From a media release:
Actor Sofia Milos of The Border and CSI Miami is to receive the Award of Excellence at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008.
The Award of Excellence acknowledges exceptional achievement through a body of work over an extended period of time. The award will be presented to Milos at the Alberta Film Awards Lunch on Monday June 9, 2008.
Sofia Milos has gone up against some of the toughest guys in television in her roles as Homeland Security Agent Blanca LaGarda on The Border, and as detective Yelina Salas on the Emmy-winning, international hit show CSI: Miami, a role she has had for 5 seasons. On the ground-breaking series The Sopranos, Milos had the recurring role of mob boss Annalisa Zucca where she went toe-to-toe with Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini); and on the cult hit Curb Your Enthusiasm, created by and starring Larry David, she had Richard Lewis as a boy friend.
At the age of 15, Milos – who is fluent in Italian, French, German, English, Greek, and Spanish – began a modeling career which helped her pay her way through Business and Economics school in Switzerland. In 1990, Milos moved from Europe to the United States, enrolling at the Beverly Hills Playhouse where she studied Theatre for over 8 years. Television producers took notice.
Her first series regular role was as the fiery Italian fashion model in Café Americain, co-starring Valerie Bertinelli. In a hilarious episode of the much-loved Friends, she played the object of Matthew Perry obsession. She guest starred in the season finale Mad About You with Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt. From 1997 to 1998, she played Richard’s passionate wife in Caroline in the City.
“It is a great honour to be recognized by The Banff World Television Festival,” comments Milos, “I am thrilled to receive the Award of Excellence from an event that has truly been embraced by the international broadcast community.”
“Sofia’s expansive range as an actor has earned her international recognition and admiration,” says Jennifer Harkness, Executive Director, BANFF. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge this with the Award of Excellence.”
Milos will also be speaking before delegates in one of BANFF’s In Conversation sessions where she will answer questions about her experiences in the television industry and on one of TV’s most popular series.
Previous recipients of the Banff Television Award of Excellence include Carol Mendelsohn (2007) Gordon Pinsent (2004), David Chase (2003), Gary David Goldberg (2002), Norman Jewison (2001), Dick Wolf (2000), David E. Kelley (1999), Don Hewitt (1998), Diane English (1997) and Steven Bochco (1996).