After appearing in commercials, Wyss landed her first television role, recurring on Universal's
When the Whistle Blows (1980) as
Dolph Sweet's daughter. The same year, she guest-starred on the television series
The Righteous Apples. In 1981, Wyss starred in the films
This House Possessed and
Force: Five, and guest-starred on episodes of the several television series, including
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,
ABC Afterschool Specials,
Jessica Novak, and
Teachers Only. In 1982, Wyss had a supporting role as high-school student Lisa in
Amy Heckerling's teen comedy classic
Fast Times at Ridgemont High, written by
Cameron Crowe and featuring then-unknown actors
Sean Penn,
Phoebe Cates,
Forest Whitaker,
Jennifer Jason Leigh, and
Nicolas Cage. The same year, she guest-starred on two episodes of the television series
Star of the Family. In 1983, Wyss appeared in the television films
Lone Star,
The Tom Swift and Linda Craig Mystery Hour, and
A Killer in the Family. Wyss later starred with
Loni Anderson in the television film ''My Mother's Secret Life'' (1984). Wyss had her
breakthrough role as victim
Tina Gray (the first on-screen kill of iconic villain
Freddy Krueger) in
Wes Craven's
horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), along with
Robert Englund,
Heather Langenkamp,
John Saxon, and
Johnny Depp.
Film critic Paul Attanasio praised the “slick performances” of the younger cast in a review for
The Washington Post, writing of Wyss: "Wyss is a teenage Hitchcock blond, a Little League Janet Leigh." The following year, Wyss guest-starred in the television series
Otherworld before starring in the films
Silverado as Phoebe and
Better Off Dead as Beth, who sank the main character into his depression by breaking up with him. From 1985 to 1986, Wyss guest-starred on
St. Elsewhere as Pru Dowler and
Cheers as Beth Curtis. In 1986, Wyss starred in the television films
Firefighter and
Something in Common. The same year, she starred in
Flag. In 1987, Wyss was cast in the television film
Independence and the television series
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter,
My Two Dads, and
Cagney & Lacey. In 1989, Wyss starred in the horror film
To Die For as Celia Kett. The same year, she portrayed Rabbit Layton in
Powwow Highway. In 1990, Wyss appeared in the
cult horror film,
Shakma (1990). In 1991, Wyss reprised her role as Celia in
Son of Darkness: To Die For II and starred alongside
Mark Hamill in
Black Magic Woman. The following year, Wyss starred in season one of the
fantasy television series
Highlander: The Series (1992) as a reporter named Randi McFarland. In 1997, Wyss was cast as Michelle Harding in
Strategic Command. In 1999, Wyss guest-starred as Stevie on the television series
Charmed. The following year, Wyss was cast in the short film
Bella! Bella! Bella! as Charlotte Breceda. In 2001, Wyss guest-starred on the crime series
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2002, she appeared in an episode each of
Judging Amy and
Drew Carey Show. In 2004, Wyss portrayed Sonya Witkowski in an episode of the television series
Cold Case. In 2006, Wyss guest-starred as a social worker in the television series
Dexter. She was a special guest of the
Crypticon 2010. The same year, Wyss appeared in
The Graves (2010). In 2014, Wyss portrayed Joanna Cass in an episode of
Major Crimes. In 2016, Amanda starred in the horror film
The Id. The same year, Wyss had a recurring role as Kat Cooper in three episodes of the television series
Murder in the First. ==Personal life==