Max Minghella
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Max Minghella | |
|---|---|
 Minghella and girlfriend Leigh Lezark at the opera, September 25, 2006 |
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| Born | 16 September 1985 Hampstead, London, United Kingdom |
| Years active | 2005 - present |
Max Giorgio Choa Minghella (born September 16, 1985) is an English actor. The son of late film director Anthony Minghella, he has appeared in several dramatic American films, making his feature film debut in 2005's Bee Season and starring in 2006's Art School Confidential.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Minghella was born in Hampstead, London, the son of Academy Award-winning British director Anthony Minghella and Carolyn Choa, a Hong Kong-born Chinese[1] choreographer. Minghella spent time on his father's film sets while growing up, of which he has "fond memories", and has said that he has felt "no pressure" by his father to succeed in the entertainment industry.[2]
Minghella was inspired to become an actor during his late teenage years, after seeing a production of the play This is Our Youth at London's West End; he subsequently dropped out of the University College School to pursue an acting career, and attended the National Youth Theatre.[3]
[edit] Career
Although Minghella had a minor, uncredited appearance in his father's film, Cold Mountain,[4] his first professional role was in Bee Season, playing the son of a dysfunctional Jewish American family. The film was released in November 2005 to mostly mixed reviews and low box office, grossing only $1 million in its limited release,[5][6] although some critics remarked that Minghella was "a talented young actor to watch, delivering a strong performance".[7]
Minghella had a minor role in the political thriller Syriana, which was also released in November 2005, playing the son of George Clooney's CIA agent character. In 2006, he starred in the Daniel Clowes adaptation Art School Confidential, a quirky comedy directed by Terry Zwigoff and co-starring Sophia Myles and John Malkovich.
His most recent film, which premiered at the South by Southwest film festival on March 10, 2007, is Elvis and Anabelle, a dark romantic comedy in which he plays a mortician's son; the film co-stars Blake Lively and Mary Steenburgen. Minghella has described it as "a really sweet film".[1] Minghella was to play Art Bechstein in the film version of writer Michael Chabon's novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, but eventually dropped out of the project.[8]
In March of 2008 it was announced that Minghella would star opposite Rachel Weisz in Alejandro Amenábar's second English-language film entitled Agora. It is reported that the film is set in fourth century Egypt and revolves around Weisz' character Hypatia of Alexandria. Later in 2008, Minghella is expected to be seen in three theatrical releases; Hippie Hippie Shake, a film about Richard Neville set in 1960's London, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People starring Simon Pegg, and a segment of the dark comedy Brief Interviews with Hideous Men in which he narrates.
[edit] Personal life
Minghella attends Columbia University, which he considers his "first priority", as part of the class of 2009. He typically works on films only during his summer break.[1] Minghella has said that he feels like "an English boy at an American school", keeps to himself, and that most students at Columbia have "no idea" who he is.[1]
He was previously linked to actress Camilla Belle and is currently dating MisShapes DJ Leigh Lezark.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Toy Boys | Danny | Short |
| 1998 | Let The Good Times Roll | Boy with dog | Short |
| 2005 | Bee Season | Aaron Naumann | |
| Syriana | Robby Barnes | ||
| 2006 | Art School Confidential | Jerome Platz | |
| 2007 | Elvis and Anabelle | Elvis | |
| 2008 | How to Lose Friends & Alienate People | Vincent LePak | |
| Brief Interviews with Hideous Men | Narrator | (voice) | |
| Hippie Hippie Shake | Martin Sharp | Post-Production | |
| 2009 | Agora | Davus | Filming |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d MovieWeb. INTERVIEW: Max Minghella Talks Art School Confidential. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
- ^ Chicago Sun-Times. Film director's son makes his own busy career. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
- ^ The New York Times. The Talented History Student. Retrieved on 2006-05-13.
- ^ ASAP. Taking it to the Max. Retrieved on 2006-05-13.
- ^ The Numbers. Bee Season. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
- ^ RottenTomatoes. Bee Season. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
- ^ ComingSoon.net. Bee Season. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.
- ^ Pajiba.com. Interview with Rawson Marshall Thurber. Retrieved on 2006-08-06.
