Mary Lankford Poiley

Mary Lankford Poiley, sometimes known as Mary Lane, radiates a rare spark in the entertainment world, weaving her talents as an actress, model, and producer into a career that feels both grounded and electric. Hailing from a place steeped in storytelling tradition, she stepped into the spotlight in the mid-1990s, quickly earning a reputation for breathing life into complex characters. Her standout roles in gritty horror flicks like Last Shift (2014) and Missionary (2013) reveal a knack for blending raw intensity with quiet depth, while her work in Exhume (2017) proved she could hold a scene with little more than a glance. Off-screen, she channels her creative fire as CEO of Skyrastudios, mentoring young artists through acting workshops that emphasize craft over flash. Her modeling portfolio, too, tells a story of versatility, with campaigns that lean into bold individuality rather than fleeting trends. Colleagues call her a chameleon, someone who slips into roles with an ease that feels almost instinctual, yet her advocacy for indie filmmakers and underrepresented voices shows a heart firmly rooted in community. Occasionally credited as M.L. Lane in avant-garde projects, she's tackled everything from stage to screen, earning praise for her "stillness that speaks volumes," as one director put it. Whether she's embodying a haunted soul in a psychological thriller or shaping the next generation of talent, Mary Lankford Poiley crafts her legacy with a steady hand, blending artistry and purpose in a way that resonates long after the curtain falls.