da Cruz|work= TV.com|access-date= 2008-06-24|archive-date= 2008-03-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080308043250/http://www.tv.com/ewa-da-cruz/person/447833/summary.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> Da Cruz is best known for her portrayal of the high-roller heiress Vienna Hyatt on ''As the World Turns''.

==Early life and education== Da Cruz was born in Tromsø and raised in Bergen, Norway.<ref>{{cite news|title=Såpe og salmiakk |last=Svendsen|first=Randi H.|date=28 December 2008|work=Magasinet|publisher=Dagbladet|pages=26–31|language=no}}</ref> She began her modeling career in her native Norway, at eight years of age, for a major clothing line. She continued to model for print ads, editorials and runways in Oslo.<ref name="tv.combio" />

Da Cruz came to the United States to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and graduated in 2004.<ref name="soapdiginterview">{{cite news|url= http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/atwt/interviews/ewadacruz/|title= Spotlight On ... Ewa Da Cruz (Vienna Hyatt, ATWT)|work= Soap Opera Digest|author= Lenhart, Jennifer|access-date= 2007-06-07|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070819041931/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/atwt/interviews/ewadacruz/|archive-date= 2007-08-19}}</ref> She was then selected to become a member of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Theatre Company for 2004 and 2005.

== Career == Da Cruz has also appeared in the video "Su Veneno" ("Her Poison") by Aventura. Since moving to New York, she has appeared in such films as ''Bella'', ''Kettle of Fish'', ''Sex & Sushi'', ''Dice'', ''Charlie'', ''Abingdon'', ''I Think I Thought'', and ''Dogs Lie''.

She played Vienna Hyatt on CBS's ''As the World Turns'' from 2006 to 2010.<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|1851772}}. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.</ref> Da Cruz also appeared in supporting roles, on such TV shows as ''Lipstick Jungle'', ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' and ''Damages''.

=== Modeling === Da Cruz's modelling career includes numerous print ads, editorials, runways, covers and commercials both in Europe and the United States. She posed nude in the Norwegian edition of ''Playboy'' magazine and was the Playmate of the month for May 1999.<ref name="www.seher.no">{{cite news|url= http://www.seher.no/php/art.php?id=400639|title= Fra Playboy til såpeopera|work= SEher.no|access-date= 2008-06-24|archive-date= 2008-05-12|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080512093140/http://www.seher.no/php/art.php?id=400639|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="www.pbcovers.com">{{cite news|url= http://www.pbcovers.com/new.php?co=no|title= Playboy Norway Covers of 1999|work= PBCovers.com|access-date= 2008-06-24|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070807210241/http://www.pbcovers.com/new.php?co=no|archive-date= 2007-08-07}}</ref>

She has also appeared in magazines such as ''Film Tidskrift'', ''Shape-Up'', ''KK'', ''Det Nye'', ''Mascara'', ''Rouge'', ''Watch! Magazine'', ''Capitol File'' and ''French Vogue''.

Da Cruz has also been the cover model for several romance novels, including Elizabeth Hoyt's ''Scandalous Desires''.

=== Writing === She is a freelance journalist with monthly columns in the Norwegian editions of magazines such as ''Rouge'', ''Cosmopolitan'' and ''Mascara''.

==Awards== Da Cruz was named one of Soap's most beautiful women in Soap Opera Digest in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=10-16-07 Soap Opera Digest SONYA EDDY-MOST BEAUTIFUL - Soap Opera World - Back Issues of Soap Opera Magazines & DVDs |url=http://www.soapoperaworld.com/soap-opera-digest-sonya-eddy-most-beautiful.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103146/http://www.soapoperaworld.com/soap-opera-digest-sonya-eddy-most-beautiful.html |archive-date=2015-09-24 |website=www.soapoperaworld.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trent Dawson - Articles |url=http://www.trentdawson.com/articlessod101607.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927210237/http://trentdawson.com/articlessod101607.htm |archive-date=2011-09-27 |access-date=2013-10-28}}</ref>

She was also voted ATWT's hottest "newcomer" in Soap Opera Digest in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trent Dawson - Articles |url=http://www.trentdawson.com/articlessod070307.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184943/http://www.trentdawson.com/articlessod070307.htm |archive-date=2013-10-29 |access-date=2013-10-28}}</ref>

At Soap Central she was nominated and won the 2007 Dankies as an Outstanding Special Guest or Recurring Role.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dankies &#124; 2007 &#124; soapcentral.com @ soapcentral.com |url=http://www.soapcentral.com/soapcentral/dankies.php?year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210450/http://www.soapcentral.com/soapcentral/dankies.php?year=2007 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |access-date=2013-10-28}}</ref>

She was also nominated at the 2007-2008 Dankies for a host of awards, including Outstanding Supporting Actress, Outstanding Newcomer, Favourite Onscreen Couple or Duo, Outstanding Overall Performer and Most Attractive Female Star (which she won).<ref name="tv.combio" /><ref name="soapdiginterview" />

== Filmography == === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Film performances |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | 2006 | ''Sex & Sushi'' | Spring Girl 1 | |- ! scope="row" | 2006 | ''Kettle of Fish'' | Inga | |- ! scope="row" | 2006 | ''Bella'' | Veronica | |- ! scope="row" | 2007 | ''Charlie'' | Emma the Dancer | |- ! scope="row" | 2011 | ''Dogs Lie'' | Lucia | |- ! scope="row" | 2012 | ''Excuse Me for Living'' | Charlie | |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | ''Kill Buljo 2'' | Randi | |- ! scope="row" | 2014 | ''Reya'' | The Understudy | |- ! scope="row" | 2017 | ''The Unattainable Story'' | Annick | |}

=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Television performances |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | 2006–2010 | ''As the World Turns'' | Vienna Hyatt | 277 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2008 | ''Lipstick Jungle'' | Chantel | Episode: "The Lyin', the Bitch and the Wardrobe" |- ! scope="row" | 2010 | ''Damages'' | Prostitute | 2 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2010 | ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' | Marya | Episode: "Loyalty: Part 1" |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{IMDb name|1851772}} {{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Da Cruz, Ewa}} Category:1977 births Category:People from Tromsø Municipality Category:Actresses from Bergen Category:Living people Category:Norwegian film actresses Category:Norwegian soap opera actresses Category:Norwegian television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:American soap opera actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Female models from New York (state) Category:Norwegian emigrants to the United States Category:American Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni Category:21st-century Norwegian actresses Category:21st-century American women