Video: Wisconsin dad is proud of his Wicked daughter

By Salina Heller

January 5, 2026

Can you feel the immense pride beaming from Wisconsin?

Wisconsin native Marissa Bodie, from Mazomanie, is the first actress using wheelchair to play Nessarose in the Wicked movies—and Wisconsin can’t be more proud of her historic, authentic representation. When she was 11-years-old, a car crash left Marissa paralyzed from the waist down, but her journey from local theatre to Hollywood still continued.

Proud dad Sean Bode spoke with UpNorthNews and says the whole journey has been surreal.

✏️: Salina Heller

Author

Salina Heller

A former 15-year veteran of reporting local news for western Wisconsin TV and radio stations, Salina Heller also volunteers in community theater, helps organize the Chippewa Valley Air Show, and is kept busy by her daughter’s elementary school PTA meetings. She is a UW-Eau Claire alum.

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL VIDEO

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