Jennifer Connelly

Biography

Jennifer Connelly (born 12.12.1970) Jennifer Connelly is an American actress and former child model. In 2001, she won an Academy Award for her role in A Beautiful Mind.

Childhood: Jennifer Connelly was born in the Catskill Mountains area of New York, to Ilene and Gerard Connelly. Her mother was an antiques dealer and her father worked in clothing manufacturing. She was raised in Brooklyn Heights, close to the Brooklyn Bridge and studied at St. Ann's private school, aside from the four years that the family lived in Woodstock.

After a family friend suggested she try modeling, Jennifer Connelly started appearing in newspaper and magazine advertisements, moving on to television commercials. She soon moved on to auditioning for film work and her first role came when she appeared as 'young Deborah Gelly' in Sergio Leone's 1984 film Once Upon A Time in America. The film also starred James Woods, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Her next role came in 1985 when she took a starring role in Dario Argento's horror Phenomena. Donald Pleasence also starred in the film. That same year, she featured in Seven Minutes In Heaven, a 'coming-of-age' film.

Acting Career: A major breakthrough came in 1986 when Jennifer Connelly stared in Labyrinth, along with David Bowie. Although the film was not a huge success at the time, it soon became a cult classic. Connelly then went on to star in a number of more obscure films, including 1988's Etoile and 1988's Some Girls (with Patrick Dempsey). In 1990, Jennifer Connelly appeared in the Dennis Hopper-directed The Hot Spot, which failed to impress either the public or the movie critics. Career Opportunities, with Frank Whaley, however, proved to be more successful.

In 1991, Jennifer Connelly was featured on the cover of Esquire magazine. The following year, she starred opposite Jason Priestley in the video for Roy Orbison's 'I Drove All Night'. That same year, she appeared in the Disney film The Rocketeer, though this film also failed to boost her career. Following its release, Jennifer Connelly took a break from acting.

In 1996, she returned to appear in the independent film Far Harbor. She carried on appearing in small-budget, but revered films, such as Inventing the Abbotts in 1997, which also starred Joaquin Phoenix, Liv Tyler and Billy Crudup. The following year, she worked with the highly regarded actors Keifer Sutherland, Ian Richardson and William Hurt in the 1985 science fiction Dark City. In 2000, she appeared in Waking the Dead, with Billy Crudup again, as well as Molly Parker. That same year, she played Jackson Pollock's mistress in Pollock, opposite Ed Harris.

From 2000, Jennifer Connelly's career enjoyed something of a revival, starting with her appearance in Requiem for a Dream, based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr. Jared Leto and Marlon Wayans also starred in the film. The following year, she starred in the Ron Howard-directed A Beautiful Mind, opposite Russell Crowe and Ed Harris. The film was a huge success and Jennifer Connelly won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

In 2003, Jennifer Connelly starred in two films, Hulk, alongside Eric Bana, which was directed by Ang Lee and House of Sand and Fog, alongside Ben Kingsley. Two years later, she starred in the horror film Dark Water.

Connelly then starred opposite Kate Winslet in the movie adaptation of Little Children along with Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson. She then played a journalist in the highly acclaimed Blood Diamond opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a role opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Reservation Road.

In 2008, Jennifer Connelly appeared with Keanu Reeves in the sci-fi remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still. The film received mixed reviews. She also took a starring role in He's Just Not That Into You with Jennifer Aniston and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Personal Life: Jennifer Connelly has a son named Kai, from her relationship with the photographer David Dougan. Kai was born in 1997. She is now married to the actor Paul Bettany, who she met whilst she was working on A Beautiful Mind. They have a son, Stellan, born in 2003.

Biography by Contactmusic.com

Only The Brave Review

Based on a genuinely moving true story, this film undercuts the realism by pushing its heroic machismo at every turn. It's a well-made movie, with an above-average cast, and yet both the story and characters are neglected in the rush to honour the real-life men who risk their lives fighting wildfires. Thankfully, there are some strong, quiet moments along the way, and the story itself carries a proper emotional wallop.

It's set in Prescott, Arizona, where Eric (Josh Brolin) is trying to get his firefighting team certified as hotshots, qualified to take on the big wildfires. Supported by fire chief Duane (Jeff Bridges), he builds a crew that includes loyal captain Jesse (James Badge Dale) and talented womaniser Mac (Taylor Kitsch), and he gives a second chance to Brendan (Miles Teller), a recovering addict who reminds Eric of himself. Then when the crew is certified as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, the pressures of work strain their relationships with their wives and children. Indeed, Eric's strong-minded horse-trainer wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly) is annoyed that she's now seeing even less of him than before, but she supports his passion for the job.

Director Joseph Kozinski (Tron Legacy) directs the film with a rather relentless earnestness, clearly in reverent awe of these men. This allows for brief moments of raucous camaraderie, carefully controlled for a young teen audience, so the characters are interesting if never authentic. They feel more like overgrown Boy Scouts than earthy firefighters, and the overtones of heroism amongst them are a bit exhausting. Events unfold anecdotally, providing carefully concocted moments both in family lives and in the rather dull work of containing a wildfire. And this somewhat choppy approach prevents the film from building much momentum as it approaches its emotional climax, which is genuinely shattering.

Continue reading: Only The Brave Review

Jennifer Connelly posing alone and with Ewan McGregor and Dakota Fanning at a Special Screening of Lionsgate's new movie 'American Pastoral' - held at Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills, California, United States - Friday 14th October 2016

Shelter Review

Very Good

Paul Bettany makes a strong impression with his first film as a writer-director, exploring the big issue of homelessness from a variety of pointed angles. He also casts his wife Jennifer Connelly and his Avengers costar Anthony Mackie in demanding roles. The resulting film sometimes feels a little overworked dramatically, and relentlessly grim, but it's also provocative and moving.

It's set on the streets of New York, where Nigerian musician Tahir (Mackie) is living, having overstayed his US visa. Then he runs into junkie Hannah (Connelly), and the two have an immediate spark of camaraderie that blossoms into a tender relationship. But Tahir is trying to be a good Muslim, while Hannah is indulging in opportunistic crime to fund her habit. A brief respite squatting in an empty luxury home gets them off the streets briefly, so he can help her through withdrawal. And later when he's ill, she nurses him back to health. But finding somewhere to feel safe as winter bites down isn't easy. And desperation drives them to extraordinary actions.

The film is shot in an earthy, offhanded style that feels improvised, allowing Tahir and Hannah to emerge as complex people with a variety of talents and flaws. As they chat, details from their back-stories emerge, sparking anger and wrenching emotion, and drawing them inexorably together. Both Connelly and Mackie give performances that are full of passion. These are intelligent people who have been beaten down by life and don't have a clue where to turn next. So their sojourn in the empty house offers a glimpse into what kind of private life they would make if they had a chance, including borrowing some clean clothes from the vacationing owners ("I look like a zombie Goldilocks," Hannah observes).

Continue reading: Shelter Review

Paul Bettany Pushed Jennifer Connelly Into Dark Places With Shelter

By Rich Cline in Movies / TV / Theatre on 13 November 2015

Paul Bettany Jennifer Connelly

Connelly insists that she felt a lot of trust towards Bettany as a director.

For Shelter, his first film as a writer-director, Paul Bettany cast his wife Jennifer Connelly in the demanding leading role of a homeless junkie. And he let her get on with it. "Mostly I think character preparation is the actors' job," he says. "And I don't like it when a director tells me how to go about it, just as I don't tell a director where to put the camera or what lenses to shoot with. If I'm struggling as an actor I'll ask a question, but mostly I like to prepare quietly and do what I need to do to be ready."

Jennifer Connelly in Shelter Connelly's role in Shelter was particularly demanding

To prepare for their roles, Connelly and costar Anthony Mackie spent time on the streets meeting transients and talking to experts. "Jennifer became a card carrying member of New York's needle-exchange programme," Bettany says. "She would often leave me at home with the kids and off she would go to meetings or to hang out at night in parks. She also spent months gradually losing weight until she got to a pretty frightening place."

Continue reading: Paul Bettany Pushed Jennifer Connelly Into Dark Places With Shelter

Time To Magic Dance Again? Is ‘Labyrinth’ Really Getting A Sequel?

By Stephanie Chase in Movies / TV / Theatre on 11 October 2014

David Bowie Jennifer Connelly Jim Henson

The story that the Jim Henson Company has been working on ‘Labyrinth 2’ has been doing the rounds on the internet for the past 24 hours, but should we start getting excited or not?

The news that there could be a sequel to 80’s cult classic Labyrinth has hit the internet hard. It’s been years since we've read so many mentions of David Bowie’s crotch and hair. But who could blame them? The idea of another Labyrinth movie really is enough to set imaginations and heart’s racing. But it's time to take a breather and ask, is it actually happening?

David Bowie starred in Labyrinth back in 1986

The story that Labyrinth 2 (and seriously, they better not call it that) was in the works all started thanks to an article in Variety about Billy Crystal joining The Jim Henson Company’s new animated project Which Witch.

Continue reading: Time To Magic Dance Again? Is ‘Labyrinth’ Really Getting A Sequel?

'Captain America: The Winter Solider' Breaks April Box Office Record With $96.2 Million Weekend

By Nick Hill in Movies / TV / Theatre on 07 April 2014

Chris Evans Scarlett Johansson Robert Redford Samuel L Jackson Anthony Mackie Sebastian Stan Russell Crowe Jennifer Connelly Emma Watson Shailene Woodley Theo James Wes Anderson

The Marvel Studios movie eclipsed all competition at this weekend's box office after debuting No.1 and setting a new record for the month of April.

Marvel Studios' latest instalment, 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier', is proving to be hugely popular, not just among comic book fans, but all cinemagoers as it reigns No.1 at this week's North American box office, breaking the April earnings' record.

Captain America
Chris Evans reprises his role as the 'Captain' in the sequel

The sequel to 2011's 'Captain America: The First Avenger,' and the ninth instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe earned an impressive $96.2 million, which beat the previous highest-grossing movie in the month of April (2011's 'Fast Five') by $10 million.

Continue reading: 'Captain America: The Winter Solider' Breaks April Box Office Record With $96.2 Million Weekend

Yoga, Painting, Boyfriends And Theatre: Emma Watson Looks To The Future Now Hermione’s Not Holding Her Back

By Lauren James in Movies / TV / Theatre on 05 April 2014

Emma Watson Russell Crowe Logan Lerman Darren Aronofsky Douglas Booth Jennifer Connelly

The 'Noah' actress and unexpected yogi sees a future for herself away from blockbusters.

Emma Watson has been doing a lot of pondering on the next stage of her life. The Noah actress is now on the brink of graduating in English Literature from Brown University and is looking forward to life as a graduate and devoting more time to her passions rather than starring in blockbusters and studying.

Emma Watson Says She's Looking Forward To Yoga, Art & Theatre After Graduating.

She said: ''When I finish my degree, I will have a lot more time to pursue other passions, and I want to figure out what those will be. I love having something completely unrelated to the film industry. I want to find something that will let me use my brain in another way. I like connecting people who aren't part of that industry," via Wonderland Magazine.

Continue reading: Yoga, Painting, Boyfriends And Theatre: Emma Watson Looks To The Future Now Hermione’s Not Holding Her Back

'Noah': An Epic Of Biblical Proportions Taking America By Storm

By Rich Cline in Movies / TV / Theatre on 04 April 2014

Russell Crowe Darren Aronofsky Jennifer Connelly Emma Watson

Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic 'Noah' has topped the box office after dividing critics.

Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky has experimented with most genres over the course of his career, from brainy freak-out ('Pi') to gritty self-discovery ('The Wrestler') by way of intense drama ('Requiem for a Dream'), personal sci-fi odyssey ('The Fountain') and psychological horror ('Black Swan'). We've learned long ago to stop expecting what he'd tackle next, but no one saw the biblical epic on his to-do list.

Noah Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe Plays The Titular Ark-Builder In Darren Aronofsky's Biblical Epic.

Indeed, Noah isn't the usual biblical epic. Aronofsky has completely jettisoned the style of more reverential films for something much darker and more complex. It has understandably divided critics; some find it bloated and uneven, while others see something deep and provocative. But the one group that seems unsure what to make of it is America's notoriously powerful religious subculture.

Continue reading: 'Noah': An Epic Of Biblical Proportions Taking America By Storm

Noah Review

By Rich Cline

Darren Aronofsky continues to ambitiously experiment with genres in this Old Testament blockbuster, but this is his first real misstep as a filmmaker, as the impressive parts simply don't add up. Still, there are flashes of genius as the epic struggle between good and evil is echoed both in the grand spectacle and within the characters themselves.

It starts with the original sin, which divides Adam and Eve's sons - brutal killer Cain and peaceful caretaker Seth - into warring factions. A few generations later, all that's left of Seth's righteous line is Noah (Russell Crowe), his wife (Jennifer Connelly) and three sons (Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth and Leo McHugh Carroll), plus an adopted daughter (Emma Watson). After he has a vision that God is planning to cleanse mankind with a flood, Noah consults his grandfather Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins) and builds an ark to save his family and all of earth's animals. He also gets help from the Watchers, rock-encrusted fallen angels who previously assisted Cain's descendant Tubal (Ray Winstone), who goes into battle mode to stop Noah.

All of this is inventively set in a post-apocalyptic landscape left in ruins after generations of fighting. And Noah is the last true believer tending to creation, refusing to eat meat (although he wears leather accessories) and ruling over his family like a tyrant. This of course creates various carefully scripted conflicts for his family over the months they're stuck in the ark. But the moralising is never as deep as it pretends to be.

Continue reading: Noah Review

'Noah' Storms Debut Box Office, Riding Wave Of Controversy To No.1

By Lauren James in Movies / TV / Theatre on 31 March 2014

Russell Crowe Darren Aronofsky Emma Watson Jennifer Connelly Douglas Booth

For Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah,' the prophecy has been fulfilled.

Noah has swept to success in its debut weekend, having opened in the USA. Darren Aronofsky's controversial new biblical epic took a massive $44 million over the weekend, which sent the film sailing past last week's number one movie, Divergent, according to Box Office Mojo. Russell Crowe takes the titular lead in this big budget hard-hitter, starring alongside Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly and Douglas Booth.

Noah Russell Crowe
New Russell Crowe Epic 'Noah' Has Swept To Success In Its Opening Weekend.

It hasn't all been plain sailing for the latest movie from the Black Swan director. Noah has faced religious opposition and subsequent bans in certain Middle Eastern countries due to the fear of religious provocation. What's more, early reviewers simply weren't fussed by Aronofsky's lengthy epic, yet this negativity seems to have been turned around since more Noah reviews have flooded in, sending the movie's Rotten Tomatoes rating skywards.

Continue reading: 'Noah' Storms Debut Box Office, Riding Wave Of Controversy To No.1

'Noah' Basks In Warmer Ratings After Early Flood Of Critical Scorn

By Lauren James in Movies / TV / Theatre on 28 March 2014

Russell Crowe Emma Watson Jennifer Connelly Darren Aronofsky

Things are looking sunnier for Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic after early hiccups.

Box office prospects are beginning to look brighter for Noah, Darren Aronofsky's new biblical epic. Opening in the USA today, the Russell Crowe-starring blockbuster's commercial success fell into doubt after several Middle Eastern countries raced to ban the Genesis story and early critics issued a collective non-committal shrug. Noah was initially rated in the low 70's on Rotten Tomatoes but this number has climbed to 77% today, indicating a rising interest in the film now that the waters have calmed.

Noah Russell Crowe
Things Are Looking Up For 'Noah' Upon The Release Of The New Russell Crowe Film.

Aronofsky's movie has been banned in Middle Eastern countries, including The UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, because of a fear of religious provocation as the film breaks the Islamic taboo of depicting a prophet. Speaking at the Noah press call this week, Crowe branded the film's controversy "irrational" whilst co-star Emma Watson, who plays the wife of Noah's son, said she wasn't surprised by the uproar: "To be honest, I expected there to be controversy, I think all Biblical adaptations carry the weight of that because it is something that is so personal to people," she said.

Continue reading: 'Noah' Basks In Warmer Ratings After Early Flood Of Critical Scorn

Jennifer Connelly Wednesday 5th December 2012 tries to dodge the paparazzi while waiting for a taxi, before receiving some assistance from a New York City Police Officer

Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany Tuesday 12th May 2009 Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany pick up their children, Kai and Stellan, from school New York City, USA