Minnie Driver
| Minnie Driver | |
|---|---|
|
Driver at the premiere of Barney's Version in January 2011 | |
| Born |
Amelia Fiona J. Driver 31 January 1970 Finsbury Park, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | British |
| Education |
Bedales Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation |
Actress Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Good Will Hunting |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | |
|
www | |
Amelia Fiona "Minnie" J. Driver (born 31 January 1970) is an English[1][2] actress and singer-songwriter. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film Good Will Hunting, and Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her work in the television series The Riches. She currently stars as Fiona on About a Boy.
Early life
Driver was born in London, her mother, Gaynor Churchward (née Millington), is a fabric designer and former couture model. Her father, Charles Ronald Driver (1921-2009), was born in Swansea, Wales, to English and Scottish parents;[3] he received the Distinguished Flying Medal for his role in the Battle of Heligoland Bight[4] and was a director of London United Investments.[1][3][5]
Her parents never married,[4] as her father was married to someone else throughout the relationship with her mother. They separated when Minnie was six years old[6] and sent her to a boarding school in Hampshire called Bedales.[6] Ronnie Driver moved to Barbados, where Minnie Driver spent her school holidays. She later attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[7] Minnie has an older sister Kate, film producer and manager and 2 younger half brothers - Charlie Driver from her father's subsequent marriage, and Ed Churchward from her mother's subsequent marriage to polo playing vet Patrick Churchward. .[6]
Career
Acting
Driver's television debut was in a 1991 TV advertisement for Right Guard deodorant.[8] Driver also made her stage debut in 1991, supplementing her income by performing as a jazz vocalist and guitarist.[9] She appeared on British television with comedians Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci, and had small parts in Casualty, The House of Eliott, Lovejoy and Peak Practice. Driver gained broader public attention when she played the lead role in Circle of Friends in 1995. She followed this with supporting roles in GoldenEye (1995), Sleepers (1996) and Grosse Pointe Blank (1997). She played opposite Matt Damon as Skylar in the drama Good Will Hunting (1997), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
In 1998, Driver starred in Sandra Goldbacher's film The Governess.[10] In 2003 and 2004, she had a recurring role on Will & Grace as Lorraine Finster, the nemesis of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally) and daughter of Karen's lover, Lyle Finster (John Cleese). Driver has also worked on several animated features, voicing Jane in Disney's 1999 version of Tarzan and Lady Eboshi in the 1999 English dubbed release of the Japanese film Princess Mononoke.
In March 2007, Driver made her return to television in the FX Network show The Riches. She was nominated for an Emmy Award[11] and a Golden Globe Award as Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2007 and 2008, respectively.[12] Driver appeared in the January 2010 episode of Modern Family entitled "Moon Landing".[13] She also starred in the television series The Deep[14] and appeared in Conviction, in the comedy-drama Barney's Version, winning a Genie Award for Best Supporting Actress. In October 2013, Driver started filming scenes for A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island alongside Frank Grillo, AnnaSophia Robb, Dianna Agron, John Leguizamo, Ed Westwick and Maggie Q.[15]
Music
Driver began making music during boarding school, where she was encouraged to sing, write and perform.[16] At 19, Driver got a record deal with a group called the Milo Roth Band.[16] In 2001 she signed with EMI and Rounder Records and performed at the SXSW music festival.[17] Her first album included the song, Everything I've Got in My Pocket, which reached No. 34[18] in the UK, and the song, "Invisible Girl" which peaked at No. 68. Driver wrote 10 of the 11 songs on the album. In 2004, Driver was the supporting act for the Finn Brothers on the UK portion of their world tour.[19]
In 2004, Driver played Carlotta Giudicelli in Joel Schumacher's film The Phantom of the Opera based on the hit musical of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Driver sang an original song "Learn to be Lonely," written for the film by Lloyd Webber. However, due to her lack of experience in opera, all her songs as Carlotta were dubbed by opera singer Magaret Preece. Driver released her second album, Seastories, in July 2007, featuring guest appearances by Ryan Adams, the Cardinals and Liz Phair.[20] Driver released a third album in October 2014 called, Ask Me To Dance that includes songs by Elliott Smith, Neil Young and the The Killers.[21]
Personal life
Driver dated Matt Damon in 1998[5] and was engaged to Josh Brolin in 2001.[22] In September 2008, Driver gave birth to a son, whom she named Henry,[23][24] and later revealed the father was producer Tim Lea.[25] In 2013, Driver appeared on an episode of the reality show Who Do You Think You Are?, in which she searched for information about her deceased father.[26]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The Zebra Man | Emily Ashdown | Short |
| 1995 | Circle of Friends | Bernadette "Benny" Hogan | Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actress |
| 1995 | GoldenEye | Irina | |
| 1996 | Big Night | Phyllis | London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year |
| 1996 | Sleepers | Carol Martinez | London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year |
| 1997 | Grosse Pointe Blank | Debi Newberry | London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year |
| 1997 | Good Will Hunting | Skylar | London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss |
| 1998 | Hard Rain | Karen | |
| 1998 | The Governess | Rosina da Silva | |
| 1998 | At Sachem Farm | Kendal | |
| 1999 | An Ideal Husband | Miss Mabel Chiltern | |
| 1999 | Princess Mononoke | Lady Eboshi | Voice: English version |
| 1999 | Tarzan | Jane Porter | Voice Nominated – Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production |
| 1999 | South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut | Brooke Shields | Voice |
| 2000 | Return to Me | Grace Briggs | |
| 2000 | Beautiful | Mona Hiburd | |
| 2000 | Slow Burn | Trina McTeague | |
| 2000 | The Upgrade | Constance Levine | Short |
| 2001 | High Heels and Low Lifes | Shannon | |
| 2001 | D.C. Smalls | Waitress | Short |
| 2003 | Owning Mahowny | Belinda | |
| 2003 | Hope Springs | Vera Edwards | |
| 2004 | Ella Enchanted | Mandy | |
| 2004 | Portrait | Donna | Short |
| 2004 | The Phantom of the Opera | Carlotta | Nominated – London Film Critics Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture |
| 2006 | The Virgin of Juarez | Karina Danes | |
| 2007 | Take | Ana Nichols | California Independent Film Festival Award for Best Actress Phoenix Film Festival Copper Wing Award for Best Acting Ensemble Tiburon International Film Festival Award for Best Actress |
| 2007 | Ripple Effect | Kitty | |
| 2009 | Motherhood | Sheila | |
| 2010 | Conviction | Abra | |
| 2010 | Barney's Version | Mrs. P | Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated – London Film Critics Circle Awards for British Supporting Actress of the Year Nominated – Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Canadian Film |
| 2011 | Hunky Dory | Vivienne Mae | |
| 2012 | Goats | Shaman | Uncredited |
| 2013 | I Give It a Year | Naomi | |
| 2014 | Return to Zero | Maggie Royal | Nominated–Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated–Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries |
| 2014 | Stage Fright | Kylie Swanson | |
| 2014 | Beyond the Lights | Macy Jean | |
| 2015 | A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island | Shannon | Post-Production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | God on the Rocks | Lydia | Movie |
| 1991 | The House of Eliott | Mary | Episode #1.4 |
| 1991 | Casualty | Zena Mitchell | Episode: The Last Word |
| 1992 | Lovejoy | Sarah | Episode: Kids |
| 1992 | Kinsey | Louise Kinsey | 3 episodes |
| 1993 | Maigret | Arlette | Episode: Maigret and the Night Club Dancer |
| 1993 | Mr. Wroe's Virgins | Leah | 4 episodes |
| 1993 | Screen One | Sally | Episode: Royal Celebration |
| 1994 | The Day Today | Mila Milandrovicz / Lally Sampson | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Peak Practice | Sue Keel | Episode: Enemy Within |
| 1994 | Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge | Daniella Forrest | Episode #1.2 |
| 1994 | That Sunday | Rachel | Short |
| 1995 | My Good Friend | Ellie | 7 episodes |
| 1995 | The Politician's Wife | Jennifer Caird | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | Cruel Train | Flora Mussell | Movie |
| 1996 | Murder Most Horrid | Sgt. Cole | Episode: Confess |
| 2000 | The X-Files | Cinema Audience | Uncredited Episode: Hollywood A.D. |
| 2003 | Absolutely Fabulous | Herself | 1 Episode |
| 2003; 2004 | Will & Grace | Lorraine Finster | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | Re\Visioned: Tomb Raider Animated Series | Lara Croft | 9 episodes |
| 2007–08 | The Riches | Dahlia Malloy | 20 episodes Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress – Drama Series Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama |
| 2010 | Modern Family | Valerie | Episode: Moon Landing |
| 2010 | The Deep | Frances Kelly | 5 episodes Miniseries |
| 2011 | Hail Mary | Mary Beth Baker | Movie |
| 2012 | Lady Friends | Jennifer Rensen | Movie |
| 2012 | QuickBites | Ellen | Episode: Food for Thought |
| 2012 | Web Therapy | Allegra Favreau | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Peter Pan Live! | Narrator / Adult Wendy Darling | Movie |
| 2014 | The Red Tent | Leah | 2 episodes |
| 2014–present | About a Boy | Fiona Bowa | Main role |
Other
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Jurassic Park: Trespasser. | Anne |
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | US Heat | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Everything I've Got in My Pocket | 43 | Zoë |
| 2007 | Seastories | 25 | |
| 2014 | Ask Me to Dance | 11 | Rounder |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Invisible Girl" | Everything I've Got in My Pocket |
| 2005 | "Everything I've Got in My Pocket" |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hutchinson, Clare (20 August 2010). "Hollywood star calls for Wales’ only lido to be opened". WalesOnline. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
- ↑ "Cranky Critic StarTalk: Minnie Driver". Crankycritic.com. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Minnie Driver: Series 10". Who Do You Think You Are?. BBC. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Minnie Driver: A Hollywood actress with a fascinating history that could be straight from a film plot...". The Genealogist.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Winters, Laura (2 August 1998). "Film; When the Character Calls, Minnie Driver Listens". The New York Times.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mears, Jo (24 September 2010). "Minnie Driver: My family values - The actress talks about her family". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ Lane, Harriet (3 August 1997). "Minnie the minx: She used to be an English public school mouse; now she's a Hollywood babe". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ "UK TV Adverts 1991 (part 3)". YouTube. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ↑ "Minnie Driver Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ↑ Matthews, Tom Dewe (10 September 1997). "Minnie the mix: How has Hampshire-bred actress Minnie Driver come to be a big success in Hollywood? By going native". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ "Minnie Driver". Emmys. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ "Minnie Driver - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ Abrams, Natalie (12 November 2009). "Minnie Driver to Guest-Star on Modern Family". TV Guide. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ "James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Goran Visnjic star in new BBC One drama serial, The Deep". BBC. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ http://variety.com/2013/film/news/frank-grillo-jekyll-island-minnie-driver-1200775773/
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Barnett, Laura (12 May 2008). "Portrait of the artist: Minnie Driver, actor and musician". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ Petridis, Alexis (2 September 2004). "'I've taken a pounding'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ↑ "(((Everything I've Got in My Pocket> Charts & Awards> Billboard Albums)))". AllMusic. 5 October 2004. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ↑ "Minnie Drives At Musical Success With Finn Brothers Tour". Contact Music. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ↑ "Phair, Ryan Adams Enhance Minnie Driver Sophomore Set". Billboard. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/minnie-driver-release-ask-me-721766
- ↑ "Minnie Driver Breaks Off Engagement". ABC News. 4 October 2001. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- ↑ Jordan, Julie; Chi, Paul (8 September 2008). "Minnie Driver Welcomes a Son!". People Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ Conner, Megan (18 February 2012). "Minnie Driver: 'Oh, I'm being so naughty …'". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2106136/Father-Minnie-Drivers-son-named-television-producer-Timothy-J-Lea.html
- ↑ Pearson, Jennifer (27 August 2014). "Minnie Driver unravels the truth about her father's double life and says she did it for son Henry in sneak peek for Who Do You Think You Are". Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Minnie Driver. |
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