birth name	Sandra Annette Bullock
birth date	July 26, 1964
birth place	Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
nationality	American
years active	1985–present
spouse	Jesse G. James (2005–2010)
children	1
parents	John BullockHelga Meyer (deceased)
occupation	Actress, comedian, producer }}

Sandra Annette Bullock (; born July 26, 1964) is an American actress and producer who rose to fame in the 1990s after roles in successful films such as ''Demolition Man'', ''Speed'', ''The Net'', ''A Time to Kill'', and ''While You Were Sleeping''. In the new millennium she appeared in such films as ''Miss Congeniality'', ''The Lake House'', and ''Crash'', the third of which received critical acclaim. In 2007, she was ranked as the 14th richest female celebrity with an estimated fortune of US$85 million. In 2009, Bullock starred in two of the more financially successful films of her career, ''The Proposal'' and ''The Blind Side''. Bullock was awarded a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in ''The Blind Side''. She is listed in the 2012 edition of the ''Guinness Book Of World Records'' as the highest-paid actress, with $56 million.

Early life

Sandra Annette Bullock was born in Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Her father, John W. Bullock (born 1925), was a United States Army employee and part-time voice coach from Birmingham, Alabama, and her mother, Helga D. Meyer (1942–2000), was a German opera singer and voice teacher. Bullock's maternal grandfather was a rocket scientist from Nuremberg, Germany. John Bullock, then in charge of the Army's Military Postal Service in Europe, was stationed in Nuremberg when he met his wife. They married in Germany, soon moving to Arlington, where John Bullock worked with the Army Materiel Command, before becoming a contractor for The Pentagon.

Bullock frequently accompanied her mother on her opera tours throughout Europe. She spent time in Salzburg and Nuremberg, where she stayed with her aunt and grandmother and became fluent in German. Bullock studied ballet and vocal arts as a child, taking small parts in her mother's opera productions. She sang in the operas children's choir at the Staatstheater Nürnberg.

Bullock attended Washington-Lee High School, where she was a cheerleader and performed in high school theater productions. After she graduated in 1982, she entered East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. However, she dropped out in her fourth year in spring of 1986, just three credits short of graduating, to become an actress. She moved to Manhattan and supported herself as a bartender, cocktail waitress, and coat checker. She later completed her coursework and graduated from East Carolina University.

Acting

While in New York, Bullock took acting classes with Sanford Meisner. She appeared in several student films, and later landed a role in an Off-Broadway play ''No Time Flat''. Director Alan J. Levi was impressed by Bullock's performance and offered her a part in the TV movie ''Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman'' (1989). Afterward, she was cast in a series of small roles in several independent films as well as in the lead role of the short-lived NBC television version of the film ''Working Girl'' (1990). She later appeared in several films, such as ''Love Potion No. 9'' (1992), ''The Thing Called Love'' (1993) and ''Fire on the Amazon''. A prominent supporting role in the science-fiction/action movie ''Demolition Man'' (1993) led to her breakthrough performance in ''Speed'' the following year. She became a movie star in the late 1990s, carrying a string of successes, including ''While You Were Sleeping'', and ''Miss Congeniality'' in 2000. Bullock received $11 million for ''Speed 2: Cruise Control'', which she agreed to star in for financial backing for her own project, ''Hope Floats'', and has revealed she regrets making the sequel. She later received $17.5 million for ''Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous''.

Bullock was selected as one of ''People'' magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1996 and 1999, and was also ranked #58 in ''Empire'' magazine's Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time list. She was presented with the 2002 Raúl Juliá Award for Excellence for her efforts, as the executive producer of the sitcom ''George Lopez'', in helping expand career openings for Hispanic talent in the media and entertainment industry. She also made several appearances on the show as Accident Amy, an accident-prone employee at the factory Lopez's character manages. In 2002, she starred opposite Hugh Grant in ''Two Weeks Notice'' and in the film ''Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood''.

In 2004, Bullock had a supporting role in the film ''Crash''. She received positive reviews for her performance, with some critics suggesting that it was the best performance of her career. In 2005, she was a co-recipient of the Women in Film Crystal Award.

In 2008, Sandra Bullock was announced as "the face" of prestigious cosmetic brand Artistry.

Bullock later appeared in ''The Lake House'', a romantic drama also starring her ''Speed'' co-star, Keanu Reeves; it was released on June 16, 2006. Because their film characters are separated throughout the film (due to the plot revolving around time travel), Bullock and Reeves were only on set together for two weeks during filming. The same year, Bullock appeared in ''Infamous'', playing author Harper Lee. Bullock also starred in ''Premonition'' with Julian McMahon, which was released in March 2007. 2009 proved to be especially good for Bullock, giving the actress two record highs in her career, as earlier in the year she released ''The Proposal'', with co-star Ryan Reynolds, a huge hit that took in more than $314 million at the box office worldwide, making it her most successful picture to date.

In November 2009, Bullock starred in ''The Blind Side'', which opened at #2 behind ''New Moon'' with $34.2 million, making it her highest opening weekend ever. ''The Blind Side'' is unique in that it had a 17.6% increase at the box office its second weekend, and it took the top spot of the box office in its third weekend. The movie cost $29 million to make according to the Box Office Mojo. It has grossed over $309 million to date, making it her domestic highest grossing film and the first movie in history to pass the $200 million mark with only one top-billed female star. She won the award for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in ''The Blind Side''. Bullock had initially turned down the role three times due to a discomfort with portraying a devout Christian. Winning the "Oscar" also gave her another unique distinction — since she won two "Razzies" the day before, for her performance in ''All About Steve'', she is the only performer ever to have been named both "Best" and "Worst" for the same year. Sandra was asked to return her 2009 "Worst Actress of the Year" Razzie award; however, this wasn't because of a change of heart for Bullock's performance but because Bullock personally accepted her Razzie and accidentally took the original one-of-a-kind prototype Razzie, as opposed to the cheap trinket normally handed out to celebrities.

Recognition

As of 2009, Bullock's films have grossed over $3.1 billion worldwide. According to ''The Numbers'', her total domestic gross stands at $1.7 billion, placing her among the Top 100 Stars at the Box Office.

Critics, while praising her screen persona, have been less receptive to her films. As of the 2009 release of ''The Proposal'', Mark Kermode said she's made only three "good" films in her career—''Speed'', ''While You Were Sleeping'', and ''Crash'', and says "she's funny, she's gorgeous, it's impossible not to love her and yet she makes rotten film after rotten film after rotten film." As of December 2009, Bullock has appeared on three ''Entertainment Weekly'' covers. She was selected by ''People'' Magazine as its "Woman of the Year" for 2010. She was ranked #12 on ''People'''s Most Beautiful 2011 list.

Entrepreneurship

Bullock runs her own production company, Fortis Films. Bullock was an executive producer of ''The George Lopez Show'', which garnered a lucrative syndication deal that banked her some $10 million (co-produced with Robert Borden). Bullock tried to produce a film based on F.X. Toole's short story, ''Million-Dollar Baby'', but could not interest the studios in a female boxing drama. The story was eventually adapted and directed by Clint Eastwood as the Oscar-winning film, ''Million Dollar Baby'' (2004). Bullock's production company, Fortis Films, also produced ''All About Steve'', which was released in September 2009. Her father, John Bullock, is the company's CEO, and her sister, Gesine Bullock-Prado, is the former president.

Since November 2006, Bullock founded a popular Austin, Texas restaurant, Bess Bistro. She later opened another business across the street in a building she extensively renovated downtown called Walton's Fancy and Staple a bakery, upscale restaurant and floral shop that also offers services such as event planning.

Personal life

Relationships and children

Bullock was once engaged to actor Tate Donovan, whom she met while filming ''Love Potion No. 9''; their relationship lasted four years. She previously dated football player Troy Aikman, Austin musician Bob Schneider (for two years), and actors Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Gosling.

Bullock married motorcycle builder and ''Monster Garage'' host Jesse James on July 16, 2005. They first met when Bullock arranged for her ten-year-old godson to meet James as a Christmas present.

In November 2009, Bullock and James entered into a custody battle with James' second ex-wife, former pornographic actress Janine Lindemulder, with whom James had a child. Bullock and James subsequently won full legal custody of James' five-year-old daughter.

In March 2010, a scandal arose when several women claimed to have had affairs with James during his marriage to Bullock. Bullock cancelled European promotional appearances for ''The Blind Side'' citing "unforeseen personal reasons". On March 18, 2010, James responded to the rumors of infidelity by issuing a public apology to Bullock. He stated, "The vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded" and "Beyond that, I will not dignify these private matters with any further public comment." James declared that "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me", and asked that his wife and children one day "find it in their hearts to forgive me" for their current "pain and embarrassment". James’ publicist subsequently announced on March 30, 2010, that James had checked into a rehab facility "to deal with personal issues" and "save his marriage" to Bullock. However on April 28, 2010, it was reported that Bullock had filed for divorce on April 23 in Austin. Their divorce was finalized on June 28, 2010, with "conflict of personalities" cited as the reason.

Bullock announced on April 28, 2010, that she had proceeded with plans to adopt a baby boy born in January 2010 in New Orleans. Bullock and James had begun an initial adoption process four years earlier. The child began living with them in January 2010, but they chose to keep the news private until after the Oscars in March 2010. However, given the couple's separation and then divorce, Bullock continued the adoption of the baby, named Louis Bardo Bullock, as a single parent.

Vehicular accidents

On December 20, 2000, Bullock and another passenger survived the crash of a chartered business jet during an attempted night landing at Jackson Hole Airport. The pilots were unable to activate the runway lights due to having out-of-date approach plates, but continued the landing. The aircraft landed in the airport's graded safety area between the runway and parallel taxiway and hit a snowbank. The accident caused a separation of the nose cone and landing gear, partial separation of the right wing, and a bend in the left wing.

On April 18, 2008, while Bullock was in Massachusetts shooting the film ''The Proposal'', she and her then-husband were in an SUV that was hit head-on (driver's side offset) at moderate speed by a drunken driver. Vehicle damage was not major and there were no injuries.

Legal matters

In October 2004, Bullock won a multimillion-dollar judgment against Benny Daneshjou, the builder of her Lake Austin, Texas home; the jury ruled the house was uninhabitable. It has since been torn down and rebuilt.

Stalking

On April 22, 2007, Marcia Diana Valentine was found lying outside James and Bullock's Southern California home in Orange County. When James confronted the woman, she ran to her 2004 silver Mercedes, got behind the wheel, and tried to run over James. The woman is said to be an obsessed fan of Sandra Bullock. The woman was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault and stalking, while Bullock obtained a restraining order to bar Valentine from "contacting or coming near her home, family or work for three years." Valentine pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and stalking. Valentine was subsequently convicted of stalking and was sentenced to three years of probation.

Charity work

Bullock has been a public supporter of the American Red Cross, having donated $1 million to the organization at least four times. Her first public donation of that amount was to the Red Cross's Liberty Disaster Relief Fund. Three years later, she sent money in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis. In 2010, she donated $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti following the Haiti earthquake, and again donated the same amount following the 2011 Japan Earthquake.

Along with other stars, Bullock did a PSA urging people to sign a petition for clean-up efforts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Filmography

+ Feature films
! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1987	''Hangmen''	Lisa Edwards
1989	''Religion, Inc.'' (aka "A Fool and His Money")	Debby
1989	''Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman''	Kate Mason
1989	''Who Shot Patakango?''	Devlin Moran
1989	''''	Stacy
1990	''Lucky/Chances''	Maria Santangelo
1992	''Who Do I Gotta Kill?'' (aka "Me and the Mob")	Lori
1992	''When the Party's Over''	Amanda
1992		Diane Farrow
1993	''''	Diane Shaver
1993	''''	Linda Lue Linden
1993		Lt. Lenina Huxley	Nominated—Golden Raspberry Award
1993	''[[Fire on the Amazon''	Alyssa Rothman
1993	''Wrestling Ernest Hemingway''	Elaine
1994		Annie Porter	Saturn Award for Best ActressMTV Movie Award for Best Female PerformanceMTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (with Keanu Reeves) MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (with Keanu Reeves)
1995	''While You Were Sleeping''	Lucy Moderatz	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated—MTV Movie Awards
1995	''''	Angela Bennett
1996	''[[Two If by Sea''	Roz
1996	''''	Ellen Roark
1996		Agnes Von Kurowsky
1997	''Speed 2: Cruise Control''	Annie Porter	Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst ActressNominated—Razzie Award for Worst Screen Couple (with Jason Patric)
1997	''Making Sandwiches''	Melba Club	Debut—Sundance Film Festival; also writer, director, and producer
1998	''Hope Floats''	Roberta "Birdee" Pruitt	Executive Producer
1998	''Practical Magic''	Sally Owens	Co - Producer
1998	'''' (animated film)	Miriam	(Voice)
1999	''Forces of Nature''	Sarah Lewis
2000		Judy Tipp	Producer
2000		Gwen Cummings
2000		Gracie Hart/Gracie Lou Freebush	Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Also Producer
2002	''Murder by Numbers''	Cassie Mayweather/Jessica Marie Hudson	Executive Producer
2002		Siddalee Walker
2002	''Two Weeks Notice''	Lucy Kelson	Producer
2004		Jean Cabot	Black Reel Award: Best Ensemble
2005		Mrs. Harker
2005	''[[Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous''	Gracie Hart	Producer
2006	''''	Kate Forster	Teen Choice Award for Best Liplock (with Keanu Reeves)
2006		Nelle Harper Lee
2007		Linda Hanson
2009	''''	Margaret Tate	Teen Choice Award for Best Dance (with Betty White)Teen Choice Award for Best Romantic Comedy ActressNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or ComedyNominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Ryan Reynolds) Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer: Movie Star—FemaleNominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Liplock (with Ryan Reynolds) Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (with Ryan Reynolds) Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite On Screen Team (with Ryan Reynolds) Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy	Producer
2009	''All About Steve''	Mary Horowitz	ProducerRazzie Award for Worst ActressRazzie Award for Worst Screen Couple (with Bradley Cooper)Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Picture
2009	''''	Leigh Anne Tuohy	Academy Award for Best Actress Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress (tied with Meryl Streep) Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Teen Choice Award for Best Actress Drama MTV Generation Award Nominated—Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated—Denver Film Critics Award for Best Actress Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best ActressNominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated—Washington D.C. Area Films Critics Association for Best Actress
2011		Linda Schell	Nominated—Georgia Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress
2012		Dr. Ryan Stone	Post-production

References

External links

Sandra Bullock at Yahoo! Movies

Sandra Bullock: 2010's Triumphs – slideshow by ''Life magazine''

Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century actors Category:21st-century actors Category:Actors from Virginia Category:Actors from Louisiana Category:American film actors Category:American film producers Category:American people of German descent Category:American philanthropists Category:American television actors Category:American television producers Category:American comedians Category:Women comedians Category:Best Actress Academy Award winners Category:East Carolina University alumni Category:Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre alumni Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners Category:Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Screen Actors Guild Award winners Category:People from Arlington County, Virginia Category:People from Austin, Texas Category:People from New Orleans, Louisiana Category:People from Fürth Category:Saturn Award winners Category:Waldorf school alumni

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