Abigail Breslin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abigail Breslin
Breslin in 2015
Born	(1996-04-14) April 14, 1996 (age 29) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1999–present
Spouse(s)	Ira Kunyansky ​ (m. 2023)​
Relatives	Spencer Breslin (brother)

Abigail Breslin (born April 14, 1996) is an American actress. She started acting when she was very young. When she was 10 years old, she became very well known for playing Olive Hoover in the movie Little Miss Sunshine (2006). For this role, Abigail was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, which is a very important award in movies.

She continued to act in many popular films like No Reservations (2007), Nim's Island (2008), Definitely, Maybe (2008), My Sister's Keeper, and Zombieland (both 2009). She also lent her voice to Rango (2011) and starred in The Call (2013), August: Osage County (2013), Maggie (2015), and Stillwater (2021). Abigail also had a main role on television in the series Scream Queens from 2015 to 2016.

Early Life and Family

Abigail Breslin was born in New York City. Her mother, Kim, works as a talent manager, helping actors with their careers. Her father, Michael, worked with computers and as a consultant. Abigail has two older brothers, Ryan and Spencer. Both of her brothers are also actors.

The Breslin family grew up in the Lower East Side, New York. They were a very close family. Abigail was named after Abigail Adams, who was an important figure in early American history.

Acting Career

Starting Out in Acting

Abigail Breslin began her career when she was only three years old. Her first job was in a commercial for Toys "R" Us. Her first movie role was in Signs (2002), directed by M. Night Shyamalan. She played Bo Hess, the daughter of the main character, played by Mel Gibson. Critics praised Abigail's performance in the film. One critic said she gave a "terrifically natural" performance. Signs was a big success, earning over $408 million around the world.

In 2004, Abigail appeared in Raising Helen with her brother Spencer. They played siblings in the movie. That same year, she was also in Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. She had a small role in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as an orphan named Carolina. In the movie Keane, she played Kira Bedik, a young girl who reminds the main character of his missing daughter. Critics also praised her acting in Keane.

Becoming a Star

Abigail Breslin in 2007

Abigail's big breakthrough role was in the 2006 comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine. She played Olive Hoover, a young girl who enters a beauty pageant. She was chosen for the role when she was six years old, several years before filming began. Her co-stars were amazed by how serious she was about her acting.

Little Miss Sunshine was a huge hit with both critics and audiences, earning $100 million worldwide. Abigail's performance was highly praised. One critic wrote that her portrayal of Olive was incredibly impactful. She was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She became one of the youngest actresses ever nominated in that category. Even though she didn't win the Oscar, she presented an award at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007 with actor Jaden Smith.

In 2007, Abigail made her stage debut in a play called Right You Are (If You Think You Are) in New York City. She was part of a cast that included famous actors like Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman. Forbes magazine listed her as one of "Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars" in 2007.

She then appeared in the romantic comedy No Reservations (2007), playing the niece of a chef played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. The movie did well at the box office. In 2007, she also starred in Definitely, Maybe as the daughter of a recently divorced father, played by Ryan Reynolds. Critics liked her performance, saying she had "serious acting instinct."

Abigail Breslin at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010

In 2008, Abigail starred with Jodie Foster in Nim's Island. She played Nim Rusoe, a young girl living on a remote island. Nim's Island was a financial success. In the same year, she played the main character in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. This movie was based on the popular American Girl dolls and books. Critics praised Abigail's performance in this film too.

In 2009, Abigail appeared in My Sister's Keeper. She played Anna Fitzgerald, a young girl who was born to help her sister, Kate, who had leukemia. The movie was a financial success. Critics noted that Abigail and her co-star Sofia Vassilieva showed a natural bond like real sisters. Also in 2009, Abigail starred in the horror comedy Zombieland as Little Rock. The director said that Abigail was always their top choice for the role. This film also received positive reviews and was a box office hit.

Recent Work

Abigail Breslin at the premiere of August: Osage County in 2013

In 2010, Abigail made her debut on Broadway, which is New York's famous theater district. She played Helen Keller in the play The Miracle Worker. Abigail said she was honored to play Helen Keller, who is one of her heroes. Critics praised her performance in the play.

In 2011, Abigail lent her voice to Priscilla, a mouse, in the animated film Rango. She also appeared in the romantic comedy New Year's Eve. In 2013, she starred in the thriller The Call, which earned $68 million worldwide. She also appeared in Haunter as a ghost named Lisa.

Abigail also starred in the movie Ender's Game, based on the popular science fiction novel. In 2012, she was cast in August: Osage County, alongside famous actors like Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. The movie was released in 2013 and received good reviews. In 2014, Abigail appeared in the crime drama Perfect Sisters. From 2015 to 2016, she was part of the cast of the horror-comedy TV series Scream Queens.

In 2019, Abigail returned to her role as Little Rock in the sequel Zombieland: Double Tap. In 2021, she starred with Matt Damon in the crime drama film Stillwater.

Personal Life

Abigail Breslin has spoken out about important issues. She is an advocate against violence.

Her father, Michael, passed away in February 2021 at the age of 78.

In February 2022, Abigail announced that she was engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Ira Kunyansky. They got married on January 28, 2023.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video Games

Audio Dramas

Discography

Soundtrack Albums

Extended Plays

Singles

As Featuring Artist

Other Appearances

Awards and Nominations

Abigail Breslin has received many awards and nominations for her acting. Here are some of her notable achievements:

• Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Little Miss Sunshine (2007).
• Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Won Best Young Actress for Little Miss Sunshine (2007).
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Little Miss Sunshine (2007).
• Young Artist Awards: Won Best Leading Young Actress - Feature Film for My Sister's Keeper (2010).

See also

In Spanish: Abigail Breslin para niños