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Michelle Pfeiffer Biography

Birth Name:
Michelle Marie Pfeiffer
Birth Place:
Santa Ana, California, United States
Profession
Actor, singer, producer

Fast Facts

  • A high-school drama class spurred her interest in acting
  • Entered---and won---the Miss Orange County (CA) contest in 1978 so she could meet one of the judges, who was a Hollywood agent
  • Turned down several high-profile parts, including Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (which won Jodie Foster an Oscar) and Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct, a role that went to Sharon Stone
  • Appeared in Coolio's video for "Gangsta's Paradise," from the soundtrack to her 1995 film Dangerous Minds
  • Named "Woman of the Year" by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals in 1995
  • Starred in 1996 drama To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, which was penned by her husband, TV writer/producer David E
  • Kelley
  • Starting in 2003, took a four-year hiatus from acting to spend more time with her family
  • Returned to the big screen in 2007 with I Could Never Be Your Woman, and subsequently starred in Hairspray (2007) and Chéri (2009)

Awards

  • 2021Canadian Screen Awards-Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2021Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie: nominated
  • 2008Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2007Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2002Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1993Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actress: winner
  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1992Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1991BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1990BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1989National Board of Review-Best Actress: winner
  • 1989New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actress: winner
  • 1989Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1988Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Actress: winner
  • 1988Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated

Relationships