Anya Major

Who is Anya Major?

Anya Major is an English athlete, actress, model and singer who starred in Apple Computer's "1984" commercial, and who appeared as "Nikita" in the video to Elton John's song of the same name.

In 1983, the Chiat/Day advertising agency held a casting call in London, on behalf of their client, Apple Computer, for what would prove to be a landmark television commercial. The vision of the agency and director Ridley Scott stipulated an actress capable of running up to a large video screen, swinging a sledgehammer in a wide spin, and releasing it at the video screen. Most of the models and actresses tested could not wield the clumsy hammer, much less throw it; in fact, one errant throw nearly struck a passerby at the Hyde Park casting call. The petite Major, an experienced discus thrower who had been discovered at a local health club, won the role with her ability to handle the hammer convincingly.

The commercial officially aired only twice on American television. Its best-known appearance was just after half-time of Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984.