Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Shrader Lawrence, born on August 15, 1990, is an American actress renowned for her roles in action film franchises and independent dramas. Her impressive portfolio of films has collectively grossed over $6 billion worldwide. Lawrence was the highest-paid actress in the world in both 2015 and 2016 and has been listed on Time's 100 most influential people in the world list in 2013 and the Forbes Celebrity 100 list from 2013 to 2016.


Lawrence's acting career began during her teenage years with guest roles on television. She rose to prominence as a main cast member on the sitcom "The Bill Engvall Show" (2007–2009). Her film debut came with a supporting role in the drama "Garden Party" (2008), followed by her breakthrough performance as a poverty-stricken teenager in the independent film "Winter's Bone" (2010). Lawrence became a household name portraying the mutant Mystique in the "X-Men" film series (2011–2019) and Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" film series (2012–2015), solidifying her status as the highest-grossing action heroine.


Notable collaborations with filmmaker David O. Russell resulted in critical acclaim and various accolades for Lawrence. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a troubled young widow in the romance "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), becoming the second-youngest winner in the category at age 22. Additionally, Lawrence received the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as an unpredictable wife in the black comedy "American Hustle" (2013). She also garnered Golden Globe Awards for both roles and for portraying businesswoman Joy Mangano in the biopic "Joy" (2015).


After a brief hiatus from acting due to media scrutiny and mixed reviews of her film choices, Lawrence returned with the streaming film "Don't Look Up" (2021), followed by producing and starring in the drama "Causeway" (2022) and the comedy "No Hard Feelings" (2023).
Beyond her acting career, Lawrence is a feminist and an advocate for women's reproductive rights. In 2015, she established the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation, which supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics. Lawrence founded the production company Excellent Cadaver in 2018 and is actively involved in the nonpartisan nonprofit anti-corruption organization RepresentUs, serving as a spokesperson in its efforts to protect democracy.


Jennifer Shrader Lawrence was born on August 15, 1990, in Indian Hills, Kentucky, to Gary and Karen Lawrence. Her father owned a construction company, while her mother managed a summer camp. Lawrence grew up with two older brothers, Ben and Blaine, and her mother raised her to be tough like her brothers, instilling a sense of resilience in her from a young age. She attended Kammerer Middle School in Louisville, where she participated in various activities such as cheerleading, softball, field hockey, and basketball, often playing on boys' teams coached by her father.


Despite her involvement in sports, Lawrence struggled with hyperactivity and social anxiety during her childhood, feeling like a misfit among her peers. However, she found solace in performing on stage, where her anxieties seemed to vanish, and she felt a sense of accomplishment. From a young age, Lawrence showed a passion for acting, participating in church plays and school musicals. She had her first acting role at the age of nine, playing a prostitute in a church play based on the Book of Jonah.


At 14, while on a family vacation in New York City, Lawrence was discovered by a talent scout on the street. Despite her mother's initial reservations, Lawrence's talent led her to audition for roles in New York, and she eventually signed with CESD Talent Agency. Rejecting offers for modeling, Lawrence was determined to pursue acting, which she felt was a natural fit for her abilities. She dropped out of school at 14 to focus on her acting career, describing herself as "self-educated" and prioritizing her professional pursuits.


Between acting jobs in New York City, Lawrence would return to Louisville to work as an assistant nurse at her mother's summer camp. Despite the challenges she faced early in her career and the sacrifices she made, Lawrence's dedication and talent eventually propelled her to become one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actresses.


Jennifer Lawrence began her acting career with a minor role in the television pilot Company Town (2006), although it was never sold. She then appeared in guest roles on various television shows, including Monk (2006) and Medium (2007). However, her breakthrough came when she landed a series regular role on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show (2007–2009), where she played Lauren, the rebellious teenage daughter of a suburban family. Lawrence received praise for her performance, with critics considering her a scene-stealer and praising her portrayal of teenage exasperation. In 2009, she won a Young Artist Award for her work on the show.


Lawrence made her film debut in the 2008 drama Garden Party, followed by her role in The Burning Plain (2008), where she played the teenage daughter of Kim Basinger's character. Despite some mixed reviews, her performance earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Emerging Actress at the 2008 Venice Film Festival. She also appeared in the music video for the song "The Mess I Made" by Parachute.


In 2010, Lawrence's breakthrough role came in Debra Granik's independent drama Winter's Bone. She portrayed 17-year-old Ree Dolly, a poverty-stricken girl in the Ozark Mountains searching for her missing father while caring for her family. Lawrence immersed herself in the role, learning various skills and spending time with the family the story was based on. Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, with critics praising her charisma and emotional depth. She received nominations for the Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, and Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming one of the youngest actresses to receive such recognition at the time. The film also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

References

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