Born: May 29, 1958
Age: 66
Birthplace: Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
Annette Carol Bening (born May 29, 1958) is an American actress. She began her career on the stage and was nominated for the 1987 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Coastal Disturbances. A four-time Academy Award-nominee for her roles in the films The Grifters (1990), American Beauty (1999), Being Julia (2004) and The Kids Are All Right (2010), she won a BAFTA Award for American Beauty and Golden Globe Awards for Being Julia and The Kids Are All Right. Her other film roles include Valmont (1989), Bugsy (1991), The American President (1995), The Siege (1998), Open Range (2003), and Running with Scissors (2006).
In 2006, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her performance as Jean Harris in Mrs. Harris. That same year, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bening was born in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Shirley Katherine (née Ashley; b. 1929) and Arnett Grant Bening. Her mother was a church singer and soloist, and her father was a sales training consultant and insurance salesman. Her parents, natives of Iowa, were practicing Episcopalians and conservative Republicans. She is of mostly German and English descent. Bening has one sister, Jane, and two brothers, Bradley and Byron. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1959, where she spent her early childhood. In 1965, her father took a job with a company in San Diego, California, and they moved there. She began acting in junior high school, playing the lead in The Sound of Music. She graduated in 1975 from Patrick Henry High School, where she studied drama. She then spent a year working as a cook on a charter boat taking fishing parties out on the Pacific Ocean, and scuba diving for recreation. Bening attended San Diego Mesa College, then completed an academic degree in theatre arts at San Francisco State University.
Prior to becoming a film actress, Bening was a member of the acting company at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco while studying acting as part of the Advanced Theatre Training Program. There, she starred in such productions as Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. Bening also starred in productions of Pygmalion and The Cherry Orchard at the Denver Center Theatre Company during the 1985-86 season. She made her Broadway debut in 1987, garnering a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Coastal Disturbances.
Bening made her film debut in The Great Outdoors (1988). Her second film appearance was as the Marquise de Merteuil in Valmont (1989), opposite Colin Firth. Her breakthrough role was in The Grifters (1990), which starred John Cusack and Anjelica Huston, and earned Bening a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1991, she portrayed Virginia Hill in Barry Levinson's biopic Bugsy, alongside Warren Beatty. Later, she appeared in Regarding Henry with Harrison Ford. In 1994, Bening and Beatty starred in Love Affair, which also featured Katharine Hepburn. In 1995, Bening appeared in The American President, followed by Tim Burton's sci-fi spoof Mars Attacks! (1996). In 1998, she co-starred with Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis in The Siege.
The biggest critical and commercial success of her career thus far was the 1999 film American Beauty, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and was directed by Sam Mendes. For this performance, Bening was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role. Bening also starred in the films In Dreams (1999) and What Planet Are You From? (2000). Bening played Sue Barlow, Charley Waite's love interest, in Open Range (2003). In 2004, she played the title role in Being Julia, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Jean Harris the 2005 HBO film Mrs. Harris. In 2006, she replaced Julianne Moore to star in the film adaptation of Running with Scissors. In December of that year, Bening hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guests Gwen Stefani and Akon. In 2008, Bening starred in The Women. In 2009, Bening starred in a new interpretation of the Euripides classic Medea at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. The following year, she received positive reviews for her performance in the independent film Mother and Child (2009).
In 2010, she starred in Joanna Murray-Smith’s comedy The Female of the Species at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Later that year, Bening received strong critical acclaim for her performance in The Kids Are All Right, with several reviewers noting that she "deserves an Oscar" for her "sublime" performance. For that role, Bening won a second Golden Globe Award, and received Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. In 2012, Bening's audiobook recording of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway was released at Audible.com. It was announced in May 2014 that she would join John Lithgow in Shakespeare's King Lear at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, as part of the Public Theatre's Free Shakespeare in the Park. It marked her first New York stage appearance in 20 years.
Bening's first husband was choreographer J. Steven White from 1984 to 1991. She has been married to actor Warren Beatty since 1992. They have four children: Kathlyn Elizabeth (born January 8, 1992), Benjamin (born August 23, 1994), Isabel (born January 11, 1997), and Ella (born April 8, 2000).
Bening was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church Monastery.
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | The Great Outdoors | Kate Craig | |
1989 | Valmont | Marquise de Merteuil | |
1990 | Postcards from the Edge | Evelyn Ames | Cameo |
1990 | The Grifters | Myra Langtry | |
1991 | Guilty by Suspicion | Ruth Merrill | |
1991 | Regarding Henry | Sarah Turner | |
1991 | Bugsy | Virginia Hill | |
1994 | Love Affair | Terry McKay | |
1995 | Richard III | Queen Elizabeth | |
1995 | The American President | Sydney Ellen Wade | |
1996 | Mars Attacks! | Barbara Land | |
1998 | The Siege | Elise Kraft / Sharon Bridger | |
1999 | In Dreams | Claire Cooper | |
1999 | American Beauty | Carolyn Burnham | |
2000 | What Planet Are You From? | Susan Anderson | |
2003 | Open Range | Sue Barlow | |
2004 | Being Julia | Julia Lambert | |
2006 | Running with Scissors | Deirdre Burroughs | |
2008 | The Women | Sylvie Fowler | |
2009 | Mother and Child | Karen | |
2010 | The Kids Are All Right | Dr. Nicole Allgood | |
2012 | Ruby Sparks | Gertrude | |
2012 | Ginger & Rosa | May Bella | |
2012 | Girl Most Likely | Zelda | |
2013 | The Face of Love | Nikki Lostrom | |
2014 | The Search | Helen | |
2015 | Danny Collins | Mary Sinclair | |
2016 | Rules Don't Apply | Lucy Mabrey | Completed |
2016 | The Seagull | Irina Arkadina | In post-production |
2016 | 20th Century Women | Dorothea Fields | In post-production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1986 | Manhunt for Claude Dallas | Ann Tillman | Television film |
1987 | Miami Vice | Vicky | Episode: "Red Tape" |
1987 | Wiseguy | Karen Leland | Episode: "One on One" |
2001-03 | Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat | Jun (voice) | 2 episodes |
2002-03 | Liberty's Kids | Abigail Adams (voice) | 5 episodes |
2004 | The Sopranos | Herself | Episode: "The Test Dream" |
2005 | Mrs. Harris | Jean Harris | Television film |
2006 | Saturday Night Live | Herself - Host | Episode: "Annette Bening/Gwen Stefani & Akon" |
Year | Work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | Valmont | Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actress | Nominated |
1991 | The Grifters | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress | 2nd Place | ||
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
1992 | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Nominated | |
Valmont, The Grifters, Postcards from the Edge and Guilty by Suspicion | London Film Critics' Circle Award for Newcomer of the Year | Won | |
Bugsy | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama | Nominated | |
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss | Nominated | ||
1996 | The American President | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture | Nominated | ||
1999 | The Siege | Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Suspense | Nominated |
American Beauty | San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Won | |
2000 | Academy Award for Best Actress | Nominated | |
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama | Nominated | ||
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Won | ||
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture | Won | ||
Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Drama | Nominated | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast | Won | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama | Nominated | ||
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | 3rd Place | ||
2004 | Open Range | Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture | Nominated |
Bronze Wrangler for Outstanding Theatrical Motion Picture | Won | ||
Being Julia | Awards Circuit Community Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | Nominated | |
Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress | 2nd Place | ||
Hollywood Film Festival Award for Actress of the Year | Won | ||
National Board of Review Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
2005 | Academy Award for Best Actress | Nominated | |
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
Bangkok International Film Festival Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
London Film Critics Circle Award for Actress of the Year | Nominated | ||
Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Won | ||
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
2006 | Mrs. Harris | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie | Nominated |
Satellite Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
2007 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Nominated | ||
Prism Award for Performance in a TV Movie | Nominated | ||
2006 | Running with Scissors | Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Nominated |
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
2007 | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
2009 | The Women | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress | Nominated |
2010 | The Kids Are All Right | Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Actress | Won |
EDA Female Focus for Women's Image Award | Won | ||
EDA Female Focus Award for Actress Defying Age and Ageism and Unforgettable Moment and Bravest Performance | Nominated | ||
Award Circuit Community Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | 2nd Place | ||
Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress | 2nd Place | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance | Nominated | ||
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
North Texas Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | 3rd Place | ||
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Acting Ensemble | Nominated | ||
Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
Women Film Critics Circle Award for Best Comedic Actress | Won | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble | Nominated | ||
2011 | Academy Award for Best Actress | Nominated | |
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Won | ||
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble | Nominated | ||
Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association Award for Film Performance of the Year | Won | ||
Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead | Nominated | ||
Iowa Film Critics Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Irish Film and Television Award for Best International Actress | Won | ||
Italian Online Movie Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
London Film Critics Circle Award for Actress of the Year | Won | ||
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress | 2nd Place | ||
Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | ||
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress | Nominated | ||
2014 | Ginger & Rosa | Women Film Critics Circle Award for Women's Work/Best Ensemble | Nominated |
The Face of Love | Women's Image Network Award for Actress Feature Film | Nominated |
Charities
Annette Bening supports the following charitable causes: AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer.