Abigail Breslin | |
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Breslin at Palm Springs Film Festival, January 6, 2007 |
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Born | Abigail Kathleen Breslin April 14, 1996 , U.S. |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2002–present |
Abigail Kathleen Breslin (born April 14, 1996) is an American actress. She is one of the youngest actresses ever to be nominated for a competitive Academy Award.
Breslin's films include Signs, Little Miss Sunshine, Nim's Island, Definitely, Maybe, My Sister's Keeper, and Zombieland.[1]
She appeared in her first commercial when she was 3 years of age and in her first movie, Signs, at the age of 5.[2]
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Abigail Breslin was born in New York City, the daughter of Kim, who manages her career, and Michael Breslin, a telecommunications expert, computer programmer and consultant.[3][4] Her maternal grandparents, Catherine and Lynn Blecker, are from New Jersey, and now live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.[5][6] Breslin has two older brothers Ryan Breslin and Spencer Breslin who is also an actor. Breslin lives in New York with her family, which her maternal grandparents have described as "very close-knit".[5][6] She is named after First Lady of the United States Abigail Adams.[7]
Breslin's career began at the age of three, when she appeared in a Toys "R" Us commercial.[8] Her first film role was in the 2002 science fiction thriller Signs, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, where she played Bo Hess, the daughter of the main character, Graham Hess (Mel Gibson). Signs garnered mostly positive reviews[9] and was a box office success, grossing $408 million worldwide.[10] Breslin's performance in the film was praised by critics.[11][12] David Ansen of Newsweek wrote that both her and co-star Rory Culkin gave "terrifically natural, nuanced performances".[13] In 2004, she appeared in the film Raising Helen where she and her brother Spencer played siblings. The film received mostly negative reviews.[14] Breslin also had a small role in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. In the independent film Keane, she played Kira Bedik, a young girl who reminds the mentally disturbed protagonist William Keane (Damian Lewis) of his abducted daughter. Keane had a limited theatrical release and grossed only $394,390 worldwide[15] but it received positive reviews and Breslin's performance was praised by critics.[16][17] Meghan Keane of The New York Sun wrote that "the scenes between Mr. Lewis and the charmingly fragile Kira, winningly played by Ms. Breslin, bring a captivating humanity to the film".[18]
Breslin's breakthrough role was in the 2006 comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine, where she played Olive Hoover, a beauty pageant contestant, the youngest in a dysfunctional family on a road trip. She was cast at the age of six, years before filming was started.[19] Her co-stars, Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin, both mentioned that they were "astounded by her seriousness of purpose during shooting".[20] Little Miss Sunshine was a critical[21] and commercial success, grossing $100 million worldwide.[22] Breslin's performance was highly praised;[23][24][25] Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote that "If Olive had been played by any other little girl, she would not have affected us as mightily as it did."[26] Breslin received nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress becoming the fourth youngest actress to be nominated in that category.[27] Her co-star, Alan Arkin, did not want her to win the award, specifying that he thought that she has "had enough attention" and "needs to have a childhood".[28]
Although Breslin did not win the Oscar, she co-presented with Jaden Smith at the 79th Academy Awards on February 25, 2007. Breslin was part of the Disney Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Annie Leibovitz photographed her as Fira from Disney Fairies with Julie Andrews as the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio.[29] On October 27, 2007, Breslin made her stage debut in the play Right You Are (If You Think You Are) in New York City at the Guggenheim Museum starring in an ensemble cast alongside Cate Blanchett, Dianne Wiest, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard.[30] In 2007, Breslin was ranked #8 in Forbes Magazine's list of "Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars", having earned $1.5 million in 2006.[31]
Breslin next appeared in the 2007 romantic comedy No Reservations, playing the niece of master chef Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The film garnered mostly negative reviews[32] but was successful commercially, grossing $92 million worldwide.[33] Roger Ebert wrote that Breslin "has the stuff to emerge as a three-dimensional kid, if she weren't employed so resolutely as a pawn."[34] Also in 2007, she starred in another romantic comedy, Definitely, Maybe, in which her character is the daughter of a recently divorced father (Ryan Reynolds).[35] Definitely, Maybe received generally favorable reviews,[36] with Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer writing that Breslin is "alarmingly cute – but she backs the cuteness up with serious acting instinct".[37]
In 2008, Breslin starred with Jodie Foster in the film Nim's Island as Nim Rusoe, a young girl who lives on a remote tropical island.[38] Nim's Island received mixed reviews[39] but was successful financially, grossing $100 million worldwide.[40] Also in 2008, Breslin appeared in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl as the title character. The film was based on the American Girl line of dolls, books, and accessories that Breslin is a fan of.[41] Kit Kittredge: An American Girl garnered favorable reviews[42] and grossed $17 million at the box office.[43] Breslin's performance in the film was praised by critics;[44][45][46] Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal wrote that she "carries the event-stuffed story with unflagging grace".[47]
In 2009, Breslin appeared in My Sister's Keeper, where she played the role of Anna Fitzgerald, a young girl who was conceived to be a donor for her sister, Kate, who suffers from leukemia. Elle and Dakota Fanning were slated to play the roles of Anna and Kate respectively;[48] however, Dakota refused to shave her head for the role, so she and Elle were replaced by Sofia Vassilieva and Breslin.[49] My Sister's Keeper received mixed reviews[50] but was a financial success, grossing $95 million worldwide.[51] James Berardinelli wrote that Breslin and Vassilieva "display a natural bond one might expect from sisters, and there's no hint of artifice or overacting in either performance".[52] Also in 2009, Breslin appeared in the horror comedy Zombieland as Little Rock.[53] Director Ruben Fleischer said that "the dream was always to get Abigail Breslin" for the role.[54] The film received positive reviews[55] and was successful at the box office, grossing $102 million worldwide.[56]
In September 2009, Breslin was spotted filming in Des Moines, Iowa as the title character in the film Janie Jones.[57] She plays a young girl who is abandoned by her drug-addicted mother at a concert.[58] "I can’t say too much about it, but it is a drama,” Breslin said. “It has some funny parts in it, but for the most part it’s drama.” The film is surrounded by a fair amount of secrets, and Breslin is one of the first main roles to be cast.[59]
With previews beginning in February 2010, she made her Broadway theatre debut as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker at the Circle in the Square Theatre.[60] Breslin said that she's honored to play Keller,[61] who is one of her "biggest heroes".[62] Her performance was praised by critics;[63][64][65] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that she "well portrays Helen's feral rebelliousness in the play's early sections and is deeply touching as her character's bond with her teacher grows".[66] Ticket sales for the play, however, were considered disappointing.[67] Producers David Richenthal and Dini von Mueffling announced that the play will close on April 4.[68]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002 | Signs | Bo Hess | Nominated – Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Youth Actress Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Young Actress Age Ten or Under |
2004 | Raising Helen | Sarah Davis | |
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement | Parade Girl Carolina | ||
Keane | Kira Bedik | ||
Chestnut: Hero of Central Park | Ray | ||
2005 | Family Plan | Nicole | Television film |
2006 | Little Miss Sunshine | Olive Hoover | Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actress Critics Choice Award for Best Cast Iowa Film Critics Award for Best Actress Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Youth in Film Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Youth Actress Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast Tokyo International Film Award for Best Actress Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Young Actress Age Ten or Under Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated – Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer Nominated – Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast Nominated – Gotham Award for Breakthrough Award Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress |
Imaginary Friend | Hally | ||
The Ultimate Gift | Emily Rose | ||
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause | Trish | ||
Air Buddies | Rosebud (voice) | ||
2007 | No Reservations | Zoe Armstrong | Nominated – Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actress Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress |
2008 | Definitely, Maybe | Maya Hayes | |
Nim's Island | Nim Rusoe | Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Movie Actress – Adventure | |
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl | Kit Kittredge | Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress | |
2009 | My Sister's Keeper | Anna Fitzgerald | Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress |
Zombieland | Little Rock | Nominated – Detroit Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble Cast | |
2010 | Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey | Jeana | post-production (voice) |
Vengeance: A Love Story | Bethie Maguire | pre-production | |
Janie Jones | Janie Jones | post-production | |
Dear Eleanor | Max | in production | |
The Wild Bunch | TBA | in production (voice) | |
2011 | Rango | TBA | (voice) |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | What I Like About You | Josie | Episode: "The Teddy Bear" |
Hack | Kayla Adams | Episode: "Domestic Disturbance" | |
2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Patty Branson | Episode: "Birthright" |
NCIS | Sandy Watson | Episode: "See No Evil" | |
2006 | Ghost Whisperer | Sarah Applewhite | Episode: "Melinda's First Ghost" |
Grey's Anatomy | Megan Clover | Episode: "Sometimes a Fantasy" |
Dates | Title | Role | Theatre | Notes |
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March 3, 2010 – April 4, 2010 | The Miracle Worker | Helen Keller | Circle in the Square Theatre | Broadway debut |
Award | Year | Category | Result | Role |
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Academy Awards | 2006 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated | Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine |
Alliance of Women Journalists (EDA Awards) | 2006 | Best Breakthrough Performance for a Young Actress | Won | |
BAFTA Awards | 2007 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated | |
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | 2006 | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
Critics Choice Awards | 2007 | Best Young Actress | Won | |
Best Ensemble Cast (Shared with cast) | Won | |||
2008 | Best Young Actress | Nominated | Zoe Armstrong in No Reservations | |
Empire Awards | 2006 | Best Female Newcomer | Nominated | Olive Hoover |
Gotham Awards | 2006 | Breakthrough Actor | Nominated | |
Iowa Film Critics Awards | 2006 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | |
MTV Movie Awards | 2007 | Best Breakthrough Performance | Nominated | |
Online Film Critics Awards | 2006 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | |
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2006 | Youth in Film | Won | |
Phoenix Film Critics | 2006 | Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role – Female | Won | |
2003 | Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role – Female | Nominated | Bo Hess in Signs | |
Satellite Awards | 2006 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated | Olive Hoover |
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) | 2007 | Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
Cast in a motion picture (Shared with cast) | Won | |||
St. Louis Film Critics | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
Teen Choice Awards | 2008 | Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure | Nominated | Nim Rusoe in Nim's Island |
Tokyo International Film Festival | 2006 | Best Actress | Won | Olive Hoover |
Women Film Critics Circle Awards | 2006 | Best Young Actress | Won | |
Young Artist Award | 2003 | Best Performance in a Feature Film Young Actress Age Ten or Under | Nominated | Bo Hess |
2007 | Best Performance in a Feature Film Young Actress Age Ten or Under | Won | Olive Hoover | |
2008 | Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress | Nominated | Zoe Armstrong | |
2009 | Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress | Nominated | Kit Kittredge in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl | |
2010 | Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress | Won | Anna Fitzgerald in My Sister's Keeper |