Liora Kats is an actress known for her role as Janine Bruhl in Nickelodeon’s 2017 mystery TV show Hunter Street. Since this appearance, she has only deepened her commitment to the craft of acting, applying her unique skills and talents to the art. Throughout her journey, Liora has overcome challenges and setbacks but has held to the belief that “to get through it, you gotta go through it… whatever you believe will eventually be proven true.” She is now rapidly pushing forward in her career and realizing her dreams.
How Liora Started Acting
Liora was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Ukrainian mother, whose rich multicultural backgrounds she credits with shaping her worldview. Coupled with their cultural influence, Liora gained many early passions and talents, including cooking, baking, playing the piano, Krav Maga, and competitive Latin dancing—at one point, she was the vice-champion of Latin dancing in the Netherlands. However, besides all these talents, Liora says that “acting kept reappearing in my life without me actively pursuing it.”
“It was actually through my Latin dancing career that I landed my first role in a feature film,” Liora explains, “and I still vividly remember being 12 years old, absolutely mesmerized by the energy of a film set. Later, in high school, my drama teacher encouraged me to audition for a Nickelodeon casting call, which truly set my acting career in motion.”
An International Experience
Liora attended an international high school, gaining further cultural connections and planting the seed for her eventual move to the United States. She also learned to become financially independent at a young age, working ticket sales at the second largest amusement park in the Netherlands, selling haunted house tickets, and even as an assistant chef. When she finished her schooling in the Netherlands, she decided to travel and see the world.
“Having lived in more than two countries and traveled to over 36 across five continents, I have plenty of experiences that fuel and inspire my acting work,” Liora said. “The people I’ve met, the cultures I’ve experienced, and the places I’ve seen have all allowed me to view life from so many different perspectives.”
Enrollment in the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute
Following her travels, Liora enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, completing a two-year conservatory program. Since then, she has continued to take classes to hone her craft. She currently lives in New York City and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue acting in such a dynamic environment. Last year, Liora made her NYC stage debut, playing “Vanessa” in Significant Other by Joshua Harmon, directed by Ilana Stein. She also recently wrapped filming on a comedy-horror feature set to be distributed by Troma Entertainment.
“At first, I didn’t know how I’d feel in a completely new environment,” Liora reflected, “but I soon found myself deeply drawn to the work.” The magic of storytelling, of fully immersing yourself in a role, is something I never want to stop experiencing. Whether between ‘action’ and ‘cut,’ or from the beginning to the end of a scene, that magic is what keeps me inspired.”
A Vision for the Future
Moving forward, Liora has expressed her commitment to continue acting, storytelling, and embracing more diverse and challenging roles. For her, acting serves as a profound way to explore the human experience and grow both as an artist and a person. She also hopes to create her own work in the future and inspire others along the way. “The work is the win,” she says—a reminder that the journey itself is what drives her.