Marissa Bode, a groundbreaking actress from Mazomanie, Wisconsin, is making rounds online and in the media with her debut role as Nessarose in the film adaptation of ‘Wicked’ (2024). She plays the adult version of the character while Cesily Collette Taylor plays the younger counterpart.
Born to a white father Sean Bode, a quality analyst for Natus Medical, and a black mother Patricia Bode, who works in workers compensation for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Marissa grew up in a supportive and diverse family that fueled her passion for the arts. She’s got an older brother, Tristan, who lives in Milwaukee and has been cheering her on every step of the way.
‘Wicked’ Nessarose Star Marissa Bode Belongs to Mixed Ethnicity
Marissa Bode is biracial, with a diverse cultural background reflecting both African American and European heritage. Her mother, Patricia Bode, is Black, while her father, Sean Bode, is white. This mixed ethnicity has contributed to Marissa’s identity as a woman of color, which she embraces alongside her roles as an advocate for representation across race, disability, and the LGBTQ+ community.
When Marissa was 11, her life changed completely. On the way to a rehearsal for a Children’s Theater of Madison show, she and her mom were in a car accident on Highway 14—a four-car crash. The accident left Marissa paralyzed from the waist down, but she faced it all with incredible strength. Just months later, she was back on stage, performing in Annie and continuing her love for acting.
Her parents and community rallied her and encouraged her independence and determination. When Marissa was 12, Patricia surprised her with tickets to see ‘Wicked’ at the Overture Center in Madison. Seeing the character Nessarose, who also uses a wheelchair, was a game-changer. That moment sparked a dream that would come full circle more than a decade later.
Marissa Bode went to Wisconsin Heights High School, where her choir and band teacher, Aniela Lemanski Haas, called her “spunky” and full of talent. She showed her love for theater by performing in high school productions like The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins.
After graduating in 2018, she headed to Los Angeles to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, finishing in 2021. Her move to L.A. was a big step toward independence, much like Nessarose’s journey in ‘Wicked.’
In 2022, Marissa auditioned for the role of Nessarose in the ‘Wicked’ film adaptation. The casting process was intense, with director Jon M. Chu looking for someone who could genuinely represent a character who uses a wheelchair. Marissa’s talent and perspective stood out, and she got the part in a memorable Zoom call where Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande welcomed her to the cast.
Just wanna give a shout out to Marissa Bode as Nessa, a performance that gave the character the empathy she needs. Cannot WAIT to see her take on Nessa in Part II 🩷 pic.twitter.com/ndZb1DD5Wh
— Emily Nesbitt (@emilynesbitt96) November 29, 2024
Marissa Bode’s role in ‘Wicked’ was more than just a performance. She teamed up with the production team to make sure her on-screen wheelchair matched her real-life one and pushed for thoughtful representation of disability. Her take on Nessarose brought authenticity and grace to the character, completely reimagining it.
Marissa’s parents and brother celebrated her milestones alongside her. Her mother, Patricia, went with her to the Australian premiere of ‘Wicked,’ while her father Sean joined her for the Los Angeles premiere, calling it “mind-blowing.” Tristan, her other brother, showed up for the New York and London premieres, displaying just how much her family has her back.
Outside of the movie, Marissa has turned into an advocate for disabled performers, women of color, and the LGBTQ+ community—she’s openly bisexual and is currently dating her girlfriend and fellow wheelchair user, Lauren “Wren” Brooks. Her work inspires so many people, especially those with disabilities, to chase their dreams without hesitation.
Marissa’s hometown of Mazomanie has fully embraced her success, throwing community events and even putting up a billboard in her honor. Fans and mentors, like Lemanski Haas, have been cheering her on, often getting emotional over her powerful performances.
With ‘Wicked: Part Two’ just around the corner, Marissa is staying focused on uplifting disabled voices in Hollywood. She’s dreaming up future projects that showcase disabled creatives and characters whose stories go way beyond their disabilities. For her, it’s not just about her own achievements—it’s also about paving the way for others to shine.
Marissa Bode Challenges Ableist Jokes About Nessarose
Marissa Bode, who’s making history as the first wheelchair user to play Nessarose in ‘Wicked,’ didn’t hold back in a recent TikTok video where she called out ableist jokes about her character. In the five-minute clip, she got real about the harmful nature of humor that targets Nessarose’s disability, sparking an important discussion about art, representation, and respect.
Bode pointed out that humor can be a great way to connect with stories and characters, even fictional ones. She described Nessarose—Elphaba’s complicated and sometimes controversial sister—as a character whose struggles make ‘Wicked’ richer and more meaningful. While she’s cool with lighthearted jokes, like the ones about a house landing on Nessarose, she made it clear that using disability as a punchline is where she draws the line.
“Disability isn’t fictional,” Marissa Bode stressed. “I, Marissa, am still a person who lives with a disability every day.” She called out comments mocking Nessarose’s wheelchair or suggesting she “deserved” her condition, labeling them as cruel and reflective of real-world prejudice disabled people often face.
Marissa opened up about how these remarks take an emotional toll—not just as an actor, but as a disabled person pushing for change. “When jokes about not being able to walk come from non-disabled strangers, they feel less like humor and more like mockery,” she explained, pointing out the harmful undertones in such comments.
Even in her vulnerability, Marissa’s message was a powerful call to action. She leaned into Wicked’s theme of empathy and urged people to think about how their words affect others. “These comments don’t exist in a vacuum,” she reminded everyone. “They add to the bigger issue of how disabled people are seen and treated.”
Marissa Bode’s bravery in taking on this role hits right at the core of representation in media. By stepping into a part that’s usually played by non-disabled actors, she brings real authenticity to Nessarose’s story and challenges outdated views about disability. Her role in ‘Wicked’ isn’t just a big step for inclusivity—it’s a powerful reminder that both stories and the people who tell them deserve respect, on and off the stage.
By sharing her thoughts, Bode hasn’t just stood up for her character—she’s given a louder voice to disabled people everywhere. Her message is clear: representing others in art means honoring their humanity, plain and simple.
