Anya Major (born 1966) is an athlete and model who starred in Apple Computer's famous "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. Unfortunately, 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 aired only twice on American television, most famously just after half-time of Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984. Even with this limited appearance, the ad created such a media frenzy that it gained many subsequent free TV airings and print mentions as it was discussed in the media.
Major later portrayed "Nikita" in the Elton John 1985 music video of the same name.
As a spin-off, she released a single named Moscow Nights using the name Anya.
Although Andy Hertzfeld of the Macintosh development team stated that Major had died of breast cancer in 2000, she is alive and well. She lives in
England with her husband Kim Rajah and their three children.
