Marissa Bode Bio: Age, Partner, Disability, Wicked Salary, Net Worth, SAG Awards, Activism & Career

Marissa Bode has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most consequential breakout stars of the decade, transforming a supporting role in a $600 million blockbuster into a platform for disability justice, authentic representation, and unapologetic advocacy . Born in a small Wisconsin town and paralyzed in a car crash at age eleven, Bode made history in 2024 as the first wheelchair user to portray Nessarose in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked—a role that earned her SAG, NAACP, and BAFTA nominations and made her the first wheelchair user ever nominated in any category at the Screen Actors Guild Awards . At 25, she stands at the intersection of queer identity, disability rights, and mainstream stardom, using her growing platform to challenge ableism in entertainment and beyond while building a career that already spans film, music, and independent production .

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Marissa Bode was born on August 28, 2000, in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, a small village outside Madison, to a Black mother and a white father . Her childhood was shaped by a love of performance from an early age—she began acting at age eight in local theater productions, with her first role as an orphan in The Prince and the Pauper . She went on to perform in community productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins, developing the stage presence that would eventually carry her to the big screen .

At age eleven, while on her way to practice for a theater production, Bode was involved in a car crash that left her paralyzed . She has relied on a wheelchair for mobility ever since. The accident fundamentally altered her life trajectory, but it also deepened her connection to performance. At age twelve, her mother surprised her with tickets to see the Broadway touring production of Wicked—a fateful viewing that would change everything . “That was my first time ever seeing a character in a wheelchair onstage,” Bode later recalled. “It was a flawed production, but it gave me permission. I didn’t realize that being an actor in a wheelchair was an option I had” .

After graduating high school, Bode enrolled at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), one of the nation’s premier performing arts conservatories, where she trained intensively in acting, voice, and movement . She graduated from AMDA and relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a professional acting career, facing the same accessibility barriers and limited casting opportunities that confront most disabled performers in Hollywood .

Career Journey

Early Theater & Independent Film (2013–2021)

Bode’s professional career began in local Wisconsin theater and gradually expanded into short films. In 2013, she appeared in the short film Carsleepers as Cassie Hairston . She continued building her résumé with the 2019 short No Roles Written, playing Kalliope—a title that poignantly reflected the reality of casting for disabled actors .

In 2021, Bode took creative control of her own narrative, writing, directing, and producing her first short film, You’re Adorable . The project was accepted into the 2021 Wisconsin Film Festival, marking her arrival as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker capable of working behind the camera as well as in front of it .

The Wicked Breakthrough (2022–2025)

Bode’s life changed in 2022 when it was announced that she had been cast as Nessarose Thropp—the younger sister of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and the future Wicked Witch of the East—in Jon M. Chu’s two-part film adaptation of the blockbuster Broadway musical Wicked . The casting made her the first disabled actress to portray Nessarose in the musical’s two-decade history, and the first wheelchair user to play the character authentically on screen .

Bode auditioned for the role over Zoom without ever meeting the casting directors in person . Director Jon M. Chu selected her from a competitive field, entrusting her with a character that had historically been portrayed by able-bodied actresses in wheelchairs on stage. Chu later described making the set accessible as “one of the most enlightening and beautiful processes I’ve ever ever gone through,” noting that accessibility needed to extend beyond behind-the-scenes accommodations into the visual world of Oz itself .

The production hired Chantelle Nassari, a wheelchair user, as a disability coordinator who would visit sets before Bode to anticipate and resolve accessibility issues . Bode praised the approach, noting that the team “made sure I had the same equity as my non-disabled peers” and focused on providing accommodations that allowed her to perform as an equal .

Wicked (2024) became a global phenomenon, grossing over $600 million worldwide and dominating pop culture for months . Bode’s portrayal of Nessarose—a character born unable to walk because her mother ate milk flowers during pregnancy—resonated with audiences for its nuance and authenticity. In Wicked: For Good (2025), her character evolved from a hopeful young girl into a dark, controlling governor, a transformation Bode described as “devastating” and deeply relatable to disabled viewers who have experienced performative friendship or romantic rejection .

Music & Soundtrack Contributions

Bode contributed to both Wicked soundtracks, performing on “Dancing Through Life” (2024) alongside Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, and Cynthia Erivo, and “The Wicked Witch of the East” (2025) with Slater and Erivo .

Upcoming Projects

As of 2026, Bode is filming Snare, in which she plays Greta Mills, signaling her transition from blockbuster supporting roles to leading film work .

Career Stats & Awards

Historical Milestone: With her SAG Award nomination, Bode became the first wheelchair user ever nominated in any category at the Screen Actors Guild Awards .

Personal Life

Relationship with Lauren “Wren” Brooks

Marissa Bode identifies as queer and has been in a relationship with Lauren “Wren” Brooks since September 2023 . Brooks, who uses she/they pronouns and is also a wheelchair user, is a writer, journalist, and disability rights advocate from Long Beach, California . The couple met on a dating app, and Brooks later revealed they became “inseparable” within two weeks of meeting .

Brooks graduated from California State University, Long Beach in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in sociology . They write for Cripple Media, described as “the first media company written by and for disabled people,” and have published zines including one titled Palestine Is a Disability Issue . Brooks has also worked as a camp counselor for disabled youth, writing, “If I can make one child love themselves a little more, be a little more unapologetic, and take up a little more space than I’ve done something right” .

The couple made their red carpet debut at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in March 2025 and have since attended numerous high-profile events together, including the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the SAG Awards, and the Wicked: For Good premiere . They celebrated their one-year anniversary on September 24, 2024, with Brooks posting: “Happy one year to Marissa and I. Queer disabled love is life-changing” .

In June 2025, the couple attended Long Beach Pride together, continuing a tradition that began in 2024 when they were photographed kissing in front of anti-LGBTQ+ protestors at Los Angeles Pride .

Shared Activism

Bode and Brooks have become a visible power couple in disability justice circles. In June 2025, Bode teamed up with the American Association for People with Disabilities to speak out against proposed $715 billion cuts to Medicaid, with Brooks joining her in urging people to contact their senators . Brooks has also collaborated with activist Blair Imani to share information about Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act .

Controversies

Ableism and Online Harassment

Bode has faced significant ableist backlash online since Wicked‘s release. In November 2024, she posted a viral TikTok addressing “aggressive comments and jokes” about Nessarose’s disability, calling them “very gross and harmful” .

“Disability is not fictional,” she stated. “At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair. It is simply low-hanging fruit that too many of you are comfortable taking” . The video drew widespread support from fans and fellow performers, including Lizzo, who commented on Brooks’ social media offering encouragement during the couple’s adjustment to public scrutiny .

Political Advocacy and Industry Backlash

Bode has been vocal about her political beliefs despite reports of potential industry blacklisting. She has condemned the genocide in Gaza, criticized right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, and spoken out against ableism in both entertainment and society at large . In her November 2025 interview with Polyester, she stated: “I was afraid of saying too much to the point of being blacklisted or shunned but at the end of the day, I want to be for the people. That’s something I can go to sleep feeling good about… it’s okay to not be for everybody” .

The “Queer Wicked” Debate

In a viral TikTok, Bode sparked conversation by listing the sexualities of Wicked characters, declaring “Glinda is a lesbian, Elphaba is bisexual, Nessarose is bisexual, Fiyero is bisexual, Boq is questioning but queer in some way” . It marked the first time a member of a Wicked cast had explicitly vocalized and legitimized the queer subtext long evident in the material, drawing both praise from LGBTQ+ fans and criticism from more conservative viewers.

Awards & Achievements

• First wheelchair user to portray Nessarose in Wicked film adaptations (2024, 2025)
• First wheelchair user nominated in any category at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (2025)
• SAG Award nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
• NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
• Astra Film Award nominee for Best Young Performer (2026)
• Mattel released a Nessarose doll in Bode’s likeness as part of the Wicked marketing campaign
• Featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Who What Wear, Women’s Health, and Grazia
• Amassed over 100,000 social media followers for activism and entertainment content

Physical Statistics

Specific physical statistics including height and weight are not publicly available. Bode uses a manual wheelchair for mobility. She has dark brown eyes, black hair, and a warm, expressive presence that has become recognizable on red carpets and in interviews worldwide.

Quotes

“That was my first time ever seeing a character in a wheelchair onstage. It was a flawed production, but it gave me permission. I didn’t realize that being an actor in a wheelchair was an option I had.” — On seeing Wicked at age twelve

“To be that representation for not only disabled people but disabled people of color is so exciting and so surreal.” — On her Wicked casting

“I was afraid of saying too much to the point of being blacklisted or shunned but at the end of the day, I want to be for the people. That’s something I can go to sleep feeling good about.” — On activism versus career safety

“Aggressive comments and jokes about Nessa’s disability itself are deeply uncomfortable because disability is not fictional. At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair.” — Responding to online ableism

“I just would love to be cast in a role that doesn’t focus primarily on my disability. Where I get to be in a space with my disabled peers and the disability isn’t the main focus all the time.” — On her career aspirations

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

Marissa Bode’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but available information provides a reasonable estimate. She reportedly earned $250,000 for her role in Wicked (2024), placing her in the same salary tier as co-star Bowen Yang . While this is modest compared to Ariana Grande’s reported $15 million or Cynthia Erivo’s $1 million, it represents a significant payday for a feature film debut .

With Wicked: For Good (2025), endorsement opportunities, her growing social media presence (100,000+ followers), magazine features, and upcoming film Snare, industry estimates place her current net worth in the $500,000 to $1 million range as of 2026. Her earning potential is expected to rise substantially as she transitions into leading roles and expands her production work.

Interesting Facts

• Bode auditioned for Wicked over Zoom without ever meeting the casting directors in person
• She was only a year out of college when she landed the role that would change her life
• The Wicked production hired a disability coordinator who was also a wheelchair user to ensure set accessibility
• She and her partner Lauren Brooks are both wheelchair users and both active in disability justice work
• Brooks published a zine titled Palestine Is a Disability Issue, connecting disability justice to Palestinian solidarity
• Bode’s first acting role was as an orphan in The Prince and the Pauper at age eight
• She contributed to both Wicked soundtracks, marking her recording industry debut
• Mattel released a Nessarose doll modeled after her likeness
• She has been open about Uber drivers canceling rides when they see her wheelchair, calling it “people making assumptions and panicking at the sight of any mobility device”

Did You Know Already?

• Bode became paralyzed at age eleven in a car crash while en route to theater practice—the same art form that would eventually make her famous
• She is the first wheelchair user ever nominated for a SAG Award in any category
• Her partner Lauren Brooks described dating an “up-and-coming celebrity” as “bizarre” and noted that fans are often shocked to learn she works a regular office job
• Bode wrote, directed, and produced her own short film You’re Adorable before landing Wicked
• She and Brooks attended LA Pride in 2024 and were photographed kissing in front of anti-LGBTQ+ protestors

Social Media Links

Stay connected with Marissa Bode through her official channels:

• Instagram: @marissa.bode
• TikTok: @marissa.bode
• Threads: @marissa.bode
• IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm5987576

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Marissa Bode become disabled?
Bode became paralyzed at age eleven following a car crash while on her way to practice for a theater production. She has used a wheelchair for mobility ever since .

Who is Marissa Bode’s partner?
Bode has been in a relationship with Lauren “Wren” Brooks since September 2023. Brooks is a writer, journalist, and disability rights advocate who also uses a wheelchair. The couple met on a dating app and made their red carpet debut at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards .

How much did Marissa Bode make for Wicked?
Bode reportedly earned $250,000 for her role as Nessarose in Wicked (2024), the same salary reported for co-star Bowen Yang .

What awards has Marissa Bode been nominated for?
Bode received ensemble nominations from the SAG Awards, NAACP Image Awards, BAFTA, and numerous critics associations for Wicked. Her SAG nomination made her the first wheelchair user ever nominated in any category at the awards .

Is Marissa Bode really in a wheelchair?
Yes. Bode is a wheelchair user who became paralyzed following a car accident at age eleven. Her casting as Nessarose marked the first time a disabled actress authentically portrayed the character .

Conclusion

Marissa Bode’s ascent from a small-town Wisconsin theater kid to a history-making film star represents more than a Hollywood success story—it signals a shift in how the entertainment industry approaches disability, authenticity, and representation. At 25, she has already shattered glass ceilings as the first wheelchair user to play Nessarose, the first to earn a SAG Award nomination, and one of the most visible disabled actresses of her generation. Her refusal to separate her art from her activism, her unapologetic queerness, and her partnership with fellow advocate Lauren Brooks suggest that Bode’s impact will extend far beyond the box office. As she moves from blockbuster supporting roles into leading film work with Snare and beyond, one thing is clear: Marissa Bode is not asking for a seat at the table—she’s building a more accessible one.

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