Jennifer Lawrence Bio
Jennifer Shrader Lawrence (born August 15, 1990) is an American actress and producer. She has starred in both action film franchises and independent dramas, and her films have grossed over $6 billion worldwide. The world’s highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016, she appeared in Time’s 100 most influential people in the world list in 2013 and the Forbes Celebrity 100 list from 2013 to 2016. Her accolades include an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Peabody Award.
Early Life and Background
Jennifer Shrader Lawrence was born on August 15, 1990, in Indian Hills, Kentucky, to Gary, a construction company owner, and Karen (née Koch), a summer camp manager. She has two older brothers, Ben and Blaine. Lawrence’s parents were not anticipating a child when she was conceived, and her mother once said, “We thought we were finished having kids. We got rid of the baby bed and everything.” The family owned a horse farm when she was a child, and Lawrence owned a horse named Muffin. Her mother raised her to be “tough” like her brothers, as she did not want Lawrence to be “a diva.” Even Lawrence admitted she was a “hyper” child. Lawrence was educated at the Kammerer Middle School in Louisville. She was raised as a Christian. Growing up, she was fond of horseback riding and frequently visited a local horse farm. Lawrence had her first acting assignment at age nine, playing a Ninevite prostitute in a church play based on the Book of Jonah. For the next few years, she continued taking parts in church plays and school musicals.
Path to Hollywood
At 14, Lawrence was on a family vacation in New York City when she was spotted on the street by a talent scout, who arranged for her to audition for talent agents. Her mother was not keen on her pursuing an acting career, but she briefly moved her family to New York to let Lawrence read for roles. After her first cold reading, the agents said that hers was the best they had heard from someone so young; however, her mother convinced her that they were lying. Lawrence signed with CESD Talent Agency, which convinced her parents to let her audition for roles in Los Angeles. She dropped out of school at 14 without receiving a General Educational Development (GED) or diploma. Lawrence has described herself as “self-educated” and said that her career was her priority.
Jennifer Lawrence Career
Early Career (2006–2011)
Lawrence began her acting career with a minor role in the television pilot Company Town (2006), which was never sold. She followed it with guest roles in several television shows, including Monk (2006) and Medium (2007). She received her first part as a series regular on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show, in which she played Lauren, the rebellious teenage daughter of a family living in suburban Louisville, Colorado. The series premiered in 2007 and ran for three seasons. In 2008, she made her film debut in the drama Garden Party, in which she played a troubled teenager named Tiff. Her breakthrough role came in Debra Granik’s independent drama Winter’s Bone (2010), where she portrayed a poverty-stricken teenager searching for her missing father. This role earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Breakthrough (2012–2015)
In 2012, Lawrence starred as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, an adaptation of the first book in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. The film’s success established her as a global star. Later that year, she played Tiffany Maxwell in David O. Russell’s romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the second-youngest winner in the category at age 22. In 2013, she reprised her role as Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which became her highest-grossing film, earning over $865 million worldwide.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jennifer Lawrence’s signature works include The Hunger Games series and Silver Linings Playbook, both of which contributed to her status as a leading actress in Hollywood. She has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.
Jennifer Lawrence Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Jennifer Lawrence has received multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, highlighting her talent and impact in the film industry.
Jennifer Lawrence Awards Won
Jennifer Lawrence has won several notable awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for American Hustle.
Jennifer Lawrence Family
Jennifer Lawrence is married to Cooke Maroney, an art gallery director, since October 19, 2019. The couple welcomed their son, Cy, in February 2022.
Personal Life
Jennifer Lawrence is known for her advocacy work, including founding the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation, which supports charities such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics. She is also an active member of the anti-corruption organization RepresentUs. Lawrence identifies as a feminist and has spoken out on various social issues, including gender pay equality and women’s reproductive rights.
