Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver first came to the attention of audiences and critics alike for her critically acclaimed performance in "Circle of Friends," in which she starred with Chris O'Donnell. She went on to earn Oscar and Screen Actors Guild nominations, both in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance in Miramax's award-winning feature "Good Will Hunting," directed by Gus Van Sant. In March 1998, Driver was honored with the prestigious Female Star of Tomorrow Award at ShoWest. Driver has won over audiences in both film and television, and received nominations for an Emmy Award in 2007 and a Golden Globe Award in 2008 for her role as 'Dahlia Molloy' on the critically acclaimed FX series "The Riches" opposite Eddie Izzard.
Driver will next be seen in the Fox Searchlight feature film "Betty Anne Waters" with Hilary Swank, Melissa Leo and Sam Rockwell. The film, scheduled for release in fall 2010, centers on an unemployed single mother (Swank) who saw her brother begin serving a life sentence in 1983 for murder and robbery. Convinced that he was innocent, she earned a law degree and challenged the conviction with DNA evidence, resulting in her brother being freed in 2001. Driver plays "Abra," Swank's law school friend who helps her with the brother's case.
She recently wrapped production on feature film "Barney's Version," in which she stars opposite Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman. Based on the novel by Mordecai Richler, the film's title character has led a reckless life highlighted by three marriages, two children and status as a "person of interest" in the mysterious disappearance of his best friend. Driver plays "Mrs. P," the second wife of title character Barney Panofsky (Giamatti).
Driver also recently completed "The Deep," BBC's five-part thriller set thousands of feet below the arctic ice. The series, also starring Goran Visnjic and James Nesbitt, will premiere in 2010.
In addition to her starring role in FX's "The Riches," Driver was recently seen in the independent film "Take," which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.
In July 2007, Minnie released her second studio album "SEASTORIES," showcasing her ethereal vocals and lush guitars. The album also features performances from Ryan Adams and his backing band The Cardinals, as well as indie queen Liz Phair.
Driver lent her vocals to the original title track, "Learn to be Lonely," written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, for the 1995 feature film version of the musical composer's "The Phantom of the Opera," directed by Joel Schumacher. Driver starred in the film as 'Carlotta,' the reigning opera house diva, and received critical praise for her performance including a nomination by the London Critics Circle in the category Best British Actress in a Supporting Role. The Warner Brothers film was nominated for a Golden Globe for Outstanding Film: Musical or Comedy. "Learn to be Lonely," which plays over the end credits of the film, was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar in the "Best Original Song" category.
Driver, who has been a singer and songwriter for years, released her debut album "Everything In My Pocket" in 2004. The atmospheric pop album gained critical praise from the music community. Said Daryl Morden at The Hollywood Reporter, "Driver comes off more honest-a singer-songwriter with a genuine, organic sound..." said music critic. Driver toured with the Finn Brothers in the UK in 2004 and headlined her own sold out tour in the US and the UK.
In the 2003-2004 television season she made several guest appearances on NBC's "Will & Grace" as "Lorraine Finster," and became a favorite of critics and fans.
In 2003, Driver appeared on stage at London's Comedy Theatre with Matthew Perry and Hank Azaria in David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago." The play broke the record for the largest box-office advance for a West End show. The same year Driver also was seen co-starring with Phillip Seymour Hoffman in "Owning Mahowny," a dark comedy which was directed by Richard Kwietniowski. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and was also screened at the Berlin Film Festival. She also appeared in Buena Vista International's "Hope Springs," opposite Colin Firth.
Building her career on diverse roles, Driver received accolades for her performance in the critically praised dark comedy "Grosse Pointe Blank"; moved audiences with her performance in the love story "Return To Me"; co-starred with Cate Blanchett, Rupert Everett and Julianne Moore in the feature version of Oscar Wilde's play "An Ideal Husband"; provided the voice of Jane in the Walt Disney animated feature "Tarzan." Her additional film credits include "High Heels and Low Lifes" directed by Mel Smith, "The Governess," "Beautiful," directed by Sally Field and co-produced by Two Drivers Productions (the company Minnie formed with her sister Kate), "Big Night," directed by Stanley Tucci, "Ella Enchanted" starring Anne Hathaway, "Sleepers," alongside Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt and Dustin Hoffman and directed by Barry Levinson and the James Bond thriller "Goldeneye."
The British actress has amassed an impressive list of television and theater credentials, including numerous projects for the BBC and theatrical productions of The Comedy of Errors, The Married Man, School for Scandal and Camino Real.
Driver is a spokesperson for the international aid agency OXFAM. In 2004, she traveled to Cambodia and Thailand to bring attention to how backward practices of the garment industry affect the poverty stricken workforce.
Driver currently resides in Los Angeles.
