Leelee Sobieski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leelee Sobieski
Sobieski in 2012
Born	Liliane Rudabet Gloria Elsveta Sobieski (1983-06-10) June 10, 1983 (age 42) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Leelee Kimmel
Occupation	Actress, artist
Years active	1994–2012
Spouse(s)	Adam Kimmel ​ ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	2
Relatives	Martin Kimmel (father-in-law) Donald Aronow (grandfather-in-law)

Liliane Rudabet Gloria Elsveta "Leelee" Sobieski (born June 10, 1983) is an American artist and former actress. She became famous as a teenager for her roles in movies like Deep Impact (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), and Joy Ride (2001).

She was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for playing Joan of Arc in the TV movie Joan of Arc (1999). She also received another Golden Globe nomination for the TV miniseries Uprising (2001). Sobieski acted in movies and on TV until 2012. After retiring from acting, she began to focus on her art career and raising her children.

Early Life and Family

Sobieski at the Metropolitan Opera opening night in 2009

Sobieski was born in New York City on June 10, 1983. Her mother, Elizabeth, was a film producer and writer who also managed Leelee's career. Her father, Jean, is a French painter and former actor.

Sobieski grew up in a family with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, including Jewish, Polish, and Swiss roots. She has said she is proud of her family's "melting pot" heritage. She has a younger brother named Robert.

Her first name, Liliane, was her grandmother's name. She graduated from Trevor Day School in 2001. She later studied literature and fine art at Brown University.

Acting Career

Getting Started

A talent scout discovered Sobieski in her school cafeteria in New York City. This led to her first auditions. She first appeared in the TV movie Reunion in 1994. In 1997, she acted in the comedy movie Jungle 2 Jungle with Tim Allen and Martin Short.

Rise to Fame

Sobieski became well-known after starring in the 1998 movie Deep Impact. The movie was a big success and made her a popular young actress. The same year, she appeared in the film A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries. Her performance was praised by critics and earned her award nominations.

In 1999, she had a role in Stanley Kubrick's movie Eyes Wide Shut with Tom Cruise. She also played a supporting role in the popular comedy Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore.

Her most famous role came in 1999 when she played the main character in the TV movie Joan of Arc. For this role, she was nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe award. She was the youngest actress to ever play Joan of Arc.

Later Roles and Retirement

Sobieski at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2001, Sobieski starred in two thriller movies. The first was Joy Ride with Paul Walker and Steve Zahn. The second was The Glass House with Diane Lane. She also received her second Golden Globe nomination for the TV movie Uprising.

Over the next decade, she appeared in many different films and TV shows. She acted alongside famous actors like Al Pacino in 88 Minutes (2007) and John Cusack in Max (2002). She also speaks French fluently, which she used in the French miniseries Les Liaisons dangereuses (2003).

Her last major role was in the 2012 CBS television series NYC 22. Sobieski retired from acting in 2012. She later said she wanted to focus on her children and did not like many of the roles available to actresses.

Art Career

After retiring from acting, Sobieski began a new career as a professional artist, using her married name, Leelee Kimmel. She creates abstract paintings and sculptures. She is known for using bright colors and interesting shapes in her work.

Her first solo art show, called "Channels," opened in 2018 in Brooklyn, New York. It received very good reviews. The magazine Vogue wrote that her work had "serious merit." She later had another successful show in London called "Wormhole." Interview Magazine has said, "Leelee Kimmel has always been an artist."

Personal Life

In 2009, Sobieski began dating fashion designer Adam Kimmel. They got married in 2010. The couple has a daughter, born in 2009, and a son, born in 2014. They live in Red Hook, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

Sobieski learned to speak French from her father, who was born in France.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Leelee Sobieski para niños