10 fun and interesting Annette Bening facts

1. Childhood Acting Inspiration

As a child, Annette Bening was the youngest of four children and grew up in Wichita, Kansas. Her family eventually moved to San Diego, California, where she had her first experience with acting in her junior high school's production of The Sound of Music. Annette was so captivated by the experience that she continued to pursue acting, eventually becoming an Academy Award-nominated actress.

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2. From comedy to drama

Annette Bening made her big screen debut in 1988 with the comedy "The Great Outdoors", starring Dan Aykroyd and John Candy. The following year, she starred alongside Colin Firth in the period drama "Valmont", based on the novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Her performance in the film earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama.

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3. Annette Bening's breakthrough role

Annette Bening had her breakthrough role in the 1990 movie "The Grifters", for which she earned her first of four Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance in the film was highly praised, and she was recognized for her talent and skill in the industry. Her nomination for the Academy Award was a major milestone in her career, and it opened the door for her to become one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.

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4. 1999's Best Actress

In 1999, Annette Bening starred in the critically acclaimed film "American Beauty", for which she received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Her performance was so impressive that she went on to win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress. This was her biggest role to date and marked a major milestone in her career.

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5. Annette Bening Shines in "Being Julia"

Annette Bening's performance in the 2004 film "Being Julia" was truly remarkable, earning her a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She played the title character, Julia, a role that showcased her immense talent and range as an actress. Her portrayal of Julia was so captivating that it earned her critical acclaim and recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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6. Emmy Nominee for Mrs. Harris

In 2005, Annette Bening was nominated for an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Jean Harris in the HBO feature production Mrs. Harris. Bening's performance was critically acclaimed, with many praising her ability to capture the nuances of the character and her powerful delivery of the emotional scenes. Her nomination was well-deserved, and she was a strong contender for the award.

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7. Stage Actress Turned Silver Screen Star

Before Annette Bening made her mark on the silver screen, she was a stage actress with the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She was a standout in the theater, and her performance as Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's classic tragedy was particularly memorable. Annette's portrayal of the ambitious and ruthless Lady Macbeth was praised by critics and audiences alike, and it was a major stepping stone in her career as an actress.

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8. Annette Bening Makes Her Broadway Debut

Annette Bening made her Broadway debut in 1987 with the play Coastal Disturbances, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Her performance was so impressive that it earned her a nomination for the prestigious award, which is one of the highest honors in the theater industry. Bening's debut on Broadway was a major milestone in her career, and it set the stage for her to become one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.

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9. A Talented Legend

In 2010, Annette Bening was honored with her second Golden Globe Award for her role in the critically acclaimed movie, "The Kids Are All Right". Her performance was also recognized with Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, further cementing her status as one of the most talented and respected actors of her generation.

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10. Annette Bening Wins Grammy for 'Mrs. Dalloway'

In 2012, Annette Bening lent her voice to the audiobook version of Virginia Woolf's classic tale "Mrs. Dalloway". Her performance was praised by critics for its nuanced delivery and her ability to capture the essence of Woolf's characters. Bening's performance was so well-received that it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album. This was a remarkable achievement for Bening, as she was able to bring the characters of Woolf's novel to life in a way that was both captivating and true to the original text.