Profile for Betina Joly

Betina Joly was born and raised in Santa Catarina, Brazil. She moved to the US in 2001 and did not speak a word of English except for “thank you” and “strawberries.” Betina taught herself how to speak English by copying the words from two randomly selected books, listening to words spoken by everyone around her, and memorizing random words from the dictionary.

Betina first moved to Arizona, then Florida, and finally New York where she fell in love with acting through opera and Shakespeare. In New York, Betina attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film. She also studied with The American Globe Theatre where she met many of her fellow ABTC members.

Betina has appeared in independent films and commercials. She currently lives with her family in New York City and performs weekly as a belly dancer.