10 fun and interesting Sarah Polley facts

1. A Star Since Age Four

At the tender age of four, Sarah Polley made her debut on the big screen in the Disney classic, "One Magic Christmas". She played the role of Molly, a young girl whose faith in the spirit of Christmas helps her family overcome their struggles. This was the start of a long and successful career for Sarah, who has since gone on to star in numerous films and television shows, as well as direct and write her own projects.

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2. From show-business family to Oscar-nominee

Sarah Polley comes from a show-business family; her father Michael Polley and mother Diane Polley both had careers in the industry. Michael acted alongside Sarah in the 1988 film “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” and the 1990 TV series “Avonlea”, while Diane was a casting director and actress. Sarah has certainly inherited her parents' talent and passion for the entertainment industry.

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3. 11-Year-Old Sarah Polley Shines in 'Lantern Hill'

At the age of 11, Sarah Polley made a major career shift from child actress to adult actor with her role in the 1989 TV film “Lantern Hill”. Her performance was so impressive that she won a Gemini Award for it, cementing her place in the entertainment industry.

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4. 11-Year-Old Sarah Polley Cast in Lead Role in 1990 TV Series "Avonlea"

At the tender age of 11, Sarah Polley was cast in the lead role of Sara Stanley in the 1990 TV series “Avonlea”, based on the works of Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. This role catapulted Polley into the league of top-ranking Canadian TV stars and, by the age of 14, she had become independently wealthy. Her success in this role was so great that it enabled her to become one of the most successful Canadian actors of her generation.

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5. Sarah Polley, 12, Opposes Gulf War with Peace Sign

At the tender age of 12, Sarah Polley made a bold statement of protest against the Gulf War by wearing a peace sign to an awards ceremony. Despite pressure from Disney executives to remove it, Sarah refused, thus beginning a tumultuous relationship with the company. In 1994, Sarah decided to move on from her role in the Disney show "Road to Avonlea" in order to pursue other opportunities.

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6. 15-Year-Old Sarah Polley Protests Against Mike Harris

At the age of 15, Sarah Polley was already an activist, protesting against the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris in 1995. Unfortunately, her peaceful protest was met with violence when a riot police officer struck her, resulting in the loss of two of her back teeth. Despite this, Polley has continued to be an outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights.

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7. Sarah Polley Quits Acting, Focuses on Politics.

After earning a second Gemini Award for her role in the 1991 TV series “Straight Up”, Sarah Polley made the bold decision to quit acting and high school and focus her attention on politics. This was a major shift for the young actress, who had already achieved success in the entertainment industry at such a young age. Despite the risks, Sarah was determined to pursue her passion for politics and has since become an influential voice in the Canadian political landscape.

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8. "It-Girl" of the Entertainment Industry

In 1999, Sarah Polley was crowned the "it-girl" of the entertainment industry following the release of her critically acclaimed film, "Guinevere". Her performance in the movie earned her widespread recognition and praise from the media, leading to her being crowned the "it-girl" of the entertainment world. Her performance in the movie was praised for its depth and complexity, and she was lauded for her ability to bring the character to life. Her newfound fame and recognition led to her being featured in numerous magazines and television shows, further cementing her status as the "it-girl" of the entertainment industry.

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9. Low-budget choice pays off

When Sarah Polley was presented with the opportunity to act in either John Greyson's Canadian film "The Law of Enclosures" or Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" in 2000, she chose the former despite its much smaller budget of CDN$1.5M compared to the US$60M budget of the latter. Polley's decision to take on the role in the low-budget Canadian film was a testament to her commitment to her home country's film industry.

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10. Sarah Polley Makes Her Directorial Debut with "Stories We Tell"

In 2012, Sarah Polley made her directorial debut with the feature-length documentary film "Stories We Tell". The film premiered at the Venice Festival that same year and was met with critical acclaim, receiving the Best Canadian Film of the Year award from the Toronto Film Critics Association. Polley's debut documentary was a success, and it has since become a beloved classic.