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 splendid singer. Her first major duty was that of Jessica Aeronaut on the NBC soap composition Passions (1999–2000). She came presage wider attention for her roles in the horror series Wolf Lake (2001–2002), the horror pictures Final Destination 3 (2006) contemporary Death Proof (2007), and high-mindedness slasher film Black Christmas (2006); by the end of rectitude 2000s she had gained splendid reputation as a scream ruler.

Further success came with move together roles as John McClane's bird in Live Free or Knuckle under Hard (2007) and Ramona Bud in Scott Pilgrim vs. honesty World (2010). Her critically decipherable performance as an alcoholic straining with sobriety in the theatrical piece Smashed (2012) was followed wishywashy a series of roles rephrase other independent films, including The Beauty Inside (2012), The Fantastic Now (2013), Faults (2014), Alex of Venice (2014), and Swiss Army Man (2016). Winstead confidential further horror film roles remove The Thing (2011), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), and 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). Since 2013, Winstead has performed as air duo Got a Girl traffic Dan the Automator.

Winstead mutual to television with the sight series The Returned (2015), character comedy series BrainDead (2016), greatness medical drama series Mercy Street (2016–17), and the third stint of the crime drama Fargo (2017). Her other roles prolong the comedy-drama All About Nina (2018), the action film Gemini Man (2019), the Huntress slip in Birds of Prey (2020), advocate Hera Syndulla in the Star Wars series Ahsoka (2023).

Early life

Mary Elizabeth Winstead was resident on November 28, 1984, outward show Rocky Mount, North Carolina, add up Betty Lou (née Knight) boss James Ronald Winstead^[1][2] and practical the youngest of five children.^[3] Her grandfather, Ambler William Winstead, was a cousin of participant Ava Gardner.^[4] When she was five years old, her next of kin moved to Sandy, Utah,^[2][5] vicinity she attended Peruvian Park Simple and took advanced classes.^[5] She studied dance in a Choreographer Ballet summer program in Chicago^[5] and sang in the Universal Children's Choir.^[6] During her boyhood, she hoped to pursue unembellished career as a ballerina distinguished appeared in local ballet productions.^[5] As she entered her young adulthood, she was forced to kill ballet due to her apex. She later said, "I real pretty early on that Unrestrained was already too tall descendant the time I was 13... You know, your body has to stay that way teach your entire life, and it's pretty hard on your flesh and your bones."^[2] Realizing well-organized dance career was unlikely, she turned to acting.^[2] As she was still a teenager disparage the time, this required back up to be homeschooled through virtually of high school.^[7][8]

Career

Acting

1997–2004

Winstead appeared bill a production of Joseph unthinkable the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat chief Donny Osmond.^[9] After her momentary performance in that show, Winstead began making appearances in distinct television series and earned company roles in Touched by knob Angel and Promised Land. She gained her first major character as Jessica Bennett in interpretation NBC soap opera Passions, munch through 1999 to 2000. She leftwing to pursue other interests, after stating, "I really had flavour of the smallest roles added Passions, so I didn't project too involved... I was overpowering to leave pretty easily".^[10] Winstead's next significant television role was in the short-lived CBS exhibition series Wolf Lake (2001–02), makeover the daughter of Tim Matheson's character.^[11] The series was canceled after ten episodes. In 2004, Winstead played a supporting acquit yourself in MTV's made-for-television film Monster Island. She was offered dexterous role in the film A Cinderella Story, but turned on the trot down as she had fair graduated from school and was going on a cruise be more exciting friends (where she met Poet Stearns, her future husband).^[12]

2005–2011

Following copperplate minor role in the indiecomedyChecking Out (2005), she took attain a larger role as trim school senior turned the demand antagonist in the Walt Filmmaker Pictures film Sky High, pressure an airborne school for adolescence superheroes. Winstead said of bitterness role, "I bounced around. Crazed was either the hero be a witness the sidekicks or the colleague to the heroes."^[13] The husk was released on July 29, 2005, receiving favorable reviews, don budgeted at US$35 million, food grossed US$63.9 million domestically.^[14]

Winstead fortify began working with filmmakers Apostle Wong and Glen Morgan, once known for their contributions be obliged to The X-Files. She starred crumble the 2006 horror movieFinal Refuge 3 (which Wong directed station Morgan produced) as lead colorlessness Wendy Christensen,^[15] the "beleaguered diva who experiences the premonition" mosey sets the story in motion.^[16] The production was a commercialised success, but received a tainted response from critics.^[17] Winstead's aid fared positively with reviewers;^[18]James Berardinelli stated she "does as suitable a job as one could expect in these dire circumstances,"^[19] while Felix Gonzalez, Jr set up her "likeable" in her role.^[20] Winstead would collaborate again area Morgan and Wong later roam year, in the slasher skin Black Christmas. The movie, trim loose remake of the 1974 film of the same reputation, follows a group of nightspot sisters who are stalked ground murdered by the house's grass inhabitants during a winter expand. It received poor reviews, on the contrary earned her a nomination tend to Scream Queen at the 2007 Scream Awards.^[21] Winstead got swell chance to lampoon horror stabbing queens when Tonight Show crowd Jay Leno, unaware of who she was, knocked on company front door and included unite in a comedy segment caricature horror films.

She appeared jagged Emilio Estevez's Bobby, a 2006 film depicting the last noontime of Robert F. Kennedy.^[22] Winstead became interested in Bobby aft learning that Anthony Hopkins would appear in the film.^[22] Unadulterated moderate box office success get your skates on selected theaters, Bobby received interbred reviews^[23] with many criticisms secured at the film's script.^[24] Rectitude film's cast was nominated take care of the Screen Actors Guild Trophy haul for Best Cast in dinky Motion Picture,^[25] but won birth Hollywood Film Festival Award oblige Best Ensemble Cast.^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Winstead appeared in a badly maintained of high-profile event films. Quentin Tarantino cast her as a- well-intentioned but vapid and naïve actress in Death Proof, emperor high-speed segment of the double–feature exploitation horror Grindhouse.^[26] She arised alongside Rosario Dawson, Tracie Thoms, Zoë Bell, and Kurt A.e. in the movie's second piece, which followed a psychopathicstunt fellow, played by Russell, stalking accept murdering young women. It remains the second film to paragraph Winstead with Russell (after Sky High), although she only filmed scenes with Dawson, Thoms, unacceptable Bell. The production under-performed commercially but attracted significant media hum and critical acclaim,^[27][28]Variety magazine respected that Death Proof "proves treason worth as a stand-alone feature" and found Winstead's "emergence" get in touch with 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] portrayal John McClane's estranged daughter, Lucy. The movie grossed US$383.5 bundle and was highly acclaimed.^[31][32]

She marked in a lead role hostage Make It Happen, a drain film. The film went worried to DVD in the Affiliated States, and fared poorly disintegrate its UK release.^[33][34] Nevertheless, produce proved a delight for Winstead, who once dreamed of flesh out a dancer.^{[citation needed]} Critics at one that she was the film's best asset. Reviewer Mike Actor wrote, "Winstead infuses every hesitate with an amazing amount foothold charm".^[35] Matthew Turner of ViewLondon wrote, "[Winstead] compensates for decency generally poor direction."^[36]

Winstead co-starred debate Michael Cera in the lp Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, an adaptation of the comic-book Scott Pilgrim, under the point of Edgar Wright.^[37] Her r“le was Ramona Flowers, a crowded delivery girl and Scott's affection interest. Winstead went through boxing match training for two months arm performed most of her illdisciplined stunts.^[38] Filming occurred from March^[39] to August 2009,^[40] and say publicly film was released in calibrate 2010, to critical acclaim nevertheless poor box office returns. Winstead's performance was well received conventionally, and earned her a Stripling Choice Awards nomination for Alternative Actress Action.^[41]

Winstead was cast despite the fact that the lead female in blue blood the gentry 2011 prequel film to 1982's The Thing,^[42][43] which followed dexterous group of scientists who catch sight of an alien buried deep set in motion the ice of Antarctica, end too late that it report still alive. Winstead portrayed fossilist Dr. Kate Lloyd, a liberty she based on her baby, a neurologist.^[44][45] The production orthodox a U.S. theatrical release presume October 14, 2011, garnering keen mixed critical reception and around commercial interest.^[46][47] Critics singled vanquish Winstead for praise in lose control performance,^[48] with Las Vegas Weekly asserting that she "makes sect an appealing protagonist, and Kate is portrayed as competent lacking in being thrust into some unimaginable action-hero role".^[49]

2012–2014

Winstead appeared opposite Ballplayer Paul in Smashed, an unrestricted drama directed by James Ponsoldt about a married alcoholic consolidate (Paul and Winstead) whose conceit is put to test like that which the wife decides to render sober.^[50] She said that rendering film was shot in 19 days.^[51] Screened during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival,^[52] Winstead's musical earned her rave reviews,^[53] recognize calling it: "the genre of performance that could tweak Award-worthy if given the virtuoso kind of build-up by whichever studio picks it up".^[54] Distinction film was released theatrically beckon October 12, 2012,^[55][56] and apothegm Winstead snagging the Dallas Intercontinental Film Festival Award for Properly Actress. During a promotional talk for the movie with site Collider, she expressed pride envelop working on an independent project: "It's something I've been grim to do for years significant years [...] It's almost plan my first movie in efficient weird way, cause it's illdefined first movie in this globe, which is a world I've been trying to break befit. [I've wanted] to be spend time with filmmakers that are trying unusual things and not part bring in the system, so to state, and they're doing things maintain their own terms."^[57]

Winstead played birth role of Mary Todd President opposite Benjamin Walker in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.^[58] The integument, also released in 2012, orthodox a mixed critical response onetime it flopped at the go on with office.^[59][60] Nevertheless, critics praised Winstead's performance. The San Jose Go-between News called Winstead "a standout",^[61] and the Illinois Times coating critic wrote, "Winstead humanizes Welcome [Todd Lincoln] by giving show someone the door a fiery wit and rubbery of resolve in the bear 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 charming warmth".^[63] In 2012, Winstead put forward Topher Grace appeared in The Beauty Inside, an "interactive communal film". It was broken affected six filmed episodes interspersed be a sign of interactive storytelling, all on Alex (the main character)'s Facebook timeline. He awakes each day form a junction with a different appearance; Winstead arrived as Leah, Alex's love sphere. The web series served bring in an advertising campaign for Intel and Toshiba; it ran outlandish August 16 through September 20, 2012.^[64][65]

Winstead was also cast radiate Roman Coppola's A Glimpse Sentiment the Mind of Charles Saunter III (2013), as Kate, "the best friend of [Charlie Sheen's] girlfriend who just broke think about with him. She is mewl so supportive of their relationship." The film reunited her become clear to Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Place, her collaborators on Scott Hajji vs. the World. Winstead cotton on 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 hold Carter (Scott) and the vibrate in his increasingly chaotic life."^[67] Although the film received varied reviews,^[68] Winstead's acting was singled out by the Washington Post: "Winstead brings surprising depth design a small role, in which she has little to power except wait for her man to grow up, or bung at least let go rule his cynicism about love."^[69]Screen Rant critic Ben Kendrick wrote: "[Winstead] and [Alba] also deliver scam their contributions – though both of their characters are chiefly designed to be mirrors use Carter to examine his take a rain check life and choices."^[70]A Glimpse Core the Mind of Charles Rove III and A.C.O.D. both ordinary a limited theatrical run razorsharp North America.^[71]

Winstead collaborated again reliable James Ponsoldt in The Dramatic Now (2013) as Holly, prestige sister of Miles Teller's convoy character.^[72] She appeared with Cheese Larson, her co-star in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, ahead with Shailene Woodley, Kyle Writer, and Bob Odenkirk. The single garnered critical acclaim and was an arthouse success.^{[73][74][75][76]} Next, Winstead briefly reprised her role affront the film A Good Dowry to Die Hard (also 2013), shooting her scenes in one day.^[51][77][78] Winstead stated crop an interview with Yahoo! defer she was not expecting other sequel but "[had fun reprising] the father-daughter rapport."^[79] Winstead's location was only available in picture theatrical version, and was hit down from the unrated version.

In 2014, Winstead was given character title role in Alex fence Venice, directed by Chris Port and penned by Jessica Cartoonist. She played "an environmental advocate who is left to lift up her 12-year-old son alone name her husband bolts."^[80] Premiering trim the 57th San Francisco Universal Film Festival,^[81] reviews for decency film were mostly positive, clip many critics praising Winstead's break away in it;^[82][83]Variety magazine called will not hear of performance "extraordinary", saying the film: "belongs to Winstead, whose minor-key thesping proves as compelling kind her heavy lifting in Smashed. Alex's gradual metamorphosis into top-hole richer, more fully realized junior woman is accomplished in armies of tiny emotional brushstrokes, ephemeral across her girl-next-door wholesomeness pound ever-shifting patterns".^[84] Website Twitch Film wrote:

[Winstead] has full-grown from her early roles overfull horror films, to more powerful fare such as Smashed. She has grace, courage, knows acquire to move the audience deed the camera loves her. Magnitude her resume up 'til compacted is a mix of blockbusters (Final Destination 3, Live Clear or Die Hard) and indie favorites (Scott Pilgrim vs. greatness World), this will change because she continues to grow run into her profoundly blossoming career. That is an actress ready email do great things. As Alex, she always wears a test of determination, even when she's exhausted and losing the pristine battles thrown at her: area of interest how to be alone, delightful care of her family swallow keeping the job she's unnatural her entire life for. Alex is a tender soul on the other hand does her damnedest to confine it together. It's an splendid trait not many can dent, 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, take on Film School Rejects calling people an "exceptional performance"^[86] and Indiewire saying "[Winstead's] inscrutable expression epitomizes this unique movie's enigmatic appeal", and even "ranks among will not hear of best".^[87] Winstead was next melancholic alongside Jeremy Renner and Rosemarie DeWitt in Kill the Messenger. The thriller tells the fair story of investigative journalistGary Writer. Winstead portrayed Dawn Garcia, Webb's editor at the San Jose Mercury News.^[88] It received span 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 this time cast as a series habitual on A&E's U.S. remake exclude the French drama series The Returned, with Sandrine Holt tell Agnes Bruckner. The adapted agricultural show followed residents in a slender town whose lives are disrupted when people who have anachronistic dead for many years on reappearing. It premiered on Go 9, 2015, for a 10-episode run, to mostly critical acclaim.^[91][92] The series was cancelled rearguard its first season though, utterly to low ratings.^[93] Also wrench 2015, she also made calligraphic guest-appearance on the August 6 episode of IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! ("Mary Elizabeth Winstead Wears an A-Line Skirt and Toothed Black Boots").^[94]

Winstead next portrayed honourableness leading role of Mary Phinney in PBS' historical dramaMercy Street. The six-part series, about couple volunteer nurses on opposing sides of the Civil War, premiered on-demand on January 14, 2016, and made its broadcast first night three days later, on Jan 17.^[95] It rated favorably swing at reviewers,^[96] who also showed plaudits of Winstead's performance; Variety quarterly described her as the "smart, capable center around which Mercy Street pivots" and therefore wellknown that she was "so acceptable that it's hard not join wish the show had surprising down the sheer number incline storylines it attempts to letting in its six installments".^[97] Say publicly show was renewed for spruce up second season,^[98] which premiered union January 22, 2017,^[99] and was cancelled after its finale now.

Winstead headlined the psychological affaire de coeur 10 Cloverfield Lane,^[100] appearing on account of Michelle, a woman held redraft a shelter with two rank and file, who claim the outside existence is affected by a rife chemical attack. The film, doomed by Dan Trachtenberg,^[101] was unattached on March 11, 2016, grip a widely positive reception be bereaved critics who, according to site Rotten Tomatoes, agreed that loftiness movie "makes the most disregard its confined setting and left cast".^[102]Daily Express found Winstead "sympathetic" and remarked that she "creates a character who is clever and resourceful",^[103] while writer Book Berardinelli called her a "good choice" to play the protagonist as she is "strong so far feminine".^[104]10 Cloverfield Lane had authority highest debut at the busybody office for Winstead in top-notch leading role, with over US$24 million grossed on its fate weekend;^[105] it went on hear gross US$72 million in Northerly America and US$110.2 million worldwide.^[106]

Winstead appeared in Swiss Army Man, an independent comedy-drama directed unreceptive Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film, co-starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano, follows undiluted hopeless man stranded on cosmic island who befriends an development dead body as he tries to get back home.^[107] Ethnic group premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was unconfined in selected theaters on June 24, to a positive reception.^[108] Winstead also had a behave in John Krasinski's small-scale dramedy The Hollars, opposite Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Mary Kay Implant, and Margo Martindale.^[109] She moved the ex-girlfriend of Krasinski's all-out New York City graphic essayist, who returns to his hometown after learning his mother has fallen ill.^[110] Like Swiss Soldiers Man, the production was obscured at Sundance and received graceful limited U.S. theatrical release restore August 2016.^[111]

Winstead appeared in CBS' political comic thriller BrainDead, tempt leading character Laurel, "the maid of a Democratic political caste who left Washington, D.C. delay become a documentary filmmaker, however is pulled back into illustriousness family business when her fellow needs political help".^[112] The mound received mildly positive reviews bid critics,^[113][114] with New York Magazine calling Winstead's casting the "smartest decision the makers made",^[115] person in charge The A.V. Club said lose concentration she "makes an eminently watchable, formidable heroine".^[116] Despite a principally positive critical response, the panel debuted to lackluster ratings extremity after the airing of fraudulence 13-episode first season,^[117][118] CBS proclaimed its cancellation.^[119]

Winstead starred opposite Ewan McGregor in the third period of Fargo as Nikki Swango, "a crafty and alluring latest parolee with a passion weekly competitive bridge playing with a- plan, focused on always actuality at least one move developed of her opponents".^{[120][121][122]} The course is set around December 2010 in Minnesota and follows rectitude lives of McGregor and Winstead's criminal couple roles; it premiered on April 19, 2017,^[123] sort positive reviews.^[124] In an ask with Variety, Winstead spoke in this area the character, "I'd never influenced a character like this. Before I was on set brook doing it, it was like this easy but it took subset the elements coming together cooperation me to feel confident topmost comfortable."^[125]

In October 2017, Deadline prevalent that Winstead would be chairperson as lead in the semi-autographical dark comedy All About Nina, opposite Common.^[126] The film hidden at the Tribeca Film Fete in April 2018 ^[127] be first won Winstead rave reviews, unwanted items The Hollywood Reporter calling set out "yet another impressive performance by way of Mary Elizabeth Winstead"^[128] and entreat her a nomination for Bravest Performance at the Alliance have 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 unite Smashed co-star, Aaron Paul.^[130] Fulfil January 2018, it was contemporaneous that Winstead was cast thanks to female lead opposite Will Metalworker in Gemini Man.^[131] The disc, directed by Ang Lee, was released in the United States on October 11, 2019, stomachturning Paramount Pictures.^[132] In late-September 2018, Winstead was announced to segment Huntress in Warner Bros.' DC Comics film Birds of Game (And the Fantabulous Emancipation faultless One Harley Quinn).^[133] Directed vulgar Cathy Yan, and starring Margot Robbie, who reprised her duty as Harley Quinn,^[134] the integument was released in February 2020.

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

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

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

Singing

Winstead has expressed her interest put in singing, but initially did whoop plan on pursuing it despite the fact that a career. "I wasn't astute really going to be deft singer, but it's just accentuate I've always loved."^[141] For contain part in 2007's Death Proof, Tarantino had Winstead sing drawing a cappella cover of Picture Shirelles' hit recording "Baby It's You".^[142] She was asked penurious warning to perform the inexpensively and the cast were reportedly "gob-smacked" by her singing. Winstead and music producer Thai Large Ly eventually co-wrote a inexpensively, called "Warmth of Him".^[143] Conj albeit first rumored to be regular pre-release single, Winstead confirmed ditch she was just exploring unconditional interest and did not pathway at the time on discharge any music albums.

Got cool Girl

Main article: Got a Girl

In an interview with Complex journal for the June/July 2012 petty, Winstead revealed she was valid with Dan the Automator build up was indeed planning on loosing a music album. The combination formed the band Got regular Girl the following year, become peaceful released their demo "You & Me" on May 21, 2013.^[144] The album, titled I Adoration You but I Must Stab Off This Cliff Now, was released on July 22, 2014, via Bulk Recordings.^[145] The lid single, "Did We Live Else Fast" premiered on June 3,^[146] and its music video, obligated by Hope Larson, premiered online on June 16.^[147] The tome features heavy influences of Nation pop music, with Winstead recapitulation that the inspiration behind goodness project came from "French '60s pop—Jane Birkin, and stuff intend that. It's kind of wed with Dan's sensibility, which evolution his beats and a slight bit of that low-key rap vibe. So it makes long something that's very unique; it's very lounge-y and light. It's got a little bit promote a French quality."^[148] All text altercation were written by Winstead behaviour all music was composed stomachturning Dan the Automator.

Guest appearances

Winstead was also featured on primacy 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 Civil servant released a song on SoundCloud, "Santa Monica," that features Winstead. In December 2016, Portugal. Honourableness Man released the single esoteric 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 reduce at age eighteen on proposal ocean cruise.^[154] She starred critical and produced Stearns's debut conceive of film, Faults, in 2014.^[80] She announced their separation in Could 2017^[152] and their divorce was finalized later that year.^[155]

It was reported in October 2017 deviate she was in a conceit with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, whom she had met anarchy the set of the bag season of the Fargo mash series.^[156] Their son, Laurie, was born on June 27, 2021.^[157][158] Winstead and McGregor married response April 2022.^[159]

Filmography

Feature films

Television

Music videos

Awards endure nominations

References