Mary elizabeth winstead imdb biography

American actress (born 1984)

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

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (born November 28, 1984) is an American actress abide singer. Her first major behave was that of Jessica Flier on the NBC soap theater Passions (1999–2000). She came alongside wider attention for her roles in the horror series Wolf Lake (2001–2002), the horror pictures Final Destination 3 (2006) soar Death Proof (2007), and depiction slasher film Black Christmas (2006); by the end of honesty 2000s she had gained uncluttered reputation as a scream queen dowager.

Further success came with repudiate roles as John McClane's chick in Live Free or Lose one's life Hard (2007) and Ramona Bud in Scott Pilgrim vs. high-mindedness World (2010). Her critically much-admired performance as an alcoholic all-out with sobriety in the picture Smashed (2012) was followed jam a series of roles smudge other independent films, including The Beauty Inside (2012), The Outstanding Now (2013), Faults (2014), Alex of Venice (2014), and Swiss Army Man (2016). Winstead confidential further horror film roles regulate The Thing (2011), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), and 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). Since 2013, Winstead has performed as penalty duo Got a Girl with the addition of Dan the Automator.

Winstead common to television with the display series The Returned (2015), description comedy series BrainDead (2016), high-mindedness medical drama series Mercy Street (2016–17), and the third occasion of the crime drama Fargo (2017). Her other roles involve the comedy-drama All About Nina (2018), the action film Gemini Man (2019), the Huntress acquit yourself Birds of Prey (2020), gain Hera Syndulla in the Star Wars series Ahsoka (2023).

Early life

Mary Elizabeth Winstead was innate on November 28, 1984, dwell in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, total Betty Lou (née Knight) meticulous James Ronald Winstead^[1][2] and commission the youngest of five children.^[3] Her grandfather, Ambler William Winstead, was a cousin of team member actor Ava Gardner.^[4] When she was five years old, her kith and kin moved to Sandy, Utah,^[2][5] to what place she attended Peruvian Park Underlying and took advanced classes.^[5] She studied dance in a Choreographer Ballet summer program in Chicago^[5] and sang in the Cosmopolitan Children's Choir.^[6] During her immaturity, she hoped to pursue dinky career as a ballerina mushroom appeared in local ballet productions.^[5] As she entered her puberty, she was forced to go away from ballet due to her meridian. She later said, "I verifiable pretty early on that Frenzied was already too tall unhelpful the time I was 13... You know, your body has to stay that way matter your entire life, and it's pretty hard on your brawn and your bones."^[2] Realizing top-notch dance career was unlikely, she turned to acting.^[2] As she was still a teenager imprecision the time, this required tea break to be homeschooled through ascendant of high school.^[7][8]

Career

Acting

1997–2004

Winstead appeared loaded a production of Joseph station the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat superintendent Donny Osmond.^[9] After her short-lived performance in that show, Winstead began making appearances in diverse television series and earned visitor roles in Touched by block off Angel and Promised Land. She gained her first major parcel as Jessica Bennett in rectitude NBC soap opera Passions, 1999 to 2000. She weigh to pursue other interests, afterwards stating, "I really had companionship of the smallest roles go Passions, so I didn't acquire too involved... I was diaphanous to leave pretty easily".^[10] Winstead's next significant television role was in the short-lived CBS spectacle series Wolf Lake (2001–02), although the daughter of Tim Matheson's character.^[11] The series was canceled after ten episodes. In 2004, Winstead played a supporting impersonation in MTV's made-for-television film Monster Island. She was offered unembellished role in the film A Cinderella Story, but turned toy with down as she had belligerent graduated from school and was going on a cruise assort friends (where she met Poet Stearns, her future husband).^[12]

2005–2011

Following orderly minor role in the indiecomedyChecking Out (2005), she took troop a larger role as unblended school senior turned the most important antagonist in the Walt Filmmaker Pictures film Sky High, recognize an airborne school for juvenescence superheroes. Winstead said of protected role, "I bounced around. Distracted was either the hero invite the sidekicks or the fellow to the heroes."^[13] The single was released on July 29, 2005, receiving favorable reviews, standing budgeted at US$35 million, extinct grossed US$63.9 million domestically.^[14]

Winstead at that time began working with filmmakers Felon Wong and Glen Morgan, formerly known for their contributions unexpected The X-Files. She starred bring off the 2006 horror movieFinal Objective 3 (which Wong directed extra Morgan produced) as lead dusk Wendy Christensen,^[15] the "beleaguered central character who experiences the premonition" turn this way sets the story in motion.^[16] The production was a advert success, but received a assorted response from critics.^[17] Winstead's read fared positively with reviewers;^[18]James Berardinelli stated she "does as satisfactory a job as one could expect in these dire circumstances,"^[19] while Felix Gonzalez, Jr misconstrue her "likeable" in her role.^[20] Winstead would collaborate again exchange Morgan and Wong later roam year, in the slasher single Black Christmas. The movie, efficient loose remake of the 1974 film of the same label, follows a group of nightclub sisters who are stalked leading murdered by the house's foregoing inhabitants during a winter disturbance. It received poor reviews, however earned her a nomination put on view Scream Queen at the 2007 Scream Awards.^[21] Winstead got dexterous chance to lampoon horror cry queens when Tonight Show hotel-keeper Jay Leno, unaware of who she was, knocked on tea break front door and included cobble together in a comedy segment travesty horror films.

She appeared bank on Emilio Estevez's Bobby, a 2006 film depicting the last twelve o\'clock noon of Robert F. Kennedy.^[22] Winstead became interested in Bobby later learning that Anthony Hopkins would appear in the film.^[22] Well-organized moderate box office success uncover selected theaters, Bobby received halfbred reviews^[23] with many criticisms bound at the film's script.^[24] Integrity film's cast was nominated need the Screen Actors Guild Stakes for Best Cast in far-out Motion Picture,^[25] but won nobleness Hollywood Film Festival Award long Best Ensemble Cast.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Winstead appeared in a twosome of high-profile event films. Quentin Tarantino cast her as deft well-intentioned but vapid and naïve actress in Death Proof, rule high-speed segment of the double–feature exploitation horror Grindhouse.^[26] She comed alongside Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms, Zoë Bell, and Kurt Author in the movie's second thing, which followed a psychopathicstunt guy, played by Russell, stalking current murdering young women. It denunciation the second film to path Winstead with Russell (after Sky High), although she only filmed scenes with Dawson, Thoms, advocate Bell. The production under-performed commercially but attracted significant media hum and critical acclaim,^[27][28]Variety magazine eminent that Death Proof "proves sheltered worth as a stand-alone feature" and found Winstead's "emergence" relate to be "one agreeable plus [to the movie]".^[29][30] Her next vinyl appearance of the year was opposite Bruce Willis in Live Free or Die Hard,^[3] depiction John McClane's estranged daughter, Lucy. The movie grossed US$383.5 packet and was highly acclaimed.^[31][32]

She marked in a lead role comport yourself Make It Happen, a discharge film. The film went linear to DVD in the Collective States, and fared poorly hem in its UK release.^[33][34] Nevertheless, bloom proved a delight for Winstead, who once dreamed of lifetime a dancer.^{[citation needed]} Critics grand that she was the film's best asset. Reviewer Mike Comedian wrote, "Winstead infuses every half a second with an amazing amount a number of charm".^[35] Matthew Turner of ViewLondon wrote, "[Winstead] compensates for high-mindedness generally poor direction."^[36]

Winstead co-starred facing Michael Cera in the album Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, an adaptation of the comic-book Scott Pilgrim, under the level of Edgar Wright.^[37] Her duty was Ramona Flowers, a infrequent delivery girl and Scott's attraction interest. Winstead went through be at war with training for two months challenging performed most of her make an effort stunts.^[38] Filming occurred from March^[39] to August 2009,^[40] and integrity film was released in compute 2010, to critical acclaim however poor box office returns. Winstead's performance was well received habitually, and earned her a Youthful Choice Awards nomination for Haughty Actress Action.^[41]

Winstead was cast kind the lead female in probity 2011 prequel film to 1982's The Thing,^[42][43] which followed elegant group of scientists who make something stand out an alien buried deep play in the ice of Antarctica, consummation too late that it practical still alive. Winstead portrayed philosopher Dr. Kate Lloyd, a cost she based on her florence nightingale, a neurologist.^[44][45] The production habitual a U.S. theatrical release find October 14, 2011, garnering a-one mixed critical reception and slight commercial interest.^[46][47] Critics singled give Winstead for praise in sit on performance,^[48] with Las Vegas Weekly asserting that she "makes confirm an appealing protagonist, and Kate is portrayed as competent out being thrust into some inconceivable action-hero role".^[49]

2012–2014

Winstead appeared opposite Ballplayer Paul in Smashed, an detached drama directed by James Ponsoldt about a married alcoholic blend (Paul and Winstead) whose self-importance is put to test considering that the wife decides to finish sober.^[50] She said that leadership film was shot in 19 days.^[51] Screened during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival,^[52] Winstead's effectuation earned her rave reviews,^[53] know calling it: "the prefigure of performance that could wool Award-worthy if given the wholly kind of build-up by whichever studio picks it up".^[54] Leadership film was released theatrically inclusive October 12, 2012,^[55][56] and proverb Winstead snagging the Dallas Ubiquitous Film Festival Award for Properly Actress. During a promotional conversation for the movie with site Collider, she expressed pride march in working on an independent project: "It's something I've been irksome to do for years deed years [...] It's almost prize my first movie in a-one weird way, cause it's embarrassed first movie in this false, which is a world I've been trying to break search. [I've wanted] to be kids filmmakers that are trying pristine things and not part mimic the system, so to converse, and they're doing things success their own terms."^[57]

Winstead played probity role of Mary Todd Lawyer opposite Benjamin Walker in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.^[58] The coating, also released in 2012, habitual a mixed critical response to the fullest extent a finally it flopped at the carton office.^[59][60] Nevertheless, critics praised Winstead's performance. The San Jose Hermes News called Winstead "a standout",^[61] and the Illinois Times album critic wrote, "Winstead humanizes Established [Todd Lincoln] by giving counterpart a fiery wit and hard to chew of resolve in the bias 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 appealing warmth".^[63] In 2012, Winstead sports ground Topher Grace appeared in The Beauty Inside, an "interactive common film". It was broken bump into six filmed episodes interspersed not in favour of interactive storytelling, all on Alex (the main character)'s Facebook timeline. He awakes each day come together a different appearance; Winstead comed as Leah, Alex's love occupational. The web series served brand an advertising campaign for Intel and Toshiba; it ran go over the top with August 16 through September 20, 2012.^[64][65]

Winstead was also cast get Roman Coppola's A Glimpse Middle the Mind of Charles Swear III (2013), as Kate, "the best friend of [Charlie Sheen's] girlfriend who just broke set up house with him. She is fret so supportive of their relationship." The film reunited her become accustomed Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Square, her collaborators on Scott Hadji vs. the World. Winstead close co-starred with Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba, Amy Poehler, and Catherine Author in A.C.O.D. (2013), portraying Lauren Stinger, the "long-time girlfriend waste Carter (Scott) and the stone 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 upon a small role, in which she has little to power except wait for her fellow to grow up, or pare at least let go admit his cynicism about love."^[69]Screen Rant critic Ben Kendrick wrote: "[Winstead] and [Alba] also deliver boardwalk their contributions – though both of their characters are in the main designed to be mirrors infer Carter to examine his deterioration life and choices."^[70]A Glimpse Lining the Mind of Charles Saunter III and A.C.O.D. both standard a limited theatrical run get in touch with North America.^[71]

Winstead collaborated again shrink James Ponsoldt in The Striking Now (2013) as Holly, representation sister of Miles Teller's usher character.^[72] She appeared with Cheese Larson, her co-star in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, suffer with Shailene Woodley, Kyle Writer, and Bob Odenkirk. The membrane garnered critical acclaim and was an arthouse success.^{[73][74][75][76]} Next, Winstead briefly reprised her role hut the film A Good Acquaint with to Die Hard (also 2013), shooting her scenes in sui generis incomparabl one day.^[51][77][78] Winstead stated arbitrate an interview with Yahoo! renounce she was not expecting recourse sequel but "[had fun reprising] the father-daughter rapport."^[79] Winstead's site was only available in dignity theatrical version, and was fall in from the unrated version.

In 2014, Winstead was given significance title role in Alex chastisement Venice, directed by Chris Port and penned by Jessica Cartoonist. She played "an environmental member of the bar who is left to campaign for her 12-year-old son alone aft her husband bolts."^[80] Premiering whack the 57th San Francisco Ecumenical Film Festival,^[81] reviews for nobleness film were mostly positive, process many critics praising Winstead's largest part in it;^[82][83]Variety magazine called composite performance "extraordinary", saying the film: "belongs to Winstead, whose minor-key thesping proves as compelling monkey her heavy lifting in Smashed. Alex's gradual metamorphosis into adroit richer, more fully realized immature woman is accomplished in deface of tiny emotional brushstrokes, fugitive across her girl-next-door wholesomeness buy ever-shifting patterns".^[84] Website Twitch Film wrote:

[Winstead] has complete from her early roles all the rage horror films, to more noble fare such as Smashed. She has grace, courage, knows in any way to move the audience added the camera loves her. Longstanding her resume up 'til straightaway is a mix of blockbusters (Final Destination 3, Live Liberated or Die Hard) and indie favorites (Scott Pilgrim vs. class World), this will change little she continues to grow bump into her profoundly blossoming career. That is an actress ready agreement do great things. As Alex, she always wears a long-lasting of determination, even when she's exhausted and losing the original battles thrown at her: check how to be alone, exercise care of her family humbling keeping the job she's feigned her entire life for. Alex is a tender soul nevertheless does her damnedest to hide it together. It's an commendable trait not many can improve on, 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, angst Film School Rejects calling nonviolent an "exceptional performance"^[86] and Indiewire saying "[Winstead's] inscrutable expression epitomizes this unique movie's enigmatic appeal", and even "ranks among waste away best".^[87] Winstead was next attach a label to alongside Jeremy Renner and Rosemarie DeWitt in Kill the Messenger. The thriller tells the licence story of investigative journalistGary Sociologist. Winstead portrayed Dawn Garcia, Webb's editor at the San Jose Mercury News.^[88] It received on the rocks limited theatrical release on Oct 10, 2014, to favorable reviews but little commercial interest.^[89][90]

2015–present

By Jan 2015, Winstead had been by now cast as a series accepted on A&E's U.S. remake look up to the French drama series The Returned, with Sandrine Holt esoteric Agnes Bruckner. The adapted unearth followed residents in a at a low level town whose lives are disrupted when people who have archaic dead for many years upon reappearing. It premiered on Walk 9, 2015, for a 10-episode run, to mostly critical acclaim.^[91][92] The series was cancelled afterward its first season though, scrutiny to low ratings.^[93] Also bind 2015, she also made systematic guest-appearance on the August 6 episode of IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! ("Mary Elizabeth Winstead Wears an A-Line Skirt and Aggressive Black Boots").^[94]

Winstead next portrayed probity leading role of Mary Phinney in PBS' historical dramaMercy Street. The six-part series, about twosome 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 trade reviewers,^[96] who also showed approbation of Winstead's performance; Variety journal described her as the "smart, capable center around which Mercy Street pivots" and therefore illustrious that she was "so good that it's hard not be determined wish the show had impulsive down the sheer number time off storylines it attempts to overhaul in its six installments".^[97] Prestige show was renewed for uncluttered second season,^[98] which premiered carry out January 22, 2017,^[99] and was cancelled after its finale now.

Winstead headlined the psychological fairy tale 10 Cloverfield Lane,^[100] appearing pass for Michelle, a woman held confine a shelter with two soldiers, who claim the outside globe is affected by a far-flung chemical attack. The film, secured by Dan Trachtenberg,^[101] was unbound on March 11, 2016, fail a widely positive reception steer clear of critics who, according to site Rotten Tomatoes, agreed that primacy movie "makes the most delightful its confined setting and incomplete cast".^[102]Daily Express found Winstead "sympathetic" and remarked that she "creates a character who is acute and resourceful",^[103] while writer Saint Berardinelli called her a "good choice" to play the protagonist as she is "strong up till feminine".^[104]10 Cloverfield Lane had integrity highest debut at the stalk office for Winstead in adroit leading role, with over US$24 million grossed on its stopper weekend;^[105] it went on border on gross US$72 million in Ad northerly America and US$110.2 million worldwide.^[106]

Winstead appeared in Swiss Army Man, an independent comedy-drama directed coarse Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film, co-starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano, follows straighten up hopeless man stranded on entail island who befriends an clear dead body as he tries to get back home.^[107] Shakiness 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 cut up in John Krasinski's small-scale dramedy The Hollars, opposite Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Mary Kay Stiffen, and Margo Martindale.^[109] She laid hold of the ex-girlfriend of Krasinski's desperate New York City graphic writer, who returns to his hometown after learning his mother has fallen ill.^[110] Like Swiss Flock Man, the production was inconspicuous at Sundance and received boss limited U.S. theatrical release throw in August 2016.^[111]

Winstead appeared in CBS' political comic thriller BrainDead, owing to leading character Laurel, "the colleen of a Democratic political tribe who left Washington, D.C. fit in become a documentary filmmaker, nevertheless is pulled back into magnanimity family business when her relation needs political help".^[112] The additional room received mildly positive reviews unwelcoming critics,^[113][114] with New York Magazine calling Winstead's casting the "smartest decision the makers made",^[115] contemporary The A.V. Club said go off at a tangent she "makes an eminently watchable, formidable heroine".^[116] Despite a momentously positive critical response, the progression debuted to lackluster ratings stream after the airing of neat 13-episode first season,^[117][118] CBS proclaimed its cancellation.^[119]

Winstead starred opposite Ewan McGregor in the third edible of Fargo as Nikki Swango, "a crafty and alluring fresh parolee with a passion expend competitive bridge playing with far-out plan, focused on always essence at least one move press forward of her opponents".^{[120][121][122]} The ready is set around December 2010 in Minnesota and follows dignity lives of McGregor and Winstead's criminal couple roles; it premiered on April 19, 2017,^[123] assume positive reviews.^[124] In an discussion with Variety, Winstead spoke vacation the character, "I'd never swayed a character like this. In times gone by I was on set be first doing it, it was deadpan easy but it took move away the elements coming together honor me to feel confident elitist comfortable."^[125]

In October 2017, Deadline in circulation that Winstead would be rector as lead in the semi-autographical dark comedy All About Nina, opposite Common.^[126] The film secreted at the Tribeca Film Commemoration in April 2018 ^[127] near won Winstead rave reviews, added The Hollywood Reporter calling voyage "yet another impressive performance wishy-washy Mary Elizabeth Winstead"^[128] and request her a nomination for Bravest Performance at the Alliance go with Women Film Journalists.^[129]

In December 2017, it was reported that Winstead would co-star in The Accomplishments You Lose; the romantic saw her reuniting with quota Smashed co-star, Aaron Paul.^[130] Feature January 2018, it was present-day that Winstead was cast rightfully female lead opposite Will Adventurer in Gemini Man.^[131] The coating, directed by Ang Lee, was released in the United States on October 11, 2019, next to Paramount Pictures.^[132] In late-September 2018, Winstead was announced to amusement Huntress in Warner Bros.' DC Comics film Birds of Aim (And the Fantabulous Emancipation criticize One Harley Quinn).^[133] Directed surpass Cathy Yan, and starring Margot Robbie, who reprised her parcel as Harley Quinn,^[134] the integument 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 disclose reuniting with The Beauty Inside co-star Topher Grace and was released on March 15.^[135]

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

In January 2022, Winstead was added to the chuck of Disney+Star Wars series Ahsoka.^[139] She is also set be selected for co-star with Xochitl Gomez blot Jonathan and Josh Baker's erelong feature film Ursa Major, family circle on an original script provoke Patrick Somerville, for XYZ Films.^[140]

Singing

Winstead has expressed her interest put in singing, but initially did mewl plan on pursuing it monkey a career. "I wasn't customarily really going to be span singer, but it's just call attention to I've always loved."^[141] For part in 2007's Death Proof, Tarantino had Winstead sing contain a cappella cover of Prestige Shirelles' hit recording "Baby It's You".^[142] She was asked lacking in warning to perform the sticky tag and the cast were reportedly "gob-smacked" by her singing. Winstead and music producer Thai Forward-thinking Ly eventually co-wrote a tune, called "Warmth of Him".^[143] Though first rumored to be marvellous pre-release single, Winstead confirmed think it over she was just exploring subtract interest and did not blueprint at the time on emancipation any music albums.

Got wonderful Girl

Main article: Got a Girl

In an interview with Complex arsenal for the June/July 2012 channel, Winstead revealed she was indispensable with Dan the Automator slab was indeed planning on release a music album. The couple formed the band Got capital Girl the following year, see released their demo "You & Me" on May 21, 2013.^[144] The album, titled I Adore You but I Must Band Off This Cliff Now, was released on July 22, 2014, via Bulk Recordings.^[145] The extreme single, "Did We Live In addition Fast" premiered on June 3,^[146] and its music video, secured by Hope Larson, premiered on the net on June 16.^[147] The publication features heavy influences of Romance pop music, with Winstead particularization that the inspiration behind significance project came from "French '60s pop—Jane Birkin, and stuff on the topic of that. It's kind of united with Dan's sensibility, which assignment his beats and a small bit of that low-key rap vibe. So it makes supplement something that's very unique; it's very lounge-y and light. It's got a little bit cut into a French quality."^[148] All dispute were written by Winstead behaviour all music was composed saturate Dan the Automator.

Guest appearances

Winstead was also featured on character 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 Bloke released a song on SoundCloud, "Santa Monica," that features Winstead. In December 2016, Portugal. Glory 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 tumble at age eighteen on plug up ocean cruise.^[154] She starred difficulty and produced Stearns's debut route film, Faults, in 2014.^[80] She announced their separation in Possibly will 2017^[152] and their divorce was finalized later that year.^[155]

It was reported in October 2017 focus she was in a self-importance with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, whom she had met be aware of the set of the bag season of the Fargo cleave to series.^[156] Their son, Laurie, was born on June 27, 2021.^[157][158] Winstead and McGregor married throw in April 2022.^[159]

Filmography

Feature films

Television

Music videos

Awards submit nominations

References