Minnie Driver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minnie Driver
Driver in 2010
Born	Amelia Fiona Jessica Driver (1970-01-31) 31 January 1970 (age 55) London, England
Citizenship	United Kingdom United States (from 2017)
Alma mater	Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1991–present
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Partner(s)	Addison O'Dea (2019–present; engaged)
Children	1

Amelia Fiona Jessica "Minnie" Driver, born on January 31, 1970, is a talented actress and singer from both Britain and the United States. She became well-known after her big role in the 1995 movie Circle of Friends. Since then, Minnie Driver has appeared in many different films. These include the popular movie Grosse Pointe Blank and Good Will Hunting, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also sang in the musical film The Phantom of the Opera.

Minnie Driver has also lent her voice to animated characters. She was the voice of Lady Eboshi in the Japanese film Princess Mononoke. On television, she starred in shows like The Riches, Speechless, and About a Boy. She also had a recurring role in the show Will & Grace. Before acting, Minnie Driver was a singer and has released three solo albums. She has also voiced characters in video games, including Jurassic Park: Trespasser.

Early Life and Education

Minnie Driver was born Amelia Fiona Jessica Driver in London, England, on January 31, 1970. She spent her early childhood in Barbados until she was six years old. Her older sister, Kate, gave her the nickname "Minnie" when she was a child.

Her mother, Gaynor Churchward, was a fabric designer and a former model. Her father, Charles Ronald Driver, was from Swansea, Wales. He was a brave pilot who earned a special medal for his actions in a battle during World War II. He was also a director of a company called London United Investments.

Minnie's parents separated when she was six. After that, she went to a boarding school called Bedales School in Hampshire. Later, she studied acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. She also attended Collingham College in London.

Acting Career Highlights

Minnie Driver started her acting journey in 1991 with a TV advertisement for deodorant. She also began performing on stage that same year, singing jazz and playing the guitar to earn money. In 1993, she appeared in a TV show called Maigret. She also had small parts in other British TV shows like Casualty and Lovejoy.

Becoming a Star in Films

Minnie Driver became widely known in 1995 when she played the main role in the movie Circle of Friends. After this, she had a small role in the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995). She then appeared in Sleepers (1996) and had a leading role in Big Night (1996). In 1997, she co-starred in Grosse Pointe Blank with John Cusack.

A very important role for Minnie Driver was playing Skylar in the drama Good Will Hunting (1997). For this role, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This is one of the highest honors in the movie industry.

In 1998, Minnie Driver starred in the film The Governess. She also appeared in the action movie Hard Rain. Minnie has also used her voice for animated movies. She voiced Jane in Disney's 1999 film Tarzan and Lady Eboshi in the English version of Princess Mononoke.

Television Roles and Awards

From 2003 to 2020, Minnie Driver had a recurring role in the popular TV show Will & Grace. She played Lorraine Finster, a character who was often at odds with Karen Walker.

In 2007, she returned to television in the show The Riches. For her performance in this series, she was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. These are major awards for television acting. She also appeared in an episode of Modern Family in 2010.

Minnie Driver took on a lead role in the ABC sitcom Speechless, which started in 2016. She played the mother of three children, one of whom uses a wheelchair. The show was popular and ran for three seasons.

Music Career

Minnie Driver performing in 2004

Minnie Driver started making music when she was at boarding school. She was part of a band called the Milo Roth Band, which even got a recording contract when she was 19. In 2001, she signed with music labels EMI and Rounder Records. She also performed at the SXSW music festival.

Her first album, Everything I've Got in My Pocket, was released in 2004. The main song from the album reached number 34 in the U.K. charts. Minnie Driver wrote most of the songs on this album herself. In 2004, she also opened for the Finn Brothers on their tour in the U.K.

In the 2004 film The Phantom of the Opera, Minnie Driver played Carlotta Giudicelli. While she sang a song called "Learn to be Lonely" for the film, her singing as Carlotta was actually done by an opera singer named Margaret Preece because of the difficult opera style.

Minnie Driver released her second album, Seastories, in 2007. This album featured other musicians like Ryan Adams. Her third album, Ask Me to Dance, came out in 2014. It included songs by famous artists like Neil Young.

Podcast and Personal Life

In 2021, Minnie Driver started her own podcast called Minnie Questions with Minnie Driver. On her podcast, she asks her guests a special set of seven questions. Famous guests like Chelsea Clinton and Nick Jonas have appeared on her show.

Minnie Driver has one son, who was born in 2008. She has been in a relationship with Addison O'Dea since 2019, and they are engaged. In 2017, Minnie Driver became a citizen of the United States. After living in California for several years, she moved back to London.

Activism

Minnie Driver was a supporter and ambassador for Oxfam, a charity that helps people in need around the world. She supported them for a long time.

Filmography

Film Appearances

Minnie Driver at the premiere of Barney's Version in January 2011

Minnie Driver at the premiere of Chevalier in September 2022

Television Appearances

Video Game Voice Roles

Awards and Nominations

Minnie Driver has been recognized for her acting and singing with several awards and nominations throughout her career.

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Minnie Driver para niños