Aaron Eckhart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aaron Eckhart
Eckhart in 2016
Born	Aaron Edward Eckhart (1968-03-12) March 12, 1968 (age 57) Cupertino, California, U.S.
Education	Brigham Young University (BFA)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1992–present

Aaron Edward Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is an American actor. He was born in Cupertino, California. Aaron Eckhart moved to the United Kingdom when he was young. He started acting in school plays. Later, he moved to Australia for his last year of high school. He finished his education through a special course. Then, he graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, in 1994. He earned a degree in film.

While at BYU, Eckhart met director Neil LaBute. LaBute cast him in several of his plays. Later, Eckhart made his film debut in LaBute's movie In the Company of Men (1997). He played a challenging role in this film. He then appeared in three more of LaBute's movies.

Eckhart became widely known for his role as George in Erin Brockovich (2000). In 2006, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as Nick Naylor in Thank You for Smoking. In 2008, he played a big part in Christopher Nolan's popular Batman film The Dark Knight. He played District Attorney Harvey Dent / Two-Face.

He has also appeared in many other films. These include Love Happens, Rabbit Hole, and Battle: Los Angeles. He also starred in The Rum Diary, Olympus Has Fallen and its sequel, I, Frankenstein, Sully, and Midway.

Early Life and Education

Aaron Eckhart was born on March 12, 1968. His parents are Mary Martha Lawrence, a writer, and James Conrad Eckhart, a computer executive. He is the youngest of three brothers. His family moved to the United Kingdom in 1981. This was because of his father's job. They lived in towns like Cobham and Walton-on-Thames. Eckhart went to the American Community School. There, he first discovered acting. He even played Charlie Brown in a school play.

In 1985, Eckhart moved to Sydney, Australia. He attended the American International School of Sydney. He continued to develop his acting skills there. He left school early to work at a movie theater. He later earned his high school diploma through a special course. This also gave him time to enjoy surfing in Hawaii and France. He also went skiing in the Alps. In 1988, Eckhart returned to the United States. He studied film at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He graduated in 1994. He also studied acting at the William Esper Studio.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in Acting

While at Brigham Young University, Eckhart appeared in a film called Godly Sorrow. This was his first professional acting job. During this time, he met director and writer Neil LaBute. LaBute cast Eckhart in several of his plays. After college, Eckhart moved to New York City. He worked different jobs, like bartending and construction. His first TV roles were in commercials. In 1994, he was an extra on the show Beverly Hills, 90210. He also appeared in TV movies and short-lived shows.

In 1997, Neil LaBute asked Eckhart to star in his film In the Company of Men. Eckhart played a character who planned to trick a deaf co-worker. The film was his first to be shown in theaters. Critics liked the movie. One reviewer said Eckhart was "in chilling command" in his role. In the Company of Men was a success. It won awards, including Best First Film for LaBute. Eckhart won an Independent Spirit Award for his performance.

The next year, Eckhart starred in another LaBute film, Your Friends & Neighbors (1998). He played Barry, a husband in a difficult marriage. In 1999, he acted with Elisabeth Shue in Molly. He played the brother of a young woman who had autism. Eckhart also played a football coach in Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday.

Becoming Well-Known

Eckhart became widely known in 2000. He played George, a biker, in Steven Soderbergh's drama Erin Brockovich. The movie received good reviews and was a big success. It earned $256 million around the world. Critics praised his acting. One reviewer said he made goodness seem real. Eckhart later shared that he had not worked for almost a year before getting this role. He spent that time reading scripts and working on his acting skills.

Nick Nolte, Eckhart, Joshua Michael Stern, and Alan Cumming promoting Neverwas at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival.

After Erin Brockovich, Eckhart co-starred with Renée Zellweger in LaBute's Nurse Betty (2000). He then appeared in Sean Penn's mystery film The Pledge (2001). He played a young detective working with a veteran detective, played by Jack Nicholson. The movie received good reviews. The next year, he worked with LaBute again on Possession (2002). In 2003, Eckhart co-starred with Hilary Swank in The Core. This film was about a scientist trying to save the world. The movie was not very successful. Also in 2003, he appeared in The Missing and the action-thriller Paycheck.

In 2004, Eckhart was a guest star on the TV show Frasier. He played a boyfriend of Charlotte, Dr. Frasier Crane's love interest. His next film was Suspect Zero. This movie was about an FBI agent tracking a killer. Critics liked Eckhart's acting in the film. Suspect Zero did not do well at the box office. Also in 2004, Eckhart performed on stage in London. He starred with Julia Stiles in Oleanna. His performance received good reviews. In 2005, Eckhart appeared in Neverwas. He played a therapist at a mental hospital. This film was released directly to DVD.

Gaining Global Fame

Eckhart's next big project was Thank You for Smoking. He played Nick Naylor, a tobacco company spokesperson. Eckhart found the role challenging. He said he had to say "crazy" things with a smile. The film was shown at the 30th Toronto International Film Festival in 2005. It was released widely in 2006. For his role, Eckhart was nominated for a Golden Globe award. Critics praised his "standout" performance.

In the same year, he starred with Helena Bonham Carter in Conversations with Other Women (2006). Eckhart also appeared in the 2006 film noir The Black Dahlia. This movie was based on a real crime from 1947. He played Sergeant Leland "Lee" Blanchard, a detective. The film premiered at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival. Many critics enjoyed Eckhart's performance.

Eckhart signing autographs for fans during promotion of The Dark Knight in 2008.

In 2007, Eckhart starred in No Reservations. This was a remake of a German romantic comedy. He starred with Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film received mixed reviews. Eckhart starred in the 2008 comedy Meet Bill. He played Bill Anderson, an executive working for his father-in-law. He gained weight for this role.

Eckhart at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2013

Also in 2008, Eckhart played Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. This was the sequel to the 2005 film Batman Begins. Nolan chose Eckhart because of his past roles. Eckhart said his character was "still true to himself." The Dark Knight was a huge success. It earned $1 billion worldwide. It became the highest-grossing film of Eckhart's career. Critics praised his performance.

After The Dark Knight, Eckhart appeared in Alan Ball's Towelhead (2008). This film was based on a novel. Towelhead was not very successful. He then co-starred with Jennifer Aniston in the romantic drama Love Happens. He played a motivational speaker dealing with his own sadness. The movie received mixed reviews.

The next year, he starred with Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole (2010). This film was based on a play. In 2011, Eckhart starred in Battle: Los Angeles. He played a Marine platoon sergeant fighting an alien invasion. He also appeared with Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary. Eckhart played Sanderson, a wealthy landowner. In 2013, he starred as the U.S. President in Olympus Has Fallen. He played this role again in the 2016 sequel London Has Fallen.

In 2019, he starred in Roland Emmerich’s big movie Midway. This film also featured Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Dennis Quaid, and Woody Harrelson.

Personal Life

Aaron Eckhart was engaged to actress Emily Cline. They met while filming In the Company of Men. They separated in 1998. Eckhart prefers not to talk about his relationships in interviews. He dated Kristyn Osborn from 2006 to 2007. She is a songwriter and member of the group SHeDAISY. He appeared in their music video for "I'm Taking the Wheel."

Eckhart has shared that hypnosis helped him stop some habits. He enjoys amateur photography in his free time.

Filmography

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film Roles

Television Roles

Awards and Nominations

Aaron Eckhart has received several awards and nominations for his acting:

• Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance
• Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent
• Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
• Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead
• Nominated – St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
• Nominated – San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
• Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble
• People's Choice Award for Favorite Cast
• Nominated – Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
• Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
• Nominated – Scream Award for Best Villain

See also

In Spanish: Aaron Eckhart para niños