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 started acting in school plays when he was young. He later studied film at Brigham Young University (BYU) and earned a degree in 1994.

While at BYU, Eckhart met director Neil LaBute. LaBute cast him in several of his plays. Eckhart became well-known for his role as George in the movie Erin Brockovich (2000). In 2006, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his part as Nick Naylor in Thank You for Smoking.

In 2008, he played a big role in Christopher Nolan's popular Batman film The Dark Knight. He acted as District Attorney Harvey Dent / Two-Face. After that, he appeared in many other movies. These include Love Happens, Rabbit Hole, Battle: Los Angeles, Olympus Has Fallen, and Midway.

Early Life and Education

Aaron Eckhart was born on March 12, 1968, in Cupertino, California. His mother, Mary Martha Lawrence, was a writer and artist. His father, James Conrad Eckhart, worked in computers. Aaron is the youngest of three brothers.

In 1981, his family moved to the United Kingdom for his father's job. They lived in places like Cobham and Walton-on-Thames. Aaron went to the American Community School. This is where he first started acting in school plays. He even played Charlie Brown in one production.

In 1985, Eckhart moved to Sydney, Australia. He attended the American International School of Sydney for his last year of high school. He continued to act in plays there. Later, he earned his high school diploma through a special education course. In 1988, Eckhart returned to the United States. He studied film at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in fine arts.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in Acting

While at Brigham Young University, Aaron Eckhart acted in a film called Godly Sorrow. This was his first professional acting job. He also met director Neil LaBute at this time. LaBute cast Eckhart in several of his plays. After college, Eckhart moved to New York City. He worked different jobs, like bartending, while looking for acting roles.

His first TV roles were in commercials. In 1994, he was an extra in the TV show Beverly Hills, 90210. He then got parts in TV movies and short-lived shows.

In 1997, Neil LaBute asked Eckhart to star in his first major film, In the Company of Men. Eckhart played a frustrated office worker. The movie was well-liked by critics. Eckhart won an Independent Spirit Award for his first big role.

He worked with LaBute again in Your Friends & Neighbors (1998). In 1999, he starred with Elisabeth Shue in Molly. He also played a football coach in Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday.

Gaining Recognition

Aaron Eckhart became widely known in 2000. He played George, a kind biker, in Steven Soderbergh's drama Erin Brockovich. The movie was very successful and earned a lot of money. Critics praised Eckhart's acting. He said he had not worked for almost a year before getting this role.

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

After Erin Brockovich, Eckhart acted with Renée Zellweger in Nurse Betty (2000). He then appeared in Sean Penn's mystery film The Pledge (2001). In this movie, he played a young detective working with a veteran detective, played by Jack Nicholson.

In 2003, Eckhart starred with Hilary Swank in The Core. This film was about scientists trying to save the world. He also appeared in The Missing and the action-thriller Paycheck.

In 2004, Eckhart was a guest star in two episodes of the TV show Frasier. He also acted on stage in London in a play called Oleanna.

Becoming a Global Star

Eckhart's next big project was Thank You for Smoking. He played Nick Naylor, a person who works for a tobacco company. The movie was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005. It was released to the public in 2006. For his role, Eckhart received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Critics said he gave a "standout" performance.

In the same year, he starred with Helena Bonham Carter in Conversations with Other Women (2006). He also appeared in the crime film The Black Dahlia (2006). He played a detective investigating a real crime from 1947.

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

In 2007, Eckhart starred in No Reservations. He played a talented chef alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones. In 2008, he acted in the comedy Meet Bill.

Also in 2008, Eckhart played the comic book character Harvey Dent in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. This movie was a sequel to Batman Begins. Nolan chose Eckhart because he could play complex characters. The Dark Knight was a huge success. It earned over $1 billion worldwide. It became the highest-grossing film of Eckhart's career.

Eckhart at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2013

He then co-starred with Jennifer Aniston in the romantic drama Love Happens (2009). In 2010, he starred with Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole.

In 2011, Eckhart starred in the science fiction film Battle: Los Angeles. He played a Marine platoon sergeant fighting against an alien invasion. He also appeared with Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary. In 2013, he played the U.S. President in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen. He played the 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 prefers to keep his personal life private. He was once engaged to actress Emily Cline, but they separated in 1998. He has also dated songwriter Kristyn Osborn.

Eckhart enjoys amateur photography in his free time. He has also mentioned that hypnosis helped him to stop some bad habits.

Filmography

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

• Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance
• Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent
• Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical and Comedy
• Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead
• Nominated – St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
• Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead
• 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