Lusia Strus

Lusia Strus (born December 13, 1969) is an American writer, stage, and film actress known for her eclectic roles and incorporation of unusual accents. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to a Ukrainian family, Strus grew up speaking Ukrainian as her first language and attended Ukrainian school on weekends. She found early success in performing arts during high school and went on to study theater at Illinois State University. In 1993, she joined Greg Allen's Neo-Futurist ensemble, where she wrote and performed solo and ensemble performances. Strus has appeared in productions for renowned theaters such as Chicago Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Victory Gardens, as well as for the Curious Theatre Company and Northlight Repertory. She has also worked for companies such as Yoplait, WBEZ, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Strus is most recognized for her role as Adam Sandler's assistant (Alexa) in the movie 50 First Dates. Her career in theater and film spans nearly two decades.