Anna Kendrick is a firecracker actress and musical performer known for her spunky and quirky personality. At just 27-years-old, Kendrick has already been a part of more successful projects than many will experience throughout their whole career. Anna has starred in several films that have skyrocketed her from a Broadway star to a full blown Hollywood celeb.
Starting Off with a Bang
Kendrick began her career at just 10-years-old, traveling by bus from Maine to NYC to audition for Broadway shows. At just age 12, she’d already landed a spot in the musical High Society. Her portrayal of Dinah earned her a Tony Award nomination, making her the third youngest nominee in history.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Kendrick recalls just how different she was from her peers in the audition room for a shampoo commercial:
“There was a roomful of kids and they taught us this jingle which we all had to sing. I remember looking around: everyone seemed so thrilled to be singing it. Then the casting director stopped us and said, ‘Anna, can you smile more please? You don’t seem like you’re very happy.’ I wasn’t so good at doing that cheesy little kid thing. At least now when I go on David Letterman, they don’t have some embarrassing clip of me singing a shampoo jingle.”
She then went on to star in several other Broadway shows until she finally burst onto the big screen with her feature film debut in the 2003 independent musical comedy, Camp. Kendrick, who gained recognition for her stellar performance, received several nominations including a Chlotrudis Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and an Independent Spirit Award for ‘Best Debut Performance.’ Taking a four year hiatus, Anna starred in Rocket Science (2007) where she was once again nominated for an Independent Spirit award for ‘Best Supporting Actress.’
The Twilight Sensation
Audiences really began to notice Kendrick when she starred as Jessica Stanley in the 2008 film adaptation of Twilight. Jessica was funny and awkward, took a liking to the new girl in school, and best of all, she was someone everyone wanted to be friends with. Although the role was small, it was certainly the boost that perpetuated her career and eventual stardom.
Kendrick the received her big break in 2009 starring opposite George Clooney in the Jason Reitman directed film adaptation of Up in the Air. The film was a huge success, pulling in over $150 million at the box office. Kendrick was nominated for several awards that year including The Golden Globes, The Screen Actors Guild and The Academy Awards.
Starring along side George Clooney, you’d think Kendrick would fall head over heels for the Hollywood fox. But in an interview with AskMen, Kendrick revealed that she and Clooney had a much different relationship:
We have more of a father-daughter relationship in the film. And I think George is really smart and he cares about the movie. So we almost cultivated that relationship in real life too. George, at one point, set an age limit on boys I was allowed to date. We got along really well and he’s unbelievably sweet. So it wouldn’t even occur to me to have a crush on him.
A Maturing Actress
While continuing to star in the Twilight sequels, Kendrick began choosing slightly more indie projects. In 2010, Anna played Scott’s sister in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. She then starred in 50/50 (one of my personal favorites) as Adam’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) young and inexperienced therapist. Anna matured from her previous young-adult characters into a more serious and professional role but still maintained a sense of energetic youthfulness.
Continuing to mature, Anna starred in the 2012 film adaptation of What to Expect When You’re Expecting as a new mother who suffers a miscarriage. Most recently, she lent her voice to the animated film, Paranorman and starred in Robert Redford’s political action thriller, The Company You Keep. Coming out later this September, is crime drama, End of Watch in which Anna will star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. Getting back to her roots of musical theater, Anna will star in the lead role of musical comedy Pitch Perfect also in theaters this September.
Related: ‘ParaNorman’ Movie Review – One of the Year’s Best Animated Films
Why We Love Her
Anna Kendrick is a sprightly, beautiful, and passionate actress who shows no signs of slowing down in her acting career. It seems every project she becomes a part of turns to gold as she’s recieved nominations for nearly every role. Aside from her obvious acting abilities, Kendrick has gained popularity among fans because of her down-to-earth persona. In a world where celebs are constantly caught being less than exemplary citizens, it’s refreshing to know there’s still some talented and humble actors, like Anna Kendrick, out there.
Anna Kendrick’s Filmography/Upcoming Films:
- Drinking Buddies (2013)
- Get a Job (2013)
- Rapturepalooza (2012)
- Pitch Perfect (2012)
- End of Watch (2012)
- The Company You Keep (2012)
- Paranorman (2012)
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012)
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2011)
- 50/50 (2011)
- Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010)
- The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
- New Moon (2009)
- Up in the Air (2009)
- The Marc Pease Experience (2009)
- Elsewhere (2009)
- Twilight (2008)
- Rocket Science (2007)
- Camp (2003)
‘Pitch Perfect’ Movie Trailer
Interview with Anna Kendrick
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