Ashley Eckstein

2.1. Childhood and Education

Eckstein was born on September 22, 1981, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was raised in Orlando, Florida, where she gained her first professional experience as a cast member at Disney-MGM Studios.

2.2. Early Career

Eckstein began her acting career as a child actress, performing under her birth name, Ashley Drane. At the age of 12, she notably portrayed Helen Keller in a community theater production of The Miracle Worker. Her early career included additional stage work, as well as television and commercial roles in Orlando before she relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue her acting career.

3.1. Acting Career

Eckstein has appeared in various film and television roles. On television, she played Lisa Rossbach, Admiral Chegwidden's goddaughter, in an episode of the military-justice drama series JAG in 2001. In 2002, she took on the role of Jan Brady in the television film The Brady Bunch in the White House. She held a recurring role as Muffy on the Disney Channel sitcom That's So Raven from 2003 to 2006. Other television appearances include an episode of That '70s Show as Julie in 2003, Susan in an episode of Drake & Josh in 2004, Becca in Strong Medicine in 2004, Nancy in Hot Properties in 2005, and Grace in Phil of the Future in 2006. She was also a series regular on the sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV in 2004. In film, she played Alicia in Sydney White and Ms. Cole in Alice Upside Down, both released in 2007. Her early film roles also include a punk rock girl in Prey for Rock & Roll and Dylan Paccione in Ancient Warriors, both from 2003. Notably, she has often been cast in antagonist roles in her television appearances.

3.2. Voice Acting Career

Eckstein is most widely recognized for her extensive voice work, particularly her iconic portrayal of Ahsoka Tano in the Star Wars franchise. She originated the role in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and continued to voice the character throughout the critically acclaimed television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2014, 2020), Star Wars Rebels (2014-2016, 2018), Star Wars Forces of Destiny (2017-2018), and Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022). She also made a short voice cameo as Ahsoka Tano in the 2019 film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Beyond Star Wars, Eckstein has lent her voice to numerous other animated productions and video games. She voiced Yaeko Okajima in the English dub of the 1991 Japanese animated film Only Yesterday (released in English in 2016). For the DC Comics universe, she voiced Cheetah in DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year (2016), Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High (2018), and the DC Super Hero Girls television series (2015-2018). She also voiced Bailey in The Replacements (2008), Mia the Bluebird in Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012) and Sofia the First (2013-2018). Other notable voice roles include Energizer Bunny's Wife and Girl in Robot Chicken (2013), Dagger and Shriek in Ultimate Spider-Man (2014-2017), Lady Elanna in Avengers Assemble (2019), and Tallstar in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2020).

In video games, Eckstein has primarily voiced Ahsoka Tano in titles such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Duels (2008), Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes (2009), Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (2011), and Disney Infinity 3.0 (2015). She also narrated the 2016 audiobook Star Wars: Ahsoka by E. K. Johnston.

3.3. Entrepreneurship: Her Universe

In 2010, Ashley Eckstein founded Her Universe, a groundbreaking fashion brand dedicated to creating science-fiction and fantasy-themed apparel specifically for women and girls. The brand's mission is to provide stylish and comfortable clothing that allows female fans to express their love for popular franchises, promoting inclusivity and challenging the historical male-dominated perception of "geek" culture. Eckstein was reportedly motivated to create Her Universe after experiencing cyberbullying, which fueled her desire to make the Star Wars fandom, and broader pop culture fandoms, more welcoming and inclusive for everyone. The brand quickly gained traction, and by 2012, Disney began selling Her Universe products at its theme parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

3.4. Other Ventures

Beyond her acting and entrepreneurial pursuits, Eckstein has engaged in various other projects. She co-wrote the short story "By Whatever Sun" with E. K. Johnston, which was featured in the 2017 Star Wars anthology book From a Certain Point of View. Eckstein has also served as a brand ambassador for UNICEF Kid Power, joining figures like Aly Raisman and David Ortiz to promote physical activity and global citizenship among children. In November 2023, she was the guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.

3.5. Filmography

3.6. Television

3.7. Video Games

3.8. Audiobooks

• 2016: E. K. Johnston: Star Wars: Ahsoka

5.1. Positive Reception

Eckstein's work, particularly her voice portrayal of Ahsoka Tano, has garnered widespread positive reception and critical acclaim. Ahsoka Tano has become one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, and Eckstein's performance is often cited as a key factor in the character's enduring popularity and development across multiple animated series and films. Her ability to convey Ahsoka's growth from a young Padawan to a formidable Jedi Knight and Rebel leader has resonated deeply with audiences.

Her entrepreneurial venture, Her Universe, has also been highly praised for its innovative approach to fan merchandise. By creating fashionable and accessible apparel for women and girls, Eckstein has successfully addressed a significant gap in the market, making fandom more welcoming and representative. The brand's emphasis on "fashion for fangirls" has fostered a sense of community and empowerment, directly contributing to a more inclusive environment within pop culture conventions and online spaces. Her efforts have helped to normalize and celebrate female engagement in traditionally male-dominated genres.

5.2. Social Impact and Advocacy

Eckstein's commitment to social good is evident through her various initiatives. Her Universe's core mission is rooted in promoting inclusivity and empowerment, particularly for women and girls within the science fiction and fantasy fandoms. The brand actively challenges stereotypes and encourages self-expression, creating a space where all fans feel seen and valued. This advocacy extends beyond fashion; Eckstein has openly discussed how personal experiences with cyberbullying motivated her to build a brand that fosters a positive and supportive community.

Furthermore, her role as a brand ambassador for UNICEF Kid Power highlights her dedication to broader social causes. Through this partnership, she has actively promoted children's health and global citizenship, encouraging young people to engage in physical activity while simultaneously making a tangible difference in the lives of others through charitable initiatives. These efforts underscore her commitment to using her platform for positive social change and promoting representation and kindness within and beyond the entertainment industry.