name	Cinemax
logofile	Cinemax 2011 Logo.png
logosize	200px
logo2	Current logo, used since August 1, 2011.
launch	August 1, 1980
picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
owner	Home Box Office, Inc.(Time Warner)
slogan	''We Are Your Movie Channel''
country	United States
broadcast area	Nationwide
headquarters	New York City
sister names	HBO
web	http://www.cinemax.comhttp://www.maxgo.com
sat serv 1	DirecTV
sat chan 1	515 Cinemax (east) (SD/HD) 516 Cinemax (west) (SD/HD) 517 MoreMax (SD/HD)519 ActionMax (HD)520 5StarMax (HD)521 WMax (HD)522 ThrillerMax (HD)523 @Max (HD)1515 Cinemax On Demand
sat serv 2	Dish Network
sat chan 2	310 Cinemax (east) (SD/HD) 311 Cinemax (west) (SD/HD) 312 MoreMax 313 ActionMax (SD/HD) 314 5StarMax (SD/HD)
cable serv 1	Available on all cable systems
cable chan 1	Check local listings for channels
adsl serv 1	Verizon FIOS
adsl chan 1	420 Cinemax (east)421 Cinemax (west)422 MoreMax (east)423 MoreMax (west)424 ActionMax (east)425 ActionMax (west)426 ThrillerMax (east)427 ThrillerMax (west)428 WMax429 @Max430 5StarMax431 OuterMax((HD available))
adsl serv 2	AT&T; U-verse
adsl chan 2	See AT&T; U-verse channel lineup
online chan 1	}}

Cinemax, sometimes abbreviated as simply "Max", is a collection of premium television networks that broadcasts primarily feature films, along with softcore erotica, original action series, documentaries and special behind-the-scenes features. Cinemax is operated by Home Box Office, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner. The channel's name is a portmanteau of "cinema" and "maximum". As of August 2011, Cinemax's programming is available to 16.7 million subscribers in the United States.

History

Cinemax launched on August 1, 1980 as HBO's answer to The Movie Channel (at the time, The Movie Channel was owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, a joint venture between Time Warner predecessor Warner Communications and American Express; that channel is now owned by CBS Corporation through its Showtime Networks unit). Unlike HBO (and most cable and over-the-air broadcast channels already on the air at the time it launched), Cinemax broadcast 24 hours a day from the day it signed on the air (HBO had only broadcast about nine hours of programming a day from 3 p.m. to midnight ET until September 1981, when it began broadcasting a 24-hour schedule on weekends until midnight ET on Sunday nights; it did not start airing 24 hours on weekdays until December 28 of that year).

On-air spokesman Robert Culp told viewers that Cinemax would be about movies, and nothing but movies. At the time, HBO featured a wider range of programming, including some news, documentaries, children's entertainment, sporting events, and entertainment specials. Movie classics were a mainstay of the channel at its birth, "all uncut and commercial-free" as Culp said on-air. A heavy schedule of films from the 1950s to the 1970s made up most of Cinemax's program schedule.

Cinemax succeeded in its early years because cable subscribers typically had access to only about three dozen channels. Movies were the most sought-after program category by cable subscribers, and the fact Cinemax would show classics without commercials and editing made the channel an attractive add-on for HBO subscribers. In many cases, cable operators would not sell Cinemax to non-HBO subscribers. The two channels were typically sold as a package, usually at a discount for subscribers choosing both. A typical price for HBO in the early 1980s was $12.95 per month, while Cinemax typically could be added for between $7–10 extra per month.

In 1983, Cinemax's parent company Time-Life Inc. (which merged with Warner Communications in 1989 to form the present-day Time Warner), had filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against then-independent station KOKI (channel 23, now a Fox affiliate) in Tulsa, Oklahoma and its owners Tulsa 23, Ltd. over the use of the slogan "We Are Your Movie Star" (which was Cinemax's slogan at that time). However, Cinemax lost the case in Federal District Court to KOKI. As additional movie-oriented channels launched on cable, Cinemax's programming philosophy began to change to try and maintain its subscriber base. First, the channel opted to carry more violent fare that HBO would only show at night, and then Cinemax decided it could compete by airing more adult-oriented movies that contained nudity and strong sexual content.

During the network's first decade on the air, Cinemax had also aired some original music programming, during the mid-to-late 1980s, upon the meteoric rise in popularity of MTV, Cinemax tried its hand at airing music videos by airing an interstitial between films called ''Max Tracks'', it also ran music specials under the banner ''Cinemax Sessions'' during that same time period. The mid and late 1980s also saw Cinemax include a very limited amount of television series on its schedule including the sketch-comedy series ''Second City Television'' (whose U.S. broadcast rights Cinemax had acquired from NBC in 1983) and the science fiction series ''Max Headroom'' (which had also aired on ABC from 1987 to 1988). Despite these programming additions, Cinemax had remained foremost a movie channel. In February 1988, the premiere broadcast of the 1987 action-comedy film ''Lethal Weapon'' became the highest rated telecast in Cinemax's history at that time, averaging a 16.9 rating and 26 share.

Later on starting in 1992, Cinemax re-entered into the carriage of television series with the addition of adult-oriented scripted series similar in content to the adult films that are featured in the late night timeslots, such as the network's first original adult series ''Erotic Confessions'', and later series entries such as ''Hot Line'', ''Passion Cove'', ''Lingerie'' and ''Co-Ed Confidential''. From 1992 to 1997, Cinemax aired one movie each day of the week that would be centered around a certain genre, represented by various pictures that would play in a specialized feature presentation bumper before the start of the movie; the symbols included: Comedy (represented by an abstract face made up of various movie props, with the mouth open to look like it is laughing), Suspense (represented by a running man silhouette), Premiere (represented by an exclamation point caught in spotlights), Horror (represented by a skull), Drama (represented by abstract comedy & tragedy masks), Vanguard (represented by a globe), Action (represented by a machine gun) and Classic (represented by a classic movie-era couple embracing and kissing). The particular film genre that played on what day (and time) varied by country. In the United States:

Monday, 8 p.m. ET: Comedy

Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET: Suspense

Wednesday (originally Friday), 8 p.m. ET: Vanguard Thursday, 8 p.m. ET: Drama (originally Horror) Friday (originally Wednesday), 8 p.m. ET: Premiere Saturday, 10 p.m. ET (originally 11:30 p.m. ET): Action

Sunday, Noon ET: Classic

In Latin America:

Monday: Comedy

Tuesday: Classic

Wednesday: Drama

Thursday: Horror / Suspense

Friday: Vanguard

Saturday: Premiere

Sunday: Action

These genre-based movie presentations ended upon the channel's 1997 rebranding, when Cinemax's only themed movie presentation became a featured movie every night at 8 p.m. ET and a primetime movie nightly at 10 p.m. ET. Upon their launches in 1998, Cinemax offered viewers "sneak preview" blocks of programming that could be seen on ActionMax and ThrillerMax in primetime on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively. By the mid-2000s, the classic films from the 1960s and earlier that had been broadcast on Cinemax from its launch were relegated to some of its multiplex channels, and have become prominent on its multiplex service, 5StarMax. Today, a large majority of mainstream films featured on Cinemax are from the 1990s to present, with some films from the 1970s and 1980s included on the schedule. In 2001, Cinemax began to change its feature film focus from a channel that airs second-run feature films that previously were broadcast by sister channel HBO before their Cinemax debut, to one that premieres select blockbuster and lesser-known theatrical films before their HBO debut.

In February 2011, it was announced that Cinemax will begin to offer mainstream original programming to compete with sister channel HBO, and rivals Showtime and Starz; the channel is slated to develop action-oriented original mainstream series aimed at males ages 18-49. The decision is also in part due to competition from other on-demand movie services such as Netflix, and to change Cinemax's image from a channel mostly known for its softcore pornographic series and movies. The channel's adult programming will remain, however, continuing to appear on its late night schedule.

Channels

Cinemax operates eight multiplex channels. All channels (with the exception of Wmax) have separate "East/West" feeds for the Eastern and Central time zones and Pacific and Mountain time zones of the United States, respectively. Cinemax also packages the East and West feeds of the primary and multiplex channels together, allowing viewers a second chance to watch the same program three hours later or earlier depending on their geographic location (for West Coast viewers, this gives viewers a chance to see a program as it airs on the East Coast before it airs on the West Coast feed).

List of channels

''ActionMax redirects here. For the 1980s video game system, see Action Max.''

In 1991, HBO and Cinemax became the first premium services to offer multiplexed services to cable customers as companions to the main network, offering multiplex services of HBO and Cinemax to three TeleCable systems in Racine, Wisconsin, Overland Park, Kansas, and Richardson and Plano, Texas. A year later, research from Nielsen Media Research showed that multiplex delivery of HBO and Cinemax had positive impact on subscriber usage and attitudes, including subscribers’ retention of pay cable subscriptions. Cinemax 2 was launched as a multiplex channel, launching on these three systems.

Cinemax currently operates eight multiplex channels:

Cinemax: The main "flagship" feed; blockbuster movies, first-run films, favorite movies and erotica; premieres new movies on Saturday nights at 10 p.m. ET as part of "See It Saturday", and broadcasts a featured movie Sunday through Fridays at 10 p.m. ET.

MoreMax: a secondary channel with similar content to Cinemax, also includes foreign films, indie flicks and arthouse releases; broadcasts a featured movie every night at 9 p.m. ET; originally known as "Cinemax 2" from 1991 until 1998.

ActionMax: Action movies including blockbusters, westerns, war pictures and martial arts films; features "Heroes at 8", a featured action movie nightly at 8 p.m. ET; originally known as "Cinemax 3" from 1995 to 1998.

ThrillerMax: Mystery, suspense, horror and thriller movies; features "When the Clock Strikes 10", a different featured mystery, suspense or thriller, nightly at 10 p.m. ET; launched in 1998.

@Max: Targeted to the 18-34 demographic, features contemporary films, movies with an attitude exemplified and films with unique ideas; features a choice movie every night at 11 p.m. ET; launched in 2001. OuterMax: Sci-fi, horror and fantasy films; features "Graveyard Shift", a featured sci-fi or horror movie every night at 12 a.m. ET; launched in 2001. Wmax: Targeted at women, features dramas, mysteries and classic romance pictures; broadcasts a featured movie appealing to women every night at 10 p.m. ET.; launched in 2001. One of only two Cinemax channels that does not air Max After Dark content. 5StarMax: Modern classics, featuring award-winning films and timeless treasures; broadcasts a featured classic every night at 9 p.m. ET; launched in 2001. One of only two Cinemax channels that does not air Max After Dark content.

The Cinemax Multiplex was known as "MultiMax" for several years, but now has no "official" name. However, HBO and Cinemax's respective multiplex packages are referred collectively as the "HBO/MAX Pak". Subscribers of DirecTV, Dish Network and some cable providers can get the Cinemax networks without subscribing to HBO, though most cable providers offer the two services and their respective multiplexes as a single package.

Other services

Cinemax HD

All eight Cinemax multiplex channels are simulcast in 1080i high definition, and the flagship network began transmitting its programming exclusively in high definition on September 1, 2008. Cinemax HD is available on Dish Network, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Comcast, AT&T; U-verse, Verizon FiOS and other major cable providers, although few providers offer all eight multiplex channels in HD.

Cinemax On Demand

Cinemax On Demand is the video-on-demand counterpart to Cinemax. It offers movies, original series and special features previously seen on the network. It is available on most cable and satellite providers at no additional cost to subscribers of Cinemax.

Max Go

On September 13, 2010, Cinemax launched Max Go, a website which features 700 hours of content available for streaming in standard or high definition, at no additional charge to Cinemax subscribers. Content includes feature films, documentaries, and late night adult programming featured on Cinemax's Max After Dark block. It is available to Cinemax subscribers of AT&T; Uverse, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Suddenlink Communications, and Charter Communications. The Max Go iPhone, iPad, and Android app was released on August 11, 2011.

Programming

Movie library

, Cinemax (through sister network HBO) has exclusive deals with DreamWorks Animation, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios, Rogue Pictures, Focus Features, and network sister companies New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures (which are both owned by the Warner Bros. Entertainment subsidiary of Cinemax corporate parent Time Warner).

Cinemax (through HBO) also shows sub-runs (runs of films that have already received broadcast network/syndicated television releases) of theatrical films from Paramount Pictures (usually those released prior to 1997), Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group (including Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax), Sony Pictures Entertainment (including Columbia Pictures and TriStar Pictures), Twentieth Century Fox (select films from all five studios are shared with Starz and Encore), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, DreamWorks Pictures (those made prior to the 2010 shift of film distribution rights from Paramount to Touchstone Pictures), and Lionsgate Entertainment.

Usually films which HBO has pay-cable rights to will also run on Cinemax during the period of its term of license, although some feature films from the aforementioned studios that Cinemax and HBO have broadcast rights to make their premium television debut on Cinemax several weeks before its premiere on HBO.

Cinemax had for some time continued to air films from the 1950s, '60s and '70s in the morning hours, but these movies for the most part have since been relegated to MoreMax and 5StarMax. Cinemax rarely airs G-rated films during the morning hours, instead opting to air R, PG-13 or PG rated films. Max also produces documentary programming under the banner ''Max Reel Life''. Cinemax has also ran since 1992, an annual film festival called ''The Summer of 1000 Movies'', in which the channel claims to run 1000 films (many with a similar subject) over the course of each summer.

Original programming

Max After Dark

Max After Dark is a late night adult programming block featuring original softcore erotic films, and original softcore comedy and drama series; there are no set start or end times for the block, as they vary depending on the mainstream feature films that precede it and which programs are scheduled to air within the block. The main Cinemax channel generally does not air any adult programming before 11:30 p.m. ET, a policy enacted by the network in 1993. All programs featured in the block are given a "TV-MA" or "R" rating, primarily for nudity, and simulated intercourse or other simulated sexual acts. The block originally debuted on May 4, 1984 as a once-a-week block called "Cinemax Friday After Dark"; by the late 1990s, these adult programs were expanded to seven-night-a-week airings.

The original series that currently air first-run episodes are ''Co-Ed Confidential'', ''Forbidden Science'', ''Zane's Sex Chronicles'', ''Lingerie'', ''Life on Top'' and ''Femme Fatales''; with another series, ''Chemistry'', reportedly in production. Adult films also typically air alongside the adult series, though depending on the Cinemax multiplex channel and which programs are scheduled that night on each channel, this may not always be the case. The program block has often been the subject of both scrutiny in the media and a source of humor in popular culture, with references to Cinemax's late night programming having been featured in various films and TV shows. Because of the block's presence, Cinemax is most commonly given the jocular nickname outside the network, "Skinemax".

Adult programming is not limited solely to the main Cinemax network: MoreMax also airs adult movies and series, sometimes airing an hour earlier than the main Cinemax channel would allow, airing at times as early as 10:30 p.m. ET; ActionMax, ThrillerMax and OuterMax also occasionally feature some adult films featured on the "Max After Dark" block, despite the fact that those channels are genre-based multiplex services and not all softcore adult films and series featured on Max After Dark fit those networks' respective formats. Wmax and 5StarMax generally do not run adult films of any kind due to those channels' respective formats: Wmax is aimed at women, while 5StarMax features a format of largely critically acclaimed, mainstream feature films. Some of the adult films featured on the Max After Dark block also air late nights on sister channel HBO Zone, which is the only HBO channel to feature pornographic film content.

Mainstream original programming

On August 12, 2011, Cinemax expanded its original programming content outside of the Max After Dark programming, with the addition of action-oriented series targeted at males 18-49, to its primetime schedule; on that date, Cinemax debuted its first mainstream original program, the British action series ''Strike Back''. Scheduled to premiere in 2012 are ''Transporter: The Series'' and ''The Sector''.

Branding

Cinemax's original 1980 logo featured the channel's name with first letter in mixed case letters in Avant Garde typeface on a semi-circular rectangle; the "Coming Up Next" bumpers and graphics were similar to parent network HBO's graphics of the concurring time. In 1985, the channel adopted a new logo rendered in lowercase italicized Universe Condensed type with each letter on a slanted square sized to fit each letter. Variants of the logo used different coloring, and updated "Coming Up Next" bumpers between 1985 and 1997; this logo was used in print ads and during bumpers for a short time while the original 1980 opening bumpers were used, before a new feature presentation opener was added in the fall of 1985. In 1997, the network rebranded and implemented a logo rendered in lowercase Impact type with a circle placed behind the 'max' (as with Showtime's highlighting of 'SHO' in their logo, the use of 'MAX' as the logo focal point comes from the channel's former TV Guide abbreviation in the magazine's local listings era). Slight modifications of the logo's coloring were made during this period; the logo was often shown with just the circle 'max'.

In February 2008, a new sparse and bare branding campaign was introduced, with voiceovers for movie promotions and ratings bumpers fully withdrawn from all Cinemax networks. The promotions featured Adult Swim-style introductions with white text on black screens, while 'up next' screens just featured the film name and stars with only sound effects and small snippets of music playing instead of full interstitial music. All channel logos were redesigned -- and most notably, the main Cinemax channel became visually referred to as simply "max", though in some ads, cast members from the network's "After Dark" series continued to refer the network vocally as Cinemax, and ads promoting Cinemax outside the channel continued to use the original 1997 logo design (though a variant without the circle behind the 'max' was used from 2010 to 2011).

In August 2011, Cinemax introduced a new logo in line with promotional efforts for ''Strike Back'', with a diagonal-cut yellow line with uppercase black "CINEMAX" lettering; only the "MAX" portion is used for Cinemax on Demand and Max Go (for both services, a tilted black box is added next to the yellow/black "MAX" to fit either "OD" [for "on demand"] or "GO"), along with the linear multiplex channels (for the multiplex channels, the prefix titles for each channel are added before it with no line treatment). It was originally unveiled in on-air promos for its upcoming original programming, on its Facebook and Twitter accounts and on its YouTube channel in May 2011. The official and Max Go websites continued to use the 2008 version of the 1997 logo until August 11, 2011, when the two sites got an extensive redesign.

Network slogans

1980–1982: ''The 24-Hour Movie Network'' 1982–1983: ''We Are Your Movie Star'' 1983–1984: ''Our Difference is Our Movies'' 1984–1986: ''We Take You to the Stars'' 1986–1989: ''Entertainment to the Max'' 1988–1989: ''See the Light, See Cinemax'' 1989–1991: ''More Movies, More Choice''

1989–1997: ''Cinemax, The Most Movies on Pay TV'' (used as a secondary slogan)

1991–1993: ''Cinemax, If You Like Movies''

1993–1997: ''The Best Network for Movies on TV''

1997–2000: ''The Movie Service for the Movie Fan''

2000–2003: ''Best! Most! Max!''

2003–2008: ''Take It to the Movies''

2008–2011: ''Take It to the Max''

2011–present: ''We Are Your Movie Channel''

International versions

In Latin America, the channel is controlled by the HBO Latin America Group. A sister channel, "Max Prime", is also available. In 2010, the premium Cinemax channel was converted into an ad-supported basic cable movie channel, while two new premium channels (Max and Max HD) followed Cinemax's league by airing independent films, European movies, etc. A European version of Cinemax is known as Cinemax 2.

References

External links

Cinemax Europe (Hungarian-language)

Cinemax Latin America (Spanish-language)

Cinemax Asia

Category:HBO Category:Cinemax Category:Time Warner subsidiaries Category:Commercial-free television networks Category:Television channels and stations established in 1980 Category:Movie channels Category:Cable TV of Hong Kong

cs:Cinemax es:Cinemax fr:Cinemax hr:Cinemax id:Max TV hu:Cinemax ms:Cinemax nl:Cinemax pl:Cinemax pt:Cinemax ro:Cinemax sk:Cinemax fi:Cinemax zh:Cinemax tr:Cinemax

birth name	Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal
birth date	December 19, 1980
birth place	Los Angeles, California
occupation	Actor
years active	1991–present
parents	Stephen GyllenhaalNaomi Foner Gyllenhaal
relatives	Maggie Gyllenhaal (sister) }}

Jacob Benjamin "Jake" Gyllenhaal ( ; born December 19, 1980) is an American actor. The son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Gyllenhaal began acting at age ten. He has appeared in diverse roles since his first lead role in 1999's ''October Sky'', followed by the 2001 indie cult hit ''Donnie Darko'', in which he played a psychologically troubled teen and onscreen brother to his real-life sister, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. In the 2004 science-fiction film ''The Day After Tomorrow'' he portrayed a student caught in a cataclysmic global cooling event, alongside Dennis Quaid as his father. He then played against type as a frustrated Marine in ''Jarhead'' (2005). The same year, he garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor as Jack Twist in the film ''Brokeback Mountain'' opposite Heath Ledger.

Gyllenhaal has promoted various political and social causes. He has appeared in Rock the Vote advertising, campaigned for the Democratic Party in the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, promoted environmental causes, and campaigned on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Early life and education

Gyllenhaal was born in Los Angeles, the son of film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and film producer and screenwriter Naomi Foner (née Achs). Maggie Gyllenhaal, his older sister and also an actress, appeared with Jake in the movie ''Donnie Darko''. Gyllenhaal's father was raised in the Swedenborgian religion and is a descendant of the Swedish noble Gyllenhaal family. His last native Swedish ancestor was his great-great-grandfather, Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal. Jake Gyllenhaal's mother is from a Jewish family from New York City, and Gyllenhaal has said that he considers himself "more Jewish than anything else." On his 13th birthday, Gyllenhaal performed a "barmitzvah-like act, without the typical trappings", volunteering at a homeless shelter, because his parents wanted to instill in him a sense of gratitude for his privileged lifestyle. His parents insisted that he have summer jobs to support himself, and he thus worked as a lifeguard and as a busboy at a restaurant operated by a family friend.

Acting career

Early career

During childhood, Gyllenhaal had regular exposure to filmmaking due to his family's deep ties to the industry. As an 11-year-old he made his acting debut as Billy Crystal's son in the 1991 comedy film ''City Slickers''. His parents did not allow him to appear in the 1992 film ''The Mighty Ducks'' because it would have required him leaving home for two months. In subsequent years, his parents allowed him to audition for parts, but regularly forbade him to take them if he were chosen. He was allowed to appear in his father's films several times. Gyllenhaal appeared in the 1993 film ''A Dangerous Woman'' (along with sister Maggie); in "Bop Gun" a 1994 episode of ''Homicide: Life on the Street''; and in the 1998 comedy ''Homegrown''. Along with their mother, Jake and Maggie appeared in two episodes of ''Molto Mario'', an Italian cooking show on the Food Network. Prior to his senior year in high school, the only other film not directed by his father in which Gyllenhaal was allowed to perform was the 1993 film ''Josh and S.A.M.'', a little-known children's adventure.

Gyllenhaal graduated from the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles in 1998, then attended Columbia University, where his sister was a senior and from which his mother had graduated, to study Eastern religions and philosophy. Gyllenhaal dropped out after two years to concentrate on acting, but has expressed intentions to eventually finish his degree. Gyllenhaal's first lead role was in ''October Sky'', Joe Johnston's 1999 adaptation of the Homer Hickam autobiography ''Rocket Boys'', in which he portrayed a young man from West Virginia striving to win a science scholarship to avoid becoming a coal miner. The film earned $32 million and was described in the ''Sacramento News and Review'' as Gyllenhaal's "breakout performance."

From ''Donnie Darko'' to the London stage

''Donnie Darko'', Gyllenhaal's second major film, was not a box office success upon its initial 2001 release, but eventually became a cult favorite. The film, directed by Richard Kelly, is set in 1988 and stars Gyllenhaal as a troubled teenager who, after narrowly escaping death, experiences visions of a 6 foot (1.8 m) tall rabbit named Frank who tells him that the world is coming to an end. Gyllenhaal's performance was well-received by critics; Gary Mairs of Culture Vulture wrote that "Gyllenhaal manages the difficult trick of seeming both blandly normal and profoundly disturbed, often within the same scene."

After the critical success of ''Donnie Darko'', Gyllenhaal's next role was as Pilot Kelston in 2002's ''Highway'' alongside Jared Leto. His performance was described by one critic as "silly, cliched and straight to video." Gyllenhaal had more success starring opposite Jennifer Aniston in ''The Good Girl'', which premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; he also starred in ''Lovely & Amazing'' with Catherine Keener. In both films he plays an unstable character who begins a reckless affair with an older woman. Gyllenhaal later described these as "teenager in transition" roles. Gyllenhaal later starred in the Touchstone Pictures romantic comedy ''Bubble Boy'', which was loosely based on the story of David Vetter. The film portrays the title character's adventures as he pursues the love of his life before she marries the wrong man. The film was panned by critics, with one calling it an "empty-headed, chaotic, utterly tasteless atrocity".

Following ''Bubble Boy'', Gyllenhaal starred opposite Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon and Ellen Pompeo in ''Moonlight Mile'', as a young man coping with the death of his fiancée and the grief of her parents. The story, which received mixed reviews, is loosely based on writer/director Brad Silberling's personal experiences following the murder of girlfriend Rebecca Schaeffer.

Gyllenhaal was almost cast as Spider-Man for ''Spider-Man 2'' due to director Sam Raimi's concerns about original ''Spider-Man'' star Tobey Maguire's health. Maguire recovered, however, and the sequel was shot without Gyllenhaal. Instead, Gyllenhaal starred in the blockbuster ''The Day After Tomorrow'' in 2004, co-starring Dennis Quaid as his father.

In his theatrical debut Gyllenhaal starred on the London stage in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of ''This is Our Youth''. Gyllenhaal said, "Every actor I look up to has done theatre work, so I knew I had to give it a try." The play, which had been a critical sensation on Broadway, ran for eight weeks in London's West End. Gyllenhaal received favorable critical reviews and an Evening Standard Theatre Award in the category "Outstanding Newcomer."

''Brokeback Mountain'' and subsequent roles

2005 was a prolific year for Gyllenhaal, who starred in the critically praised films ''Proof'', ''Jarhead'', and ''Brokeback Mountain''. In ''Proof'', featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins, Gyllenhaal played a graduate student in mathematics who tries to convince Paltrow's character to publish a revolutionary proof to a problem puzzling the mathematicians' community. In ''Jarhead'', Gyllenhaal played against his usual "sensitive yet disturbed" type by displaying an aggressive masculinity as a violent U.S. Marine during the first Gulf War. He also auditioned to be Batman for one of the biggest blockbusters ''Batman Begins'' and came close to getting the role but Christian Bale was ultimately chosen for it.

In ''Brokeback Mountain'', Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger play young men who meet as sheep herders and embark upon a sexual relationship that begins in the summer of 1963 and lasts for 20 years. The film was often referred to in the media with the shorthand phrase "the gay cowboy movie," though there was differing opinion on the sexual orientation of the characters. The film won the Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film went on to win four Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, and three Academy Awards. Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his performance, but lost to George Clooney for ''Syriana''. Gyllenhaal also won the Best Supporting Actor BAFTA for the same role and received a Best Supporting Actor nomination and Best Film Ensemble nomination from the Screen Actors Guild. Also for ''Brokeback Mountain'', he and Ledger won an MTV Movie Award for "Best Kiss" in 2006. Shortly after the 2006 Academy Awards, Gyllenhaal was invited to join the Academy in recognition of his acting career. Gyllenhaal was awarded the 2006 Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence by The Americans for the Arts National Arts Awards for his role.

Gyllenhaal expressed mixed feelings about the experience of being directed by Ang Lee in ''Brokeback Mountain'', but generally had more praise than criticism for Lee's directing style. While complaining of the way Lee tended to disconnect with his actors once filming began, Gyllenhaal praised his encouraging direction of the actors and sensitive approach to the material. At the Directors Guild of America Awards on January 28, 2006, Gyllenhaal also praised Lee for "his humbleness and his respect for everyone around him."

When asked about his kissing scenes with Heath Ledger in ''Brokeback Mountain'', Gyllenhaal said, "As an actor, I think we need to embrace the times we feel most uncomfortable." When asked about the more intimate scenes with Ledger, Gyllenhaal likened them to "doing a sex scene with a woman I'm not particularly attracted to."}}

Gyllenhaal narrated the 2005 short animated film ''The Man Who Walked Between the Towers'', based on Mordicai Gerstein's book of the same name about Philippe Petit's famous stunt. In January 2007, as host of ''Saturday Night Live'', he put on a sparkly evening dress and sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical ''Dreamgirls'' for his opening monologue, dedicating the song to his "unique fan base... the fans of ''Brokeback''."

In 2007, Gyllenhaal starred in David Fincher's ''Zodiac'', which was based on a true story. He played Robert Graysmith, a ''San Francisco Chronicle'' cartoonist and author of two books about the Zodiac serial killer. Gyllenhaal starred opposite Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin, and Reese Witherspoon in the October 2007 release ''Rendition'', a Gavin Hood-directed political thriller about the U.S. policy of extraordinary rendition. In 2009, he appeared with Tobey Maguire in Jim Sheridan's remake of Susanne Bier's 2004 Danish language film ''Brothers''. The following year Gyllenhaal played the lead role in the movie adaptation of the video game ''Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time'', produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and released by Disney on May 28, 2010.

His upcoming roles include the comedy ''Nailed'', which he filmed in South Carolina with Jessica Biel, and Doug Liman's as yet untitled film about the race for lunar colonization.

Personal life

Family and relationships

:''For more on Gyllenhaal's paternal ancestors, see Gyllenhaal family'' The son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, Gyllenhaal's immediate family includes his sister, actress Maggie, who is married to actor Peter Sarsgaard, Gyllenhaal's co-star in ''Jarhead'' and ''Rendition''. In December 2006, Jake and his sister escaped a fire that destroyed Manka's, a famed lodge and restaurant in Inverness, California, at which they were vacationing. Gyllenhaal's niece, Ramona Sarsgaard, was born on October 3, 2006. Jamie Lee Curtis is Gyllenhaal's godmother, and he has repeatedly referred to his godfathers being a gay couple. Gyllenhaal himself is the godfather of Matilda Rose Ledger (born October 28, 2005), daughter of Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams, both of whom co-starred with him in ''Brokeback Mountain''.

Gyllenhaal dated actress Kirsten Dunst for nearly two years starting in 2002. He later dated his ''Rendition'' co-star Reese Witherspoon from about 2007 to 2009.

Politics and other interests

Gyllenhaal is politically active. He shot a commercial for Rock the Vote, and along with his sister, visited the University of Southern California to encourage students to vote during the 2004 U.S. Election. He also campaigned for Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry. He has said, however, that "it frustrates me when actors talk politics; I'm political and I make choices in my movies that I think are political. I try and say things with what I do. Rightly or wrongly, young actors have all the power." In an interview for ''Rendition'', he remarked that "it's a sad time when actors are politicians and politicians are actors."

Raised in a family concerned with social issues, in 2003 Gyllenhaal participated in an advertising campaign by the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization his entire family strongly supports. Environmentally conscious, he recycles regularly, and said in an interview that he spends $400 a year to have trees planted in a Mozambique forest, partly to promote the Future Forests program. After filming ''The Day After Tomorrow'', he flew to the Arctic to promote awareness of climate change.

In his spare time, Gyllenhaal enjoys woodworking and cooking. He has said, "I am not a card-carrying Buddhist, but I do try to practice mindfulness" and it is his goal to meditate every day.

Gyllenhaal has signed on to help the TV fundraiser Stand Up To Cancer.

Media image

Internationally viewed as a sex symbol, Gyllenhaal was named one of ''People'' magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2006. He was also listed in ''People's'' "Hottest Bachelors of 2006". In response to mainstream press lists like these, thousands of gay and bisexual men were polled for the 2007 and 2008 "AfterElton.com Hot 100 List." Gyllenhaal was ranked at No.1 in both consecutive years. He was ranked at No.2 on the ''Gay Wired Magazine'' poll of male actors who have played gay characters in movies.

Filmography

+ Film
! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1991	''City Slickers''	Danny Robbins
1993	''Josh and S.A.M.''	Leon
1993	''''	Edward	as Jacob Gyllenhaal
1998		Jake/Blue Kahan
1999	''October Sky''
2001	''Donnie Darko''	Donald J. "Donnie" Darko
2001	''Bubble Boy''	Jimmy Livingston
2001	''Lovely & Amazing''	Jordan
2002		Pilot Kelson
2002		Joe Nast
2002	''''	Thomas 'Holden' Worther
2003		Himself	Cameo
2004	''''	Sam Hall
2005	''Brokeback Mountain''	Jack Twist
2005
2005		Harold 'Hal' Dobbs
2007		Robert Graysmith
2007		Douglas Freeman
2009		Tommy Cahill
2010
2010	''Love and Other Drugs''	Jamie Randall
2011	''Source Code''	Colter Stevens

Accolades

! Year	! Group	! Award	! Result	! Work
2002	Young Hollywood Awards	Breakthrough Performance – Male		''Donnie Darko''
2002	Independent Spirit Awards			''Donnie Darko''
2003				''Donnie Darko''
2003	DVD Exclusive Awards	DVD Premiere Award – Best Actor
2003	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Breakout Star – Male		''The Good Girl''
2005	National Board of Review			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	MTV Movie Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	MTV Movie Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Screen Actors Guild Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Screen Actors Guild Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006				''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	BAFTA Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Palm Springs International Film Festival	Achievement – Actor Award		''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Academy Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Satellite Awards			''Brokeback Mountain''
2006	Satellite Awards
2006		Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence
2008	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Actor – Drama
2010	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Actor – Fantasy
2010	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie Actor – Drama
2010	Golden Globe Award			''Love and Other Drugs''

References

External links

Category:1980 births Category:Actors from Los Angeles, California Category:American people of Swedish descent Category:American child actors Category:American film actors Category:American Jews Category:American stage actors Category:American television actors Category:BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor Category:BAFTA winners (people) Category:California Democrats Category:Columbia University alumni Category:Jewish actors Category:Living people

ar:جيك جيلنهال bcl:Jake Gyllenhaal bg:Джейк Джиленхол ca:Jake Gyllenhaal cs:Jake Gyllenhaal co:Jake Gyllenhaal cy:Jake Gyllenhaal da:Jake Gyllenhaal de:Jake Gyllenhaal et:Jake Gyllenhaal el:Τζέικ Τζίλενχαλ es:Jake Gyllenhaal fa:جیک جیلنهال fr:Jake Gyllenhaal ga:Jake Gyllenhaal gv:Jake Gyllenhaal gl:Jake Gyllenhaal ko:제이크 질렌할 hy:Ջեյք Ջիլլենհոլ hr:Jake Gyllenhaal id:Jake Gyllenhaal it:Jake Gyllenhaal he:ג'ייק ג'ילנהול ka:ჯეიკ ჯილენჰოლი la:Iacobus Beniamin Gyllenhaal lv:Džeiks Džilenhāls hu:Jake Gyllenhaal mn:Жэйк Жилленхол nl:Jake Gyllenhaal ja:ジェイク・ジレンホール no:Jake Gyllenhaal pl:Jake Gyllenhaal pt:Jake Gyllenhaal ro:Jake Gyllenhaal ru:Джилленхол, Джейк sq:Jake Gyllenhaal simple:Jake Gyllenhaal sk:Jake Gyllenhaal sl:Jake Gyllenhaal sr:Џејк Џиленхол sh:Jake Gyllenhaal fi:Jake Gyllenhaal sv:Jake Gyllenhaal tl:Jake Gyllenhaal th:เจค จิลเลินฮาล tr:Jake Gyllenhaal uk:Джейк Джилленголл vi:Jake Gyllenhaal zh:杰克·吉林哈尔

name	Amber Smith
birth date	March 02, 1971
birth place	Tampa, Florida, United States
height
haircolor	Blonde
eyecolor	Grey
measurements	(US) 34-25-36(EU) 86.5-63-91
dress size	(US) 6(EU) 36
shoesize	(US) 8(EU) 40
website	http://www.ambersmith.com }}

Amber Smith (born March 2, 1971) is an American actress and former model.

Early life

The daughter of professional American football player Russ Smith and Carol Smith, Smith started modeling by age 16. As a teenager she traveled to Paris, France, where she worked as a model throughout Europe for four years. Her breakthrough came when her naturally blonde hair was dyed red, giving her a strong resemblance to 1940s and '50s movie star Rita Hayworth.

Career

Modeling

Smith appeared in back-to-back issues of the ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue'', and became ''Esquire'' magazine's first Vargas Girl of the 1990s. She also became the first model of the Wonderbra campaign. She later posed for photographer Helmut Newton for a Wolford advertising campaign, and was the model for the 2002 lingerie campaign for Venus Victoria, the European sister company to Victoria's Secret.

Smith has appeared on the covers of the fashion magazines and women's magazines ''Vogue'', ''Elle'', ''Cosmopolitan'' and ''Marie Claire'', among others, and was the cover girl for the March 1995 issue of ''Playboy''. She has appeared in advertising for L'Oréal makeup, Buffalo Jeans, Camel cigarettes, Kahlúa liqueur, Volkswagen automobiles, and Panama Jack, among others, and has walked the runway for such fashion designers as Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Acting

Smith was cast in her first film role in Paul Mazursky's ''Faithful'', on a referral from Robert DeNiro that stemmed from her ''Casino'' auditions. She also appeared in ''The Funeral'', directed by Abel Ferrara, and Barbra Streisand's ''The Mirror Has Two Faces''. She played Susan Lefferts, a Rita Hayworth lookalike, in Curtis Hanson's ''L.A. Confidential''. Smith's resemblance to Hayworth came into play again with a role in HBO's cable telefilm ''The Rat Pack''. She also had a role in ''American Beauty''. Her biggest role to date has been as the star of the Cinemax TV series ''Sin City Diaries'', which debuted in 2007. She played Angelica, a Las Vegas entertainment consultant who plans activities for casinos' high-roller guests. Overall, she has played various roles in several 1990's feature films and television series. Since 2000, she has appeared primarily in films.

Reality television appearances

Smith appeared as a cast member during the second season of the VH1 television show ''Celebrity Rehab'', which depicted her 16-year struggle with opiate and alcohol addiction. She subsequently appeared in the 2009 series ''Sober House'', a ''Celebrity Rehab'' spin-off focusing on a sober living environment. She subsequently appeared in the 2009 VH1 series ''Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew''. During these appearances, she recounted hers and her mother's histories with addiction and co-dependency, which began when Smith was a teenager, and how her experiences with date rape and prostitution played a part in those addictions.

That same year, Smith and other alumni of ''Celebrity Rehab'' appeared as panel speakers to a new group of addicts at the Pasadena Recovery Center. Her appearance, which marked a year and a half of sobriety for her, was aired in the third season episode "Triggers".

Personal life

In a January ''TV Guide'' story on ''Celebrity Rehab'', Dr. Drew Pinsky stated she was living with her mother in Los Angeles, and "doing stupendous work...She's someone who reaches out and is an inspiration and of service to other patients."

Legal matters

Smith's name surfaced in connection with the January 2008 bankruptcy of the entertainment payroll firm Axium. A lawsuit alleged the company's partners misused funds by renting a Los Angeles, California apartment for Smith, paying for her car and issuing "numerous large payments" to Smith, which they explained by calling her a "consultant" to the company.

Filmography

Film
! Year	! Film	! Role	! Notes
	''Faithful''	Debbie
''The Funeral''	Bridgette
''The Mirror Has Two Faces''	Felicia on video
	''Laws of Deception''	Elise Talbot
''Lowball''	Paula
''Sleeping Together''	Cathy
''Red Shoe Diaries 7: Burning Up''	Alia	Segment: "Runway"
	Julie
''L.A. Confidential''	Susan Lefferts
''Def Jam's How to Be a Player''	Amber
1998	''Mars''	Sheila
1999		Christy Kane
	''Deception''	Vanessa Rio
''The Midnight Hour''	Alex	Alternative titles: ''In the Midnight Hour'' & ''Tell Me No Lies''
''Dirk and Betty''	Beautiful Canyon Girl
	''Reasonable Doubt''	Charlie	Alternative titles: ''Crime Scene'' & ''The Baptist''
	Gorgeous Redhead
''How High''	Professor Garr
2002	''New Suit''	Jennifer
2003		Lady in White
Television
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
1992	''Inferno''		Television movie
1993–1995	''Red Shoe Diaries''	The Model	2 episodes
		Rachel	1 episode
''Friends''	Maria the Gym Lady
	''The Rat Pack''	Broad at casino	Television movie
	Davina
	Diane Verne	1 episode
1999	''Silk Stalkings''	Virginia	2 episodes
2007	''Sin City Diaries''	Angelica	13 episodes
2010		Giovanna	13 episodes

References

External links

Amber Smith official site

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:American prostitutes Category:American television actors Category:American film actors Category:American female models Category:People from Tampa, Florida Category:Actors from Florida Category:Participants in American reality television series

de:Amber Smith fr:Amber Smith ro:Amber Smith

Name	Michelle Pfeiffer
Birth name	Michelle Marie Pfeiffer
Birth date	April 29, 1958
Birth place	Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Years active	1978–present
Occupation	Actress, singer
Spouse	Peter Horton (1981–1988)David E. Kelley (1993–present)
Children	2
Relatives	Dedee Pfeiffer (sister) }}

Michelle Marie Pfeiffer (; born April 29, 1958) is an American actress. She made her film debut in 1980 in ''The Hollywood Knights'', but first garnered mainstream attention with her performance in Brian De Palma's ''Scarface'' (1983). Pfeiffer has won numerous awards for her work. She received six consecutive Golden Globe Award nominations, winning the Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama award in 1990 for ''The Fabulous Baker Boys''. She also won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for ''Dangerous Liaisons'', and the Silver Bear for Best Actress for ''Love Field'', and has been nominated for three Academy Awards for the same films.

Pfeiffer rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s with critically acclaimed performances in the films ''Dangerous Liaisons'' (1988), ''Married to the Mob'' (1988), ''The Fabulous Baker Boys'' (1989), ''The Russia House'' (1990), ''Frankie and Johnny'' (1991), ''Love Field'' (1992), ''Batman Returns'' (1992), and ''The Age of Innocence'' (1993).

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 6, 2007. The star is located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard.

Early life

Pfeiffer was born in Santa Ana, California, the second of four children of Richard Pfeiffer, a heating and air-conditioning contractor, and Donna (née Taverna), a homemaker. She has one elder brother, Rick, and two younger sisters, Dedee Pfeiffer, a television and film actress, and Lori Pfeiffer. Her father was of Dutch, German, and Irish descent, and her mother was of Swiss and Swedish ancestry. The family moved to Midway City, where Pfeiffer spent her childhood. She attended Fountain Valley High School, graduating in 1978. She worked as a check-out girl at Vons supermarket, and attended Golden West College. After a short stint training to be a court stenographer, she decided upon an acting career. She won the Miss Orange County beauty pageant in 1978, and participated in Miss California the same year, finishing in sixth position. Following her participation in these pageants, she acquired an acting agent and began to audition for television and films.

Film career

First television and film appearances

Pfeiffer's early acting appearances included television roles in ''Fantasy Island'', ''Delta House'' and ''BAD Cats'', and small film roles in ''Falling in Love Again'' (1980) with Susannah York, ''The Hollywood Knights'' (1980) opposite Tony Danza, and ''Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen'' (1981), none of which met with much critical or box office success. Pfeiffer later said of her early screen work: "I needed to learn how to act... in the meantime, I was playing bimbos and cashing in on my looks." She appeared in a television commercial for Lux soap, and took acting lessons at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, before appearing in three further television movies – ''Callie and Son'' (1981) with Lindsay Wagner, ''The Children Nobody Wanted'' (1981), and a remake of ''Splendor in the Grass''. She then landed her first major film role as Stephanie Zinone in ''Grease 2'' (1982), the sequel to the smash-hit musical ''Grease'' (1978). The film was a critical and commercial failure, although Pfeiffer herself received some positive attention, notably from the ''New York Times'', which said "although she is a relative screen newcomer, Miss Pfeiffer manages to look much more insouciant and comfortable than anyone else in the cast." Despite escaping the critical mauling, Pfeiffer's agent later admitted that her association with the film meant that "she couldn't get any jobs. Nobody wanted to hire her."

Mainstream attention

Director Brian De Palma, having seen ''Grease 2'', refused to audition Pfeiffer for ''Scarface'' (1983), but relented upon the producer's insistence. She was cast as cocaine-addicted trophy wife Elvira Hancock. The film was considered excessively violent by most critics, but became a commercial hit and gained a large cult following in subsequent years. Pfeiffer received positive reviews for her supporting turn; Richard Corliss of ''Time Magazine'' wrote, "most of the large cast is fine: Michelle Pfeiffer is better..." while Dominick Dunne, in an article for ''Vanity Fair'' titled "Blonde Ambition", wrote, "[s]he is on the verge of stardom. In the parlance of the industry, she is hot."

Following ''Scarface'', she accepted the roles of Isabeau d'Anjou in Richard Donner's fantasy film ''Ladyhawke'' (1985) opposite Rutger Hauer and Matthew Broderick, Diana in John Landis' comedy ''Into the Night'' (1985) opposite Jeff Goldblum, Faith Healy in Alan Alda's ''Sweet Liberty'' (1986) opposite Michael Caine, and Brenda Landers in a segment of the 1950s sci-fi parody ''Amazon Women on the Moon'' (1987), all of which, despite achieving only modest commercial success, helped to establish her as an actress. She finally scored a major box-office hit as Sukie Ridgemont in the 1987 adaptation of John Updike's novel ''The Witches of Eastwick'', alongside Jack Nicholson, Cher and Susan Sarandon. The film grossed $63,766,510 domestically (equivalent to $}} million in dollars ).

Critical acclaim

Pfeiffer was cast against type, as a murdered gangster's widowed moll on the run, in Jonathan Demme's mafia comedy ''Married to the Mob'' (1988), opposite Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell and Mercedes Ruehl. For the role of Angela de Marco, she donned a curly brunette wig and a Brooklyn accent, and received her first Golden Globe Award nomination as Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, beginning a six-year streak of consecutive Best Actress nominations at the Golden Globes. Pfeiffer then appeared as chic restauranteuse Jo Ann Vallenari in ''Tequila Sunrise'' (1988) opposite Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell, but experienced creative and personal differences with director Robert Towne, who later described her as the "most difficult" actress he has ever worked with.

At Demme's personal recommendation, Pfeiffer joined the cast of Stephen Frears's ''Dangerous Liaisons'' (1988) alongside Glenn Close and John Malkovich, playing the virtuous victim of seduction, Madame Marie de Tourvel. Her performance won her widespread acclaim; Hal Hinson of the ''Washington Post'' saw Pfeiffer's role as "the least obvious and the most difficult. Nothing is harder to play than virtue, and Pfeiffer is smart enough not to try. Instead, she embodies it. Her porcelain-skinned beauty, in this regard, is a great asset, and the way it's used makes it seem an aspect of her spirituality." She won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Pfeiffer then accepted the role of Susie Diamond, a hard-edged former call girl turned lounge singer, in ''The Fabulous Baker Boys'' (1989), which co-starred Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges as the eponymous Baker Boys. She underwent intensive voice training for the role for fourth months, and performed all of her character's vocals. The film was a modest success, grossing $18,428,904 domestically (equivalent to $}} million in dollars ). Pfeiffer's portrayal of Susie, however, drew raves from critics. Janet Maslin, from ''The New York Times'', wrote of the performance "[...]she proves to be electrifyingly right. Introducing Ms. Pfeiffer's furiously hard-boiled, devastatingly gorgeous Susie into the Bakers' world affects the film the way a match might affect a fuse," while Roger Ebert compared her to Rita Hayworth in ''Gilda'' and Marilyn Monroe in ''Some Like It Hot'', and described the film as "one of the movies they will use as a document, years from now, when they begin to trace the steps by which Pfeiffer became a great star." ''Variety'' singled out her performance of 'Makin' Whoopee', writing that Pfeiffer "hits the spot in the film's certain-to-be-remembered highlight... crawling all over a piano in a blazing red dress. She's dynamite." During the 1989–1990 awards season, Pfeiffer dominated the Best Actress category at every major awards ceremony, winning awards at the Golden Globes, the National Board of Review, the National Society of Film Critics, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress and the Chicago Film Critics Association. At the Academy Awards, she was favored to win the Best Actress Oscar, but the award went to Jessica Tandy for ''Driving Miss Daisy'' in what was considered a surprise upset. The only other major acting award for which she was nominated that she did not take home for ''The Fabulous Baker Boys'' was the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which also went to Tandy.

International success

Pfeiffer continued to build on her A-list status in Hollywood, accepting and also turning down many high-profile roles, beginning with the title role in ''Pretty Woman'' (1990), which earned Julia Roberts a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She took the part of the Soviet book editor Katya Orlova in the 1990 film adaptation of John le Carré's ''The Russia House'', opposite Sean Connery, a role that required her to adopt a Russian accent. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. Pfeiffer then landed the role of damaged waitress Frankie in Garry Marshall's ''Frankie and Johnny'' (1991), a film adaptation of Terrence McNally's Broadway play ''Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune'', which reunited her with her ''Scarface'' co-star, Al Pacino. The casting was seen as controversial by many, as Pfeiffer was considered far too beautiful to play an "ordinary" waitress; Kathy Bates, the original Frankie on Broadway, also expressed disappointment over the producers' choice. Pfeiffer herself stated that she took the role because it "wasn't what people would expect of [her]." Pfeiffer was once again nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama for her performance. During this period, she turned down the role of Clarice Starling in ''The Silence of the Lambs'' (1991), which won Jodie Foster the Academy Award for Best Actress, the role of Catherine Tramell in ''Basic Instinct'' (1992), ultimately played by Sharon Stone, and the role of Louise in Ridley Scott's ''Thelma & Louise'', that eventually went to Geena Davis.

Pfeiffer earned an Academy Award nomination for Actress in a Leading Role and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her performance as Lurene Hallett in the nostalgic independent drama ''Love Field'' (1992). The film that had been temporarily shelved by the financially-troubled Orion Pictures. It was finally released in late 1992, in time for Oscar consideration. The ''New York Times'' review wrote of Pfeiffer as "again demonstrating that she is as subtle and surprising as she is beautiful." For her portrayal of the eccentric Dallas housewife, she won the Silver Bear Best Actress award at the Berlin Film Festival.

Pfeiffer took the role of Catwoman (Selina Kyle) in Tim Burton's ''Batman Returns'' (1992) opposite Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito. For the role of Catwoman, she trained in martial arts and kickboxing; one co-star stated that "Michelle had four stunt doubles – but she did all her own whippin'." Peter Travers of ''Rolling Stone'' praised her for giving the "feminist avenger a tough core of intelligence and wit" and called her a "classic dazzler." Premiere retrospectively lauded her performance: "Arguably the outstanding villain of the Tim Burton era, Michelle Pfeiffer's deadly kitten with a whip brought sex to the normally neutered franchise. Her stitched-together, black patent leather costume, based on a sketch of Burton's, remains the character's most iconic look. And Michelle Pfeiffer overcomes ''Batman Returns''' heavy-handed feminist dialogue to deliver a growling, fierce performance." The movie met a big office success, grossing over $103 million worldwide (equivalent to $}} million).

The following year, she played Countess Ellen Olenska in Martin Scorsese's film adaptation of Edith Wharton's ''The Age of Innocence'' (1993) opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder, receiving the Elvira Notari Prize at the Venice Film Festival, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture. That same year she was awarded the Women in Film Los Angeles' Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.

Pfeiffer's subsequent career choices have met with varying degrees of success. After ''The Age of Innocence'', she played the role of Laura Alden opposite Jack Nicholson in ''Wolf'' (1994), a horror film that garnered a mixed critical reception. The ''New York Times'' wrote: "Ms. Pfeiffer's role is underwritten, but her performance is expert enough to make even diffidence compelling". The movie engrossed US$65 million (equivalent to $}} million) in the domestic box office and US$131 million worldwide (equivalent to $}} million). Her next role was that of high school teacher and former US Marine LouAnne Johnson in the surprise box office hit ''Dangerous Minds'' (1995). She appeared as her character in the music video for the soundtrack's lead single, 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio (featuring L.V.), which was used by the producer Jerry Bruckheimer for television advertising. A 60-second version was aired on music channels, while a 30-second cut was aired in the rest of the networks. The song won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, and the video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video. In 1996, she turned down the Golden Globe Award-winning role of Eva Perón in the biopic ''Evita'', which went to Madonna. Pfeiffer then portrayed Sally Atwater in the romantic drama ''Up Close & Personal'' (1996) opposite Robert Redford; the film's screenplay, co-written by husband and wife team John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion, was intended to be a biographical account of the career of news anchor Jessica Savitch, but the final version had almost nothing to do with Savitch's life, leading Dunne to write an exposé of his eight-year battle with the Hollywood producers, ''Monster: Living Off the Big Screen''.

She took the role of Gillian Lewis in ''To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday'' (1996), which was adapted by her husband David Kelley from Michael Brady's play of the same same She served as an executive producer and starred as the divorced single mother architect Melanie Parke in the romantic comedy ''One Fine Day'' (1996) opposite George Clooney, Subsequent performances included Rose Cook Lewis in the film adaptation of Jane Smiley's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ''A Thousand Acres'' (1997) with Jessica Lange and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Beth Cappadora in ''The Deep End of the Ocean'' (1998) about a married couple who found their son who was kidnapped nine years ago, Titania the Queen of the Fairies in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1999) with Kevin Kline, Rupert Everett and Stanley Tucci, and Katie Jordan in Rob Reiner's comedy-drama ''The Story of Us'' (1999) opposite Bruce Willis.

During the 1990s, Pfeiffer attracted comment in the media for her beauty. In 1990, she appeared on the cover of ''People'' magazine's first ''50 Most Beautiful People In The World'' issue. She was again featured on the cover of the annual issue in 1999, having made the "Most Beautiful" list a record six times during the decade (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999). Pfeiffer is the first celebrity to have appeared on the cover of the annual issue twice, and the only person to be featured on the cover twice during the 1990s.

The Hitchcockian thriller ''What Lies Beneath'' (2000) with Harrison Ford, was a commercial success, opening number one at the box office in July 2000. She then accepted the role of highly-strung lawyer Rita Harrison in ''I Am Sam'' (2001) opposite Sean Penn. The movie received unfavorable critics, The ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' wrote: "Pfeiffer, apparently stymied by the bland clichés that prop up her screechy role, delivers her flattest, phoniest performance ever".

For her performance as murderous artist Ingrid Magnussen in ''White Oleander'' (2002), alongside Alison Lohman in her film début, Renée Zellweger and Robin Wright Penn, Pfeiffer garnered a substantial amount of critical praise. Stephen Holden of the ''New York Times'' wrote that "Ms. Pfeiffer, giving the most complex screen performance of her career, makes her Olympian seductress at once irresistible and diabolical." Kenneth Turan of the ''Los Angeles Times'' described her as "incandescent," bringing "power and unshakable will to her role as mother-master manipulator" in a "riveting, impeccable performance." She earned Best Supporting Actress Awards from the San Diego Film Critics Society and the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Pfeiffer also did voice work in two animated films during this period, voicing Tzipporah in ''The Prince of Egypt'' (1998), in which she introduced the Academy Award–winning song, 'When You Believe', and Eris in ''Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas'' (2003).

Return to film

After a four-year hiatus, during which she remained largely out of the public eye to devote time to her husband and children, she turned down the role of the White Witch in the 2005 fantasy film ''The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe'', Pfeiffer returned to the screen in 2007 with villainous roles in two major summer blockbusters, as Velma Von Tussle in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical ''Hairspray'' (2007) with John Travolta, Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah, and as ancient witch Lamia in fantasy adventure ''Stardust'' (2007) opposite Claire Danes, Charlie Cox and Robert De Niro.

Pfeiffer then accepted the roles of Rosie in Amy Heckerling's ''I Could Never Be Your Woman'' (2007) with Paul Rudd and Saoirse Ronan, and Linda in ''Personal Effects'' (2009), which she starred opposite Ashton Kutcher and Kathy Bates, and was premiered at Iowa City's Englert Theatre. Her next film, an adaptation of Colette's ''Chéri'' (2009), reunited her with the director (Stephen Frears) and screenwriter (Christopher Hampton) of ''Dangerous Liaisons'' (1988), a film for which all three were nominees for (and, in Hampton's case, recipient of) an Academy Award. Pfeiffer played the role of Léa de Lonval opposite Rupert Friend in the title role, with Kathy Bates as his mother. ''Chéri'' premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2009, and received a nomination for the Golden Bear award. ''The Times'' of London reviewed the film favorably, describing Hampton's screenplay as a "steady flow of dry quips and acerbic one-liners" and Pfeiffer's performance as "magnetic and subtle, her worldly nonchalance a mask for vulnerability and heartache." Roger Ebert in the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' wrote that it was "fascinating to observe how Pfeiffer controls her face and voice during times of painful hurt." Kenneth Turan in the ''Los Angeles Times'' praised the "wordless scenes that catch Léa unawares, with the camera alone seeing the despair and regret that she hides from the world. It's the kind of refined, delicate acting Pfeiffer does so well, and it's a further reminder of how much we've missed her since she's been away." After another short break from film, it had been announced Pfeiffer has signed up for Garry Marshall's romantic comedy ''New Year's Eve'' (Marshall also directed Pfeiffer in 1991's ''Frankie and Johnny'') as well as Chris Pine's ''Welcome to People.'' She will also appear in an adaptation of former television series ''Dark Shadows'' directed by Tim Burton (who Pfeiffer has previously worked with in 1992's ''Batman Returns'') alongside Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Chloe Moretz, in which she will portray the family Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard.

Theater

In 1989, Pfeiffer made her stage debut in the role of Olivia in ''Twelfth Night'', a New York Shakespeare Festival production staged in Central Park. Other film actors appearing in the play included Jeff Goldblum as Malvolio and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Viola. Frank Rich's review in the ''New York Times'' was extremely critical of the production, stating "Ms. Pfeiffer offers an object lesson in how gifted stars with young careers can be misused by those more interested in exploiting their celebrity status than in furthering their artistic development." Rich praised Pfeiffer's performance in what was then her most recent film, the screwball comedy ''Married to the Mob'', but stating it was "unfortunate that the actress has been asked to make both her stage and Shakespearean comic debut in a role chained to melancholy and mourning."

Personal life

At the start of her career, Pfeiffer met actor Peter Horton at an acting class taught by Milton Katselas in Los Angeles. They married in Santa Monica when Pfeiffer was 22, and it was on their honeymoon that she discovered she had won the lead role in ''Grease 2''. Horton directed Pfeiffer in a 1985 ABC TV special, ''One Too Many'', in which she played the high school girlfriend of an alcoholic student (Val Kilmer); and in 1987, the real-life couple then played an on-screen couple in the 'Hospital' segment of John Landis's comedy skit compilation, ''Amazon Women on the Moon''. However, they decided to separate in 1988, and were divorced two years later; Horton later blamed the split on their devotion to their work rather than their marriage.

In between her marriages to Horton and Kelley, Pfeiffer had a three-year relationship with actor/producer Fisher Stevens. They met when Pfeiffer was starring in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of ''Twelfth Night'', in which Stevens had the part of Sir Andrew Aguecheek.

In 1993, Pfeiffer was set up on a blind date with television writer and producer David E. Kelley, who took her to the movies to see ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'' the following week, and they began dating seriously. They married on November 13, 1993. Since then, she has made an uncredited cameo appearance in one episode of Kelley's television series ''Picket Fences'' and played the title character in ''To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday'', for which Kelley wrote the screenplay. Pfeiffer and Kelley have two children, a daughter named Claudia and a son named John. Pfeiffer, who was by her own admission desperate to start a family, had entered into private adoption proceedings before she met Kelley. Claudia, the biracial baby girl she adopted was born in March 1993. She was christened Claudia Rose in November 1993, the same day that Pfeiffer and Kelley were married. In August 1994, Pfeiffer gave birth to a son, John Henry.

Having being a smoker for ten years and having a niece who suffered from leukemia for ten years, she decided to support the American Cancer Society. Her charity work also includes her support for the Humane Society.

Filmography

! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1980	''''	Suzie Q
1980		Sue Wellington
1981	''Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen''	Cordelia Farenington
1982	''Grease 2''	Stephanie Zinone	Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Motion Picture Actress
1983		Elvira Hancock
1985		Diana
1985	''Ladyhawke''	Isabeau d'Anjou	Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1986	''Sweet Liberty''	Faith Healy
1987	''''	Sukie Ridgemont
1987	''Amazon Women on the Moon''	Brenda Landers
1988	''Married to the Mob''	Angela de Marco	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1988		Jo Ann Vallenari
1988	''Dangerous Liaisons''	Madame Marie de Tourvel	BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting RoleNominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
1989	''''	Susie Diamond	Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture DramaChicago Film Critics Association Award for Best ActressLos Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best ActressNational Board of Review Award for Best ActressNational Society of Film Critics Award for Best ActressNew York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress	Nominated—Academy Award for Best ActressNominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
1990	''''	Katya Orlova	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
1991		Frankie	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1992	''Batman Returns''		Nominated—MTV Movie Awards – Most Desirable Female and Best Kiss (with Michael Keaton)
1992		Lurene Hallett
1993	''''	Countess Ellen Olenska	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
1994		Laura Alden	Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1995	''Dangerous Minds''	LouAnne Johnson
1996	''Muppets Tonight''	Herself	Guest star; first episode
1996	''Up Close & Personal''	Sally 'Tally' Atwater
1996	''To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday''	Gillian Lewis
1996		Melanie Parker	Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress (Comedy/Romance)Executive producer
1997	''''	Rose Cook Lewis	Producer (uncredited)
1998	''''		Voice
1999	''''	Beth Cappadora
1999	''''	Titania
1999	''''	Katie Jordan
2000	''What Lies Beneath''	Claire Spencer	Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress (Suspense)Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
2001	''I Am Sam''	Rita Harrison Williams
2002		Ingrid Magnussen	Kansas City Film Critics Circle Best Supporting ActressSan Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
2003	''Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas''	Eris	Voice
2007			Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
2007		Velma Von Tussle	Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best CastNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Motion Picture
2007	''I Could Never Be Your Woman''	Rosie
2009	''Personal Effects''	Linda
2009		Lea de Lonval
2011		Ingrid
2012	''Welcome to People''	Lillian
2012		Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

+ Television credits	! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1978	''Fantasy Island''	Athena	Episode: "The Island of Lost Women/The Flight of Great Yellow Bird"
1979	''Delta House''	The Bombshell	2 episodes ("Hoover and the Bomb", "The Legacy")
1979	''''	Tricia
1979	''CHiPs''	Jobina	Episode: "The Watch Commander"
1980		Joy	1 episode
1980	''B.A.D. Cats''	Samantha "Sunshine" Jensen
1981	''Fantasy Island''	Deborah Dare	Episode: "Elizabeth's Baby/The Artist and the Lady"
1981	''Callie & Son''	Sue Lynn Bordeaux	credited as Michele Pfeiffer
1981		Ginny Stamper
1981	''''	Jennifer Williams
1985	''One Too Many''	Annie	ABC Afterschool Special
1987	''Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson''	Natica Jackson
1993	''''	Mindy Simmons	Episode: "The Last Temptation of Homer"
1993	''Picket Fences''	Client	Episode: "Freezer Burn"
1996	''Muppets Tonight''	Herself	1 episode

References

External links

Category:1958 births Category:Actors from California Category:American film actors Category:American voice actors Category:BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress Category:Best Drama Actress Golden Globe (film) winners Category:People from Orange County, California Category:American beauty pageant winners Category:American people of Swiss descent Category:American people of German descent Category:American people of Swedish descent Category:American people of Dutch descent Category:American people of Irish descent Category:Living people

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birthname	Amanda Michelle Seyfried
birth date	December 03, 1985
birth place	Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
occupation	Actress, singer, model
yearsactive	1995–present }}

Amanda Michelle Seyfried born December 3, 1985) is an American actress, singer-songwriter and former child model. She began her career as a child model when she was 11 and at 15 she began her career as an actress, starting off with uncredited roles and moving on to recurring roles on ''As the World Turns'' and ''All My Children''.

In 2004, Seyfried made her film debut in ''Mean Girls'' playing Karen Smith, the ditziest of the so-called "Plastics". Her subsequent roles as a supporting character were in independent films like ''Nine Lives'' (2005) and ''Alpha Dog'' (2006). She also had a recurring role in the UPN TV show ''Veronica Mars'' (2004–2006). Between 2006 and 2010, she landed a lead role on HBO's popular television series ''Big Love''. After that, Seyfried appeared in her breakthrough and first leading role as Sophie Sheridan in the 2008 musical feature film ''Mamma Mia!''. Other recent appearances include successful leading roles in ''Jennifer's Body'' (2009), ''Chloe'' (2010), ''Dear John'' (2010), ''Letters to Juliet'' (2010), and ''Red Riding Hood'' (2011).

Early life

Seyfried was born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania on December 3, 1985. Her mother, Ann (née Sander), is an occupational therapist, and her father, Jack, is a pharmacist. Seyfried has an older sister, Jennifer Seyfried, who is a musician in the Philadelphia organ-driven rock band Love City. She has German ancestry. Seyfried graduated in 2003 from Allentown's William Allen High School.

Career

Early work

During Seyfried's time modeling, she appeared in print ads for clothing companies including Limited Too with Leighton Meester. She stopped modeling when she was seventeen. Seyfried took voice lessons, studied opera, and trained with a Broadway coach while still a teen. She began acting as an uncredited extra in the daytime drama television series ''Guiding Light''. In 2000 until 2001, she portrayed the recurring character Lucy Montgomery on the television show ''As the World Turns''. From 2002 to 2003, Seyfried played the recurring role of Joni Stafford on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) broadcasted show, ''All My Children''.

In 2003, Seyfried auditioned to play the role of Regina George in ''Mean Girls''; the role eventually went to Rachel McAdams. While she was initially considered to play the lead role of Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, the producers of the film decided that Seyfried should play Karen Smith, Regina's dim-witted "Plastic" friend and sidekick. The film was a box-office success, earning over $129 million in its theatrical run. Seyfried's performance in the film earned her, along with Lohan, Chabert and McAdams, an MTV Movie Award in the category of "Best On-Screen Team". Seyfried auditioned to play the title character on UPN's television series ''Veronica Mars''. The role eventually went to Kristen Bell, and Seyfried portrayed the title character's murdered best friend, Lilly Kane. Her character was only shown in flashbacks. The creator, Rob Thomas felt that Seyfried's portrayal as Lilly Kane was outstanding that he used her more times in the show than he initially planned in the first season. Seyfried appeared in ten episodes from 2004–2005.

In 2005, Seyfried played the lead character, Samantha, a role written by director Rodrigo Garcia specifically for her, in one of the nine parts in the film ''Nine Lives'', comprising nine short films with different themes and an ensemble cast. For her performance in the film, Seyfried, along with her film's other female leads, won an award from the Locarno International Film Festival, for Best Actress. The same year she played supporting character Mouse in the independent film, ''American Gun''. In 2006 Seyfried appeared in five episodes on ''Wildfire'' as Rebecca and had lead role as Chrissy in the short film titled ''Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves'', by writer-director Andrea Janakas. Seyfried also contributed a minor role as Julie Beckley in ''Alpha Dog''. From 2004 to 2006, Seyfried made multiple guest appearances on television series, including ''House, M.D.'', ''Justice'', ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', ''American Dad!'' and ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation''.

''Big Love'' and beyond

Seyfried's profile gained prominence due to her role in the highly acclaimed HBO drama television series, ''Big Love''. The series centers on a fictional fundamentalist Mormon family, in which Seyfried plays Sarah Henrickson, Bill and Barb's first daughter, who struggles with her family's polygamous faith. ''Big Love'' premiered in the United States on March 12, 2006. In December 2009, HBO confirmed that Seyfried would return for the show's fourth season, but that it would be her last, as Seyfried wished to focus on her film career and upcoming projects.

Following ''Big Love'', Seyfried had a supporting role as Zoe in the 2008 horror drama film ''Solstice'', and she co-starred alongside Meryl Streep in ''Mamma Mia!'', a romantic comedy film adaptation of the 1999 musical of the same name. ''Mamma Mia!'' was Seyfried's first leading role. The film was the fifth highest grossing film of 2008 and, as of March 2010, is the 49th highest grossing film of all time. Her musical performance in ''Mamma Mia!'' was released on the film's soundtrack, for which she recorded five songs. As part of promotion for both the film and its soundtrack, Seyfried recorded a music video of the song, entitled "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)".

In March 2008, Seyfried was cast in the comedy horror film ''Jennifer's Body''. In the film Seyfried was cast as Anita "Needy" Lesnicki, the title character's best friend. The film, which premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and was released to theaters on September 18, 2009, received mixed reviews from critics. The same year she was cast in the comedy-drama independent film ''Boogie Woogie''. She played Paige Oppenheimer, one of the lead roles in the ensemble movie. The movie was originally shown on June 26, 2009 at Edinburgh International Film Festival and was officially show in US theaters April 25, 2010. On February 22, 2009, Seyfried presented an award and performed at the 2009 Annual 81st Academy Awards ceremony. In early March 2009, director Zack Snyder had tapped Seyfried to portray the lead role, Baby Doll, in ''Sucker Punch'', but Seyfried had to drop out of the film due to scheduling conflicts with ''Big Love''.

Seyfried starred alongside Channing Tatum in ''Dear John'', the film adaptation of the novel of the same name that was written by Nicholas Sparks. The film was released on February 5, 2010, and received generally negative reviews, Seyfried wrote and recorded "Little House", a song which appears on one of the official soundtracks of ''Dear John''. Despite the reviews, ''Dear John'' became the first film to break up ''Avatar'''s box office reign at number one at the United States box office and grossed $80 million in the US theatrically.

Seyfried appeared as the title character in the erotic thriller ''Chloe'', theatrically released by Sony Pictures Classics on March 26, 2010. ''Chloe'' originally premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2009. In the film, Seyfried's character is a escort/prostitute who is hired to test a husband because his wife feels that she cannot trust his fidelity. ''Chloe'' had enjoyed commercial success and became director Atom Egoyan's biggest moneymaker ever. Seyfried's performance in the film also received favorable reviews from critics; it also helped her to gain more industry acclaim and receive more opportunity to play more interesting roles.

Later in 2010, Seyfried starred in the romantic-comedy film ''Letters to Juliet'', based on the book by Lise and Ceil Friedman. In 2010, she received an award and was named "Showest Breakthrough Female Star of The Year". She also won the "Scared-As-S**T" category for her performance in ''Jennifer's Body'' and was nominated for Best Female Performance for her movie ''Dear John'', at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Also in 2010, she was included in ''Forbes''s "The 17 Stars To Watch" list, received 3 nominations in the Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie Actress Drama and Choice Movie Chemistry with her co-star Channing Tatum for their movie ''Dear John''. Seyfried was also nominated for Choice Movie Actress Romantic Comedy for ''Letters to Juliet''.

In late January 2009, she became attached to appear in Myriad Pictures' adaptation of Oscar Wilde's comedy ''A Woman of No Importance''. The film is set to be released in 2011. However, 2010 reports indicate that the film might not happen due to lack of financing. Although it was confirmed in 2009 that she would appear in the movie ''Albert Nobbs'', she ultimately dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Mia Wasikowska. Seyfried plays the lead role of Valerie in Catherine Hardwicke's ''Red Riding Hood''. It was released on March 11, 2011. She will also play the lead role of Sylvia Weis in Andrew Niccol's ''In Time'', set to be released in October 2011.

Personal life

Seyfried has stated that she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.

Seyfried's first serious boyfriend was her ''All My Children'' co-star Micah Alberti. After their relationship ended, she briefly dated her ''Alpha Dog'' co-star Emile Hirsch. In 2005, Seyfried began a relationship with actor and musician Jesse Marchant; their relationship ended in 2008. In 2009 she started dating her ''Mamma Mia!'' co-star Dominic Cooper. The couple broke up in May 2010. She then began a relationship with Ryan Phillippe.

In the media

Seyfried was ranked six times in six consecutive years on the list of "The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World". First was in 2005 where she ranked #32, 2006 ranked #23, 2007 ranked #46, 2008 ranked #65, 2009 ranked #5, and 2010 ranked #9.

Seyfried was also ranked thrice in the Moviefone's "25 Under 25: Hollywood's Hottest Young Stars". In 2008, she was placed #5, #23 in 2009 and #18 in 2010.

In 2009, People Magazine ranked Seyfried #4 in the Most Beautiful 2009 – Beautiful at Every Age. Seyfried once again made the list of People Magazine's Most Beautiful 2010 with no make-up on.

In 2010, she ranked number 3 on the ''Saturday Night Magazine'''s Top 20 Rising Stars Under 30. and at the #17 spot in the British Glamour magazine "30 Hottest and Sexiest Stars Under 30". Glamour magazine's April 2010 issue dubbed Seyfried as ''The Most Down-To-Earth'' and ranked #3 in the "50 Most Glamorous Women of 2010".

She also appeared twice in the cover and article of Vanity Fair. First was the ''VF's Young Hollywood's New Wave'' in the year 2008 and the recent controversial Vanity Fair cover and article ''VF's A New Decade, A New Hollywood''.

Moreover, LoveFilm ranked Seyfried at #5 spot on their 2010 edition of Top Ten Actresses Under 30. In 2011, she ranked #1 on ''People'''s "25 Beauties (and Hotties) at 25" list.

Filmography

+ Film
! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
2004	''Mean Girls''	Karen Smith	Film Debut
2005		Samantha
2005	''American Gun''	Mouse
2006	''Alpha Dog''	Julie Beckley
2006	''Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves''	Chrissy
2007		Zoe
2008		Sophie Sheridan
2008	''Official Selection''	Emily
2009		Paige Oppenheimer
2009	''Jennifer's Body''	Anita "Needy" Lesnicki	''MTV Movie Awards - Best Scared-As-S**t Performance''
2010		Savannah Lynn Curtis
2010		Chloe Sweeney
2010	''Letters to Juliet''	Sophie Hall
2010	''A Bag of Hammers''	Amanda
2011		Valerie
2011		Sylvia Weis	''Post-Production''
2012		Jill	''Post-Production''
2012	''The Weeding''	Missy O'Connor	''Post-Production

+ Television
Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1999–2001	''As the World Turns''		Recurring role (27 episodes)
2002–2003		''All My Children''	Joni Stafford	Recurring role (3 episodes)
2004	''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''	Tandi McCain
	''Veronica Mars''	Lilly Kane	Recurring role (11 episodes)
2005	''House M.D.''	Pam
2006		Ann Juliette Diggs
2006		Rebecca
2006	''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation''	Lacey Finn	Episode: "Rashomama"
	''Big Love''	Sarah Henrickson	Main role (43 episodes) (seasons 1-4 as regular) (season 5 as special guest star)
2008	''American Dad!''	Amy	Voice, Episode: "Escape from Pearl Bailey"

Rankings

! Year	! Title	! Rank
2005	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#32
2006	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#23
2007	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#46
2008	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#65
2008	Moviefone's "25 Under 25: Hollywood's Hottest Young Stars"	#5
2009	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#5
2009	Moviefone's "25 Under 25: Hollywood's Hottest Young Stars"	#23
2009	People Magazine's Most Beautiful 2009 – Beautiful at Every Age	#4
2009	Autograph Collectors Daily - Top 10 Celebrity Signers in 2009	#5
2010	The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World	#9
2010	Moviefone's "25 Under 25: Hollywood's Hottest Young Stars"	#18
2010		#3
2010	Glamour Magazine's "30 Hottest and Sexiest Stars Under 30"	#17
2010	Glamour Magazine's "50 Most Glamorous Women of 2010" (dubbed as The Most Down-To-Earth)	#3
2010	LoveFilm's Top Ten Actresses Under 30	#5
2010	The Internet Movie Database's Top 100 STARmeter list	#34
2010	Forbes's 17 Stars To Watch	#15
2010	People Magazine's World's Most Beautiful	#10
2011	AskMen's Top 99 Women	#92

References

External links

Amanda Seyfried at NNDB

Category:1985 births Category:Actors from Pennsylvania Category:American child models Category:American female singers Category:American film actors Category:American people of German descent Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American soap opera actors Category:American television actors Category:Fordham University alumni Category:Living people Category:People from Allentown, Pennsylvania Category:William Allen High School alumni

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