Jennifer Connelly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jennifer Connelly
Connelly in 2010
Born	Jennifer Lynn Connelly (1970-12-12) December 12, 1970 (age 54) Cairo, New York, U.S.
Education	Yale University Stanford University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1982–present
Spouse(s)	Paul Bettany ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	3

Jennifer Lynn Connelly (born December 12, 1970) is an American actress. She started her career as a child model. Later, she became a famous actress.

Jennifer first acted in the 1984 film Once Upon a Time in America. She then starred in movies like the fantasy film Labyrinth (1986). She also appeared in the superhero film The Rocketeer (1991). People praised her acting in the science fiction movie Dark City (1998). She also starred in the drama Requiem for a Dream (2000).

Connelly won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in A Beautiful Mind (2001). She played Alicia Nash in this movie. Her other films include Hulk (2003) and Blood Diamond (2006). She also appeared in The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008). More recently, she was in Noah (2014) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022). She also stars in the TV series Snowpiercer (2020–2024).

In 2005, Jennifer became an Amnesty International Ambassador. This role helps teach people about human rights. She has also been the face of big fashion brands like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton. She also worked with Revlon and Shiseido cosmetics. Many magazines have called her one of the world's most beautiful women.

Early Life and Education

Jennifer Connelly was born in Cairo, New York. Her mother, Ilene, was an antique dealer. Her father, Gerard Karl Connelly, made clothes. Her father was Catholic and of Irish background. Her mother was Jewish. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Jewish immigrants from Poland and Russia.

Jennifer grew up mostly in Brooklyn Heights, New York. She went to Saint Ann's, a private school focused on arts. In 1976, her family moved to Woodstock to avoid city pollution. Four years later, they moved back to Brooklyn Heights. Jennifer returned to Saint Ann's School.

After high school, Jennifer studied English literature at Yale University in 1988. She was a very dedicated student. She spent most of her time studying in the library. After two years, she moved to Stanford University. There, she studied drama and learned from famous acting coaches. Her parents encouraged her to keep acting. So, Jennifer left college to focus on her movie career.

Career Beginnings

Modeling and First Roles (1980–1985)

When Jennifer was 10, a friend of her father suggested she try modeling. Her parents sent her picture to the Ford Modeling Agency. Soon, she was signed and began modeling for ads and TV commercials. She appeared on the covers of Seventeen magazine. In 1986, she even recorded two pop songs in Japanese for the Japanese market.

At age 12, Jennifer was chosen for a role in the film Once Upon a Time in America (1984). She played young Deborah Gelly, an aspiring dancer. She had no ballet training but impressed the director with her audition. She called this movie a wonderful start to her film career.

Jennifer's first main role was in the 1985 Italian film Phenomena. She then starred in Seven Minutes in Heaven the same year. Jennifer said acting became what she did, even though she didn't plan it. She felt like a "walking puppet" during her teenage years.

Becoming a Mainstream Star (1986–1999)

Jennifer became more widely known with Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth. She played Sarah Williams, a teenager who goes on a quest to save her brother from goblins. The movie wasn't a big hit at first. But it later became a cult classic, loved by many fans.

In 1990, she starred in The Hot Spot. The film didn't do well, but Jennifer's acting was praised. She was considered for the role of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman, but the director thought she was too young.

Her next film was the romantic comedy Career Opportunities (1991). Later that year, she starred in the big-budget Disney film The Rocketeer. She played Jenny Blake, the girlfriend of the hero. Critics said she was well-cast in the role.

Jennifer also appeared in Of Love and Shadows (1994) and Higher Learning (1995). In 1996, she was in the crime thriller Mulholland Falls. This film was not a success.

She then started working on smaller films that critics liked. One was the 1997 drama Inventing the Abbotts. A critic from Entertainment Weekly said Jennifer gave a strong performance.

Her next big role was in the 1998 science fiction film Dark City. She played Emma, a singer whose husband loses his memory. An author wrote that Jennifer looked "visually splendid" in her role.

Gaining Worldwide Fame (2000–2003)

In 2000, Jennifer played Ruth Kligman, the mistress of artist Jackson Pollock, in the film Pollock. The movie received good reviews. That same year, she was in the TV series The Street.

She also starred in Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream. She played Marion Silver, the girlfriend of Harry. The actors were praised for showing how their characters struggled.

Also in 2000, Jennifer appeared in Waking the Dead. She played Sarah Williams, an activist who is killed. The director was unsure about casting her at first. But after seeing her work, he said she had "subtlety and depth." Jennifer said this film was important to her because she felt truly connected to the role. The New York Times praised her performance.

Jennifer was very interested in the script for Ron Howard's 2001 film A Beautiful Mind. She was chosen to play Alicia Nash, the wife of mathematician John Nash. She met the real Alicia Nash to learn about her life. The film was a huge success. Jennifer won a Golden Globe, an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and a BAFTA for her role. Critics praised her performance. Time magazine called her acting "luminous." Jennifer said she was "really proud" of this film.

In 2003, Jennifer starred in Ang Lee's Hulk. She played Betty Ross, a scientist and the main character's former girlfriend. The film was a moderate success.

Later in 2003, she appeared in House of Sand and Fog. She played Kathy Nicolo, a woman whose house is sold. Jennifer said she liked that the story had no clear good or bad characters. A producer said Jennifer played Kathy with "power and grace." The film received good reviews.

Taking a Break and Returning to Film (2004–2009)

Connelly in 2005

After two years, Jennifer returned to films in 2005 with the horror film Dark Water. She played Dahlia, a young mother who moves into a haunted apartment. Critic Roger Ebert said he cared about Jennifer's character.

She then played Kathy Adamson in Little Children (2006). Jennifer also co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond (2006). She played Maddy Bowen, a journalist. New York magazine praised her smart and calm acting. Both Little Children and Blood Diamond were nominated for many Academy Awards.

In 2007, she appeared in the drama Reservation Road.

Jennifer played astrobiologist Helen Benson in The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008). This was a remake of a 1951 science fiction film. She then had a role in the 2009 romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You. Variety magazine praised her performance.

In 2009, she starred in Creation. She played Emma Darwin, the wife of Charles Darwin. Her real-life husband, Paul Bettany, played Charles Darwin. Critics said their acting together felt very real. Jennifer also voiced the character "7" in the animated film 9.

Recent Work (2010–Present)

Dustin Lance Black's film Virginia premiered in 2010. Jennifer played Virginia, a woman with mental health challenges. She prepared for the role by watching documentaries and visiting hospitals. Critics said Jennifer gave one of her best performances in years.

Connelly in 2019

In 2011, Jennifer starred in Ron Howard's comedy The Dilemma. She also appeared in Salvation Boulevard. That same year, she recorded an audiobook version of The Sheltering Sky.

Her next project was the family drama Stuck in Love (2012). In 2015, Jennifer starred in Shelter, which was directed by her husband, Paul Bettany. She also appeared in Winter's Tale (2014) and Aloft (2014).

Working again with Russell Crowe, she played Naameh in Darren Aronofsky's 2014 film Noah. The film received good reviews. Critics praised Jennifer's strong performance.

Jennifer starred in the TV series Snowpiercer from 2020 to 2024. This was her first main TV role since 2000.

In 2022, she played Penelope "Penny" Benjamin in the action film Top Gun: Maverick. This movie was a big success.

Personal Life

Connelly and her husband Paul Bettany at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

While filming The Rocketeer, Jennifer dated her co-star Billy Campbell. They were engaged but broke up in 1996. Jennifer then had a son in 1997 with photographer David Dugan.

On January 1, 2003, Jennifer married actor Paul Bettany in Scotland. They met while working on A Beautiful Mind. They have two children together: a son born in 2003 and a daughter born in 2011. The family lives in Brooklyn Heights.

Helping Others

On November 14, 2005, Jennifer Connelly became an Amnesty International Ambassador. She helps teach people about human rights. She also appeared in an ad about the need for clean water. She asked for donations for water projects in Africa, India, and Central America. In 2009, she took part in Revlon's annual 5k Run/Walk for Women. In May 2012, Jennifer became an ambassador for Save the Children. She works to support children's rights around the world.

In the Media

Magazines like Vanity Fair and Esquire have listed Jennifer among the world's most beautiful women. She has been the face of fashion campaigns for Balenciaga and Revlon.

In 2012, Jennifer became the first global brand ambassador for Shiseido, a beauty company. Since 2015, she has been a House Ambassador for the French luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton.

Filmography

Connelly at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival

Film

Television

Music Videos

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Jennifer Connelly para niños