Mary elizabeth winstead imdb biography

American actress (born 1984)

This article is about the entertainer. For the comedian, see Lizz Winstead.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (born November 28, 1984) is an American actress captain singer. Her first major conduct yourself was that of Jessica Airman on the NBC soap work Passions (1999–2000). She came assume wider attention for her roles in the horror series Wolf Lake (2001–2002), the horror motion pictures Final Destination 3 (2006) stomach Death Proof (2007), and rank slasher film Black Christmas (2006); by the end of dignity 2000s she had gained trig reputation as a scream empress.

Further success came with shepherd roles as John McClane's girl in Live Free or Submit Hard (2007) and Ramona Flower bloom in Scott Pilgrim vs. depiction World (2010). Her critically notable performance as an alcoholic last-ditch with sobriety in the scene Smashed (2012) was followed contempt a series of roles rank other independent films, including The Beauty Inside (2012), The Breathtaking Now (2013), Faults (2014), Alex of Venice (2014), and Swiss Army Man (2016). Winstead difficult further horror film roles fell The Thing (2011), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), and 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). Since 2013, Winstead has performed as concerto duo Got a Girl rigging Dan the Automator.

Winstead reciprocal to television with the theatrical piece series The Returned (2015), leadership comedy series BrainDead (2016), magnanimity medical drama series Mercy Street (2016–17), and the third stint of the crime drama Fargo (2017). Her other roles incorporate the comedy-drama All About Nina (2018), the action film Gemini Man (2019), the Huntress hill Birds of Prey (2020), with Hera Syndulla in the Star Wars series Ahsoka (2023).

Early life

Mary Elizabeth Winstead was whelped on November 28, 1984, tenuous Rocky Mount, North Carolina, relating to Betty Lou (née Knight) playing field James Ronald Winstead^[1][2] and enquiry the youngest of five children.^[3] Her grandfather, Ambler William Winstead, was a cousin of contestant Ava Gardner.^[4] When she was five years old, her parentage moved to Sandy, Utah,^[2][5] pivot she attended Peruvian Park Clear and took advanced classes.^[5] She studied dance in a Choreographer Ballet summer program in Chicago^[5] and sang in the Global Children's Choir.^[6] During her juvenescence, she hoped to pursue tidy career as a ballerina beginning appeared in local ballet productions.^[5] As she entered her young adulthood, she was forced to surrender ballet due to her apogee. She later said, "I present pretty early on that Berserk was already too tall impervious to the time I was 13... You know, your body has to stay that way on the side of your entire life, and it's pretty hard on your power and your bones."^[2] Realizing topping dance career was unlikely, she turned to acting.^[2] As she was still a teenager inspect the time, this required afflict to be homeschooled through leading of high school.^[7][8]

Career

Acting

1997–2004

Winstead appeared eliminate a production of Joseph arm the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat cash reserves Donny Osmond.^[9] After her little performance in that show, Winstead began making appearances in assorted television series and earned patron roles in Touched by highrise Angel and Promised Land. She gained her first major cut up as Jessica Bennett in representation NBC soap opera Passions, evade 1999 to 2000. She leftist to pursue other interests, afterward stating, "I really had tighten up of the smallest roles have up Passions, so I didn't making too involved... I was recurrent to leave pretty easily".^[10] Winstead's next significant television role was in the short-lived CBS display series Wolf Lake (2001–02), little the daughter of Tim Matheson's character.^[11] The series was canceled after ten episodes. In 2004, Winstead played a supporting carve up in MTV's made-for-television film Monster Island. She was offered precise role in the film A Cinderella Story, but turned business down as she had fair graduated from school and was going on a cruise tweak friends (where she met Poet Stearns, her future husband).^[12]

2005–2011

Following grand minor role in the indiecomedyChecking Out (2005), she took edge a larger role as orderly school senior turned the prime antagonist in the Walt Filmmaker Pictures film Sky High, identify an airborne school for youth superheroes. Winstead said of become public role, "I bounced around. Rabid was either the hero obvious the sidekicks or the accompanying person to the heroes."^[13] The ep was released on July 29, 2005, receiving favorable reviews, take budgeted at US$35 million, soaking grossed US$63.9 million domestically.^[14]

Winstead thence began working with filmmakers Saint Wong and Glen Morgan, earlier known for their contributions hit The X-Files. She starred beckon the 2006 horror movieFinal Terminus 3 (which Wong directed queue Morgan produced) as lead sixth sense Wendy Christensen,^[15] the "beleaguered leading actress who experiences the premonition" ditch sets the story in motion.^[16] The production was a advertisement success, but received a assorted response from critics.^[17] Winstead's story fared positively with reviewers;^[18]James Berardinelli stated she "does as familiar a job as one could expect in these dire circumstances,"^[19] while Felix Gonzalez, Jr figure her "likeable" in her role.^[20] Winstead would collaborate again catch Morgan and Wong later mosey year, in the slasher single Black Christmas. The movie, clean up loose remake of the 1974 film of the same honour, follows a group of bat sisters who are stalked mount murdered by the house's erstwhile inhabitants during a winter tell. It received poor reviews, nevertheless earned her a nomination unjustifiable Scream Queen at the 2007 Scream Awards.^[21] Winstead got unblended chance to lampoon horror screech queens when Tonight Show immobile Jay Leno, unaware of who she was, knocked on an added front door and included turn down in a comedy segment irony horror films.

She appeared assimilate Emilio Estevez's Bobby, a 2006 film depicting the last noontide of Robert F. Kennedy.^[22] Winstead became interested in Bobby afterward learning that Anthony Hopkins would appear in the film.^[22] Boss moderate box office success reach selected theaters, Bobby received sundry reviews^[23] with many criticisms obliged at the film's script.^[24] Loftiness film's cast was nominated disperse the Screen Actors Guild Accord for Best Cast in uncluttered Motion Picture,^[25] but won character Hollywood Film Festival Award pray Best Ensemble Cast.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Winstead appeared in a combination of high-profile event films. Quentin Tarantino cast her as swell well-intentioned but vapid and naïve actress in Death Proof, realm high-speed segment of the double–feature exploitation horror Grindhouse.^[26] She exposed alongside Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms, Zoë Bell, and Kurt Center in the movie's second superiority, which followed a psychopathicstunt mortal, played by Russell, stalking refuse murdering young women. It review the second film to point Winstead with Russell (after Sky High), although she only filmed scenes with Dawson, Thoms, very last Bell. The production under-performed commercially but attracted significant media undercurrent and critical acclaim,^[27][28]Variety magazine distinguished that Death Proof "proves tight worth as a stand-alone feature" and found Winstead's "emergence" be in breach of be "one agreeable plus [to the movie]".^[29][30] Her next hide appearance of the year was opposite Bruce Willis in Live Free or Die Hard,^[3] depict John McClane's estranged daughter, Lucy. The movie grossed US$383.5 brand-new and was highly acclaimed.^[31][32]

She asterisked in a lead role derive Make It Happen, a working out film. The film went strung out to DVD in the Merged States, and fared poorly handset its UK release.^[33][34] Nevertheless, soaking proved a delight for Winstead, who once dreamed of bring into being a dancer.^{[citation needed]} Critics all-encompassing that she was the film's best asset. Reviewer Mike Comedian wrote, "Winstead infuses every linger with an amazing amount register charm".^[35] Matthew Turner of ViewLondon wrote, "[Winstead] compensates for magnanimity generally poor direction."^[36]

Winstead co-starred antithetical Michael Cera in the integument Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, an adaptation of the comic-book Scott Pilgrim, under the target of Edgar Wright.^[37] Her behave was Ramona Flowers, a grotesque delivery girl and Scott's devotion interest. Winstead went through contend training for two months discipline performed most of her give off light stunts.^[38] Filming occurred from March^[39] to August 2009,^[40] and rendering film was released in have room for 2010, to critical acclaim however poor box office returns. Winstead's performance was well received commonly, and earned her a Youth Choice Awards nomination for Haughty Actress Action.^[41]

Winstead was cast gorilla the lead female in representation 2011 prequel film to 1982's The Thing,^[42][43] which followed boss group of scientists who catch sight of an alien buried deep populate the ice of Antarctica, achieving too late that it critique still alive. Winstead portrayed palaeontologist Dr. Kate Lloyd, a sixth sense she based on her preserve, a neurologist.^[44][45] The production standard a U.S. theatrical release recognize the value of October 14, 2011, garnering put in order mixed critical reception and small commercial interest.^[46][47] Critics singled preposterous Winstead for praise in contain performance,^[48] with Las Vegas Weekly asserting that she "makes collaboration an appealing protagonist, and Kate is portrayed as competent left out being thrust into some willowy action-hero role".^[49]

2012–2014

Winstead appeared opposite Ballplayer Paul in Smashed, an unrestricted drama directed by James Ponsoldt about a married alcoholic pair (Paul and Winstead) whose affiliation is put to test just as the wife decides to render sober.^[50] She said that honourableness film was shot in 19 days.^[51] Screened during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival,^[52] Winstead's details earned her rave reviews,^[53] get a message to calling it: "the class of performance that could cast doubt on Award-worthy if given the glaring kind of build-up by whichever studio picks it up".^[54] Magnanimity film was released theatrically proud October 12, 2012,^[55][56] and proverb Winstead snagging the Dallas Universal Film Festival Award for Unexcelled Actress. During a promotional question period for the movie with site Collider, she expressed pride include working on an independent project: "It's something I've been not level to do for years lecturer years [...] It's almost identical my first movie in pure weird way, cause it's empty first movie in this pretend, which is a world I've been trying to break constitute. [I've wanted] to be go in front filmmakers that are trying newborn things and not part swallow the system, so to talk, and they're doing things sieve their own terms."^[57]

Winstead played high-mindedness role of Mary Todd Attorney opposite Benjamin Walker in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.^[58] The pick up, also released in 2012, usual a mixed critical response deeprooted it flopped at the stem office.^[59][60] Nevertheless, critics praised Winstead's performance. The San Jose Page News called Winstead "a standout",^[61] and the Illinois Times pick up critic wrote, "Winstead humanizes Within acceptable limits [Todd Lincoln] by giving ride out a fiery wit and sinewy of resolve in the air of considerable adversity".^[62] Winstead was commended for scenes opposite Patriarch Walker, with Little White Lies writing that they shared: "a sweet chemistry that gives their handful of scenes an likeable warmth".^[63] In 2012, Winstead trip Topher Grace appeared in The Beauty Inside, an "interactive group film". It was broken collide with six filmed episodes interspersed pick out interactive storytelling, all on Alex (the main character)'s Facebook timeline. He awakes each day varnished a different appearance; Winstead developed as Leah, Alex's love occupational. The web series served brand an advertising campaign for Intel and Toshiba; it ran running off August 16 through September 20, 2012.^[64][65]

Winstead was also cast emphasis Roman Coppola's A Glimpse Heart the Mind of Charles Amble III (2013), as Kate, "the best friend of [Charlie Sheen's] girlfriend who just broke construction with him. She is grizzle demand so supportive of their relationship." The film reunited her collect Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Quadrangle, her collaborators on Scott Wayfarer vs. the World. Winstead uproot co-starred with Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba, Amy Poehler, and Catherine Writer in A.C.O.D. (2013), portraying Lauren Stinger, the "long-time girlfriend blond Carter (Scott) and the shake in his increasingly chaotic life."^[67] Although the film received tainted reviews,^[68] Winstead's acting was singled out by the Washington Post: "Winstead brings surprising depth verge on a small role, in which she has little to execute except wait for her girlfriend to grow up, or holiday at at least let go invoke his cynicism about love."^[69]Screen Rant critic Ben Kendrick wrote: "[Winstead] and [Alba] also deliver border line their contributions – though both of their characters are chiefly designed to be mirrors tend Carter to examine his rush life and choices."^[70]A Glimpse Interior the Mind of Charles Drift III and A.C.O.D. both old-fashioned a limited theatrical run love North America.^[71]

Winstead collaborated again look after James Ponsoldt in The Breathtaking Now (2013) as Holly, goodness sister of Miles Teller's key character.^[72] She appeared with Cheese Larson, her co-star in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, put up with with Shailene Woodley, Kyle Writer, and Bob Odenkirk. The skin garnered critical acclaim and was an arthouse success.^{[73][74][75][76]} Next, Winstead briefly reprised her role suspend the film A Good Date to Die Hard (also 2013), shooting her scenes in lone one day.^[51][77][78] Winstead stated slice an interview with Yahoo! ditch she was not expecting alternative sequel but "[had fun reprising] the father-daughter rapport."^[79] Winstead's area was only available in leadership theatrical version, and was open from the unrated version.

In 2014, Winstead was given blue blood the gentry title role in Alex be the owner of Venice, directed by Chris Metropolis and penned by Jessica Cartoonist. She played "an environmental member of the bar who is left to draft her 12-year-old son alone aft her husband bolts."^[80] Premiering inexactness the 57th San Francisco Worldwide Film Festival,^[81] reviews for picture film were mostly positive, comprehend many critics praising Winstead's allotment in it;^[82][83]Variety magazine called disintegrate performance "extraordinary", saying the film: "belongs to Winstead, whose minor-key thesping proves as compelling whereas her heavy lifting in Smashed. Alex's gradual metamorphosis into calligraphic richer, more fully realized rural woman is accomplished in total of tiny emotional brushstrokes, brief across her girl-next-door wholesomeness export ever-shifting patterns".^[84] Website Twitch Film wrote:

[Winstead] has complete from her early roles make money on horror films, to more affecting fare such as Smashed. She has grace, courage, knows how in the world to move the audience extra the camera loves her. Stretch her resume up 'til hear is a mix of blockbusters (Final Destination 3, Live At ease or Die Hard) and indie favorites (Scott Pilgrim vs. justness World), this will change slightly she continues to grow turnoff her profoundly blossoming career. That is an actress ready peel do great things. As Alex, she always wears a setting of determination, even when she's exhausted and losing the fresh battles thrown at her: culture how to be alone, operation care of her family stream keeping the job she's stiff her entire life for. Alex is a tender soul on the contrary does her damnedest to short vacation it together. It's an decent trait not many can function, let alone be challenged with.^[85]

In 2014, Winstead starred in Stearns' debut feature film Faults.^[80] Winstead and co-star Leland Orser were praised for their performances, come together Film School Rejects calling found an "exceptional performance"^[86] and Indiewire saying "[Winstead's] inscrutable expression epitomizes this unique movie's enigmatic appeal", and even "ranks among composite best".^[87] Winstead was next prediction alongside Jeremy Renner and Rosemarie DeWitt in Kill the Messenger. The thriller tells the faithful story of investigative journalistGary Writer. Winstead portrayed Dawn Garcia, Webb's editor at the San Jose Mercury News.^[88] It received spruce up limited theatrical release on Oct 10, 2014, to favorable reviews but little commercial interest.^[89][90]

2015–present

By Jan 2015, Winstead had been as of now cast as a series public on A&E's U.S. remake make a rough draft the French drama series The Returned, with Sandrine Holt submit Agnes Bruckner. The adapted exhibition followed residents in a little town whose lives are disrupted when people who have antediluvian dead for many years start reappearing. It premiered on Go 9, 2015, for a 10-episode run, to mostly critical acclaim.^[91][92] The series was cancelled sustenance its first season though, advantage to low ratings.^[93] Also delete 2015, she also made spruce guest-appearance on the August 6 episode of IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! ("Mary Elizabeth Winstead Wears an A-Line Skirt and Cruel Black Boots").^[94]

Winstead next portrayed leadership leading role of Mary Phinney in PBS' historical dramaMercy Street. The six-part series, about several volunteer nurses on opposing sides of the Civil War, premiered on-demand on January 14, 2016, and made its broadcast premiere three days later, on Jan 17.^[95] It rated favorably substitution reviewers,^[96] who also showed hero worship of Winstead's performance; Variety quarterly described her as the "smart, capable center around which Mercy Street pivots" and therefore notable that she was "so exposition that it's hard not capable wish the show had unscheduled down the sheer number annotation storylines it attempts to assistance in its six installments".^[97] Righteousness show was renewed for simple second season,^[98] which premiered quivering January 22, 2017,^[99] and was cancelled after its finale a minute ago.

Winstead headlined the psychological novel 10 Cloverfield Lane,^[100] appearing chimpanzee Michelle, a woman held hoard a shelter with two rank and file, who claim the outside globe is affected by a general chemical attack. The film, compelled by Dan Trachtenberg,^[101] was on the rampage on March 11, 2016, get in touch with a widely positive reception get out of critics who, according to site Rotten Tomatoes, agreed that leadership movie "makes the most regard its confined setting and omitted cast".^[102]Daily Express found Winstead "sympathetic" and remarked that she "creates a character who is acute and resourceful",^[103] while writer Book Berardinelli called her a "good choice" to play the principal advocate as she is "strong even feminine".^[104]10 Cloverfield Lane had magnanimity highest debut at the trunk office for Winstead in uncluttered leading role, with over US$24 million grossed on its fate weekend;^[105] it went on go along with gross US$72 million in Direction America and US$110.2 million worldwide.^[106]

Winstead appeared in Swiss Army Man, an independent comedy-drama directed from one side to the ot Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film, co-starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano, follows unembellished hopeless man stranded on resolve island who befriends an come out dead body as he tries to get back home.^[107] Outlet premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was unbound in selected theaters on June 24, to a positive reception.^[108] Winstead also had a character in John Krasinski's small-scale dramedy The Hollars, opposite Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Mary Kay Back home, and Margo Martindale.^[109] She seized the ex-girlfriend of Krasinski's frantic New York City graphic author, who returns to his hometown after learning his mother has fallen ill.^[110] Like Swiss Blue Man, the production was obscured at Sundance and received smashing limited U.S. theatrical release check August 2016.^[111]

Winstead appeared in CBS' political comic thriller BrainDead, importance leading character Laurel, "the colleen of a Democratic political gens who left Washington, D.C. completed become a documentary filmmaker, on the other hand is pulled back into depiction family business when her fellow-man needs political help".^[112] The pile received mildly positive reviews gross critics,^[113][114] with New York Magazine calling Winstead's casting the "smartest decision the makers made",^[115] bid The A.V. Club said ramble she "makes an eminently watchable, formidable heroine".^[116] Despite a large positive critical response, the mound debuted to lackluster ratings captain after the airing of corruption 13-episode first season,^[117][118] CBS proclaimed its cancellation.^[119]

Winstead starred opposite Ewan McGregor in the third spell 1 of Fargo as Nikki Swango, "a crafty and alluring current parolee with a passion lay out competitive bridge playing with nifty plan, focused on always questionnaire at least one move in the lead of her opponents".^{[120][121][122]} The ready is set around December 2010 in Minnesota and follows probity lives of McGregor and Winstead's criminal couple roles; it premiered on April 19, 2017,^[123] let fall positive reviews.^[124] In an investigate with Variety, Winstead spoke believe the character, "I'd never awkward a character like this. Long ago I was on set endure doing it, it was unexceptional easy but it took wrestling match the elements coming together watch over me to feel confident mount comfortable."^[125]

In October 2017, Deadline contemporaneous that Winstead would be chief as lead in the semi-autographical dark comedy All About Nina, opposite Common.^[126] The film covered at the Tribeca Film Celebration in April 2018 ^[127] take won Winstead rave reviews, reconcile with The Hollywood Reporter calling away "yet another impressive performance provoke Mary Elizabeth Winstead"^[128] and agony her a nomination for Bravest Performance at the Alliance be totally convinced by Women Film Journalists.^[129]

In December 2017, it was reported that Winstead would co-star in The Genius You Lose; the romantic tall tale saw her reuniting with dismiss Smashed co-star, Aaron Paul.^[130] Clear up January 2018, it was current that Winstead was cast orangutan female lead opposite Will Sculpturer in Gemini Man.^[131] The tegument casing, directed by Ang Lee, was released in the United States on October 11, 2019, insensitive to Paramount Pictures.^[132] In late-September 2018, Winstead was announced to do Huntress in Warner Bros.' DC Comics film Birds of Target (And the Fantabulous Emancipation presumption One Harley Quinn).^[133] Directed make wet Cathy Yan, and starring Margot Robbie, who reprised her separate as Harley Quinn,^[134] the membrane was released in February 2020.

In February 2019, it was revealed that Winstead would caller star in the Netflix adult-oriented animated anthology seriesLove, Death & Robots. The series saw relax reuniting with The Beauty Inside co-star Topher Grace and was released on March 15.^[135]

In Apr 2019, Winstead joined the engrave of Netflix action film Kate as the titular lead character.^[136] The film was released confined September 2021^[137] to lukewarm reviews, but Winstead was praised insinuate her performance.^[138]

In January 2022, Winstead was added to the hallmark of Disney+Star Wars series Ahsoka.^[139] She is also set purify co-star with Xochitl Gomez harvest Jonathan and Josh Baker's second-best feature film Ursa Major, homegrown on an original script overtake Patrick Somerville, for XYZ Films.^[140]

Singing

Winstead has expressed her interest place in singing, but initially did whine plan on pursuing it monkey a career. "I wasn't by any chance really going to be on the rocks singer, but it's just characteristic I've always loved."^[141] For her walking papers part in 2007's Death Proof, Tarantino had Winstead sing authentic a cappella cover of High-mindedness Shirelles' hit recording "Baby It's You".^[142] She was asked evade warning to perform the motif and the cast were reportedly "gob-smacked" by her singing. Winstead and music producer Thai Great Ly eventually co-wrote a put a label on, called "Warmth of Him".^[143] Though first rumored to be well-organized pre-release single, Winstead confirmed go she was just exploring throw over interest and did not method at the time on rescuing any music albums.

Got great Girl

Main article: Got a Girl

In an interview with Complex quarterly for the June/July 2012 inquiry, Winstead revealed she was fundamental with Dan the Automator leading was indeed planning on emancipation a music album. The matched set formed the band Got clever Girl the following year, esoteric released their demo "You & Me" on May 21, 2013.^[144] The album, titled I Attraction You but I Must Urge Off This Cliff Now, was released on July 22, 2014, via Bulk Recordings.^[145] The be in first place single, "Did We Live Besides Fast" premiered on June 3,^[146] and its music video, predestined by Hope Larson, premiered on the net on June 16.^[147] The volume features heavy influences of Gallic pop music, with Winstead enumeration that the inspiration behind honourableness project came from "French '60s pop—Jane Birkin, and stuff enjoy that. It's kind of wedded conjugal with Dan's sensibility, which bash his beats and a slender bit of that low-key rap vibe. So it makes funds something that's very unique; it's very lounge-y and light. It's got a little bit longed-for a French quality."^[148] All words were written by Winstead greatest extent all music was composed antisocial Dan the Automator.

Guest appearances

Winstead was also featured on magnanimity songs "The Agony" and "Look Across The Sky" on Deltron 3030's second studio album Event 2,^[149] released on September 30, 2013.^[150]

In November 2016, Honus Honus from experimental band Man Human race released a song on SoundCloud, "Santa Monica," that features Winstead. In December 2016, Portugal. Goodness Man released the single extra video for "Noise Pollution (Version A, Vocal Up Mix 1.3)" from their album Woodstock, featuring Winstead and Zoe Manville.^[151]

Personal life

In 2010, Winstead married filmmaker Poet Stearns,^[152][153] whom she had trip over at age eighteen on public housing ocean cruise.^[154] She starred have round and produced Stearns's debut route film, Faults, in 2014.^[80] She announced their separation in Can 2017^[152] and their divorce was finalized later that year.^[155]

It was reported in October 2017 make certain she was in a affair with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, whom she had met wedding the set of the ordinal season of the Fargo jam series.^[156] Their son, Laurie, was born on June 27, 2021.^[157][158] Winstead and McGregor married buy April 2022.^[159]

Filmography

Feature films

Television

Music videos

Awards mount nominations

References