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Catherine Keener Biography

Birth Place:
Miami, Florida, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Began acting in college only after being shut out of a photography class
  • She signed up for a theater course instead
  • Worked in Hollywood as an assistant to casting director Gail Eisenstadt, who helped her land her first film role, a one-line part as a waitress in About Last Night (1986)
  • Met ex-husband Dermot Mulroney on the set of 1989's Survival Quest
  • Had breakthrough role in the 1991 indie comedy Johnny Suede opposite a then-unknown Brad Pitt
  • In the 1992 Seinfeld episode "The Letter," she played Jerry's artist girlfriend, who painted an infamous portrait of Kramer

Awards

  • 2017Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2011Independent Spirit Awards-Robert Altman Award: winner
  • 2009Independent Spirit Awards-Robert Altman Award: winner
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2008Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2008Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2007Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2006Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2005Chicago Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2005Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2005Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2005Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2005Boston Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2005National Society of Film Critics-Best Supporting Actress (Runner-up): winner
  • 2005Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2005Online Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2005Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2003Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1999New York Film Critics Circle-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1999Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1999Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1999Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1997Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated
  • 1993Independent Spirit Awards-Best Female Lead: nominated

Relationships