Rooney Mara

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2 Mar 2024

Rooney Mara

Patricia Rooney Mara, born on April 17, 1985, is an American actress known for her impressive career and philanthropic endeavors. She hails from the esteemed Rooney and Mara families and embarked on her acting journey with television and independent film projects, including the coming-of-age drama "Tanner Hall" in 2009.
Mara's breakthrough came with her supporting role in David Fincher's acclaimed drama "The Social Network" in 2010. However, it was her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in Fincher's thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in 2011 that truly propelled her to stardom. This role earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Her career continued to flourish with leading roles in notable films such as the thriller "Side Effects" (2013), the science fiction romance "Her" (2013), and the romantic drama "Carol" (2015), all of which received critical acclaim and achieved commercial success. Mara's performance in "Carol" garnered her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and another Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress.
Subsequently, Mara appeared in diverse projects including the biographical drama "Lion" (2016), the supernatural drama "A Ghost Story" (2017), and the biblical drama "Mary Magdalene" (2018), where she portrayed the titular character.

After a brief hiatus, Mara returned to the screen with roles in the psychological thriller "Nightmare Alley" (2021) and the drama "Women Talking" (2022).
Beyond her acting career, Mara is actively involved in philanthropy and heads the Uweza Foundation, which supports empowerment programs for children and families in Nairobi's Kibera slum. Additionally, she founded the vegan clothing line Hiraeth Collective.
In her personal life, Mara is in a relationship with actor Joaquin Phoenix, with whom she shares a son.

Rooney Mara, born on April 17, 1985, grew up in Bedford, New York, within a prestigious sporting family. Her lineage includes the founders of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants. Her father, Timothy Christopher Mara, holds a senior position with the New York Giants, while her mother, Kathleen McNulty Mara, works part-time as a real estate agent. Rooney is the third of four children, with siblings Daniel, Kate (also an actress), and Conor.
With a rich heritage blending Irish, German, French-Canadian, and Italian ancestry, Mara's familial connections span from sports to entertainment and business. Her maternal grandfather, Timothy James Rooney, has long overseen Yonkers Raceway & Empire City Casino. Rooney's lineage includes prominent figures such as her great-grandfathers, New York Giants founder Tim Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., as well as her granduncle Dan Rooney, who served as chairman of the Steelers and as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

After graduating from Fox Lane High School in 2003, Mara embarked on an enlightening journey through South America with the Traveling School, before enrolling at George Washington University and later transferring to New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. There, she delved into psychology, international social policy, and nonprofits, earning her degree in 2010.
Mara's passion for acting was ignited by childhood experiences of watching musical theatre and classic films alongside her mother. Despite initial hesitations, Mara ultimately pursued acting, inspired by her sister Kate's career. Her journey began with small roles in student films at NYU, leading to her first professional auditions at nineteen.

Throughout her career, Mara has garnered acclaim for her roles in various films, earning nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Award. Beyond her acting endeavors, Mara is involved in philanthropy, including her leadership of the Uweza Foundation, which supports empowerment programs for families in Nairobi's Kibera slum. Additionally, she has founded the vegan clothing line Hiraeth Collective.
In her personal life, Mara is in a relationship with actor Joaquin Phoenix, with whom she shares a son.

Rooney Mara's early career saw her taking on various roles in both television and film, gradually making her mark in the industry. She initially appeared as an extra in films featuring her sister, including a bit-part in the 2005 horror film "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary." Mara's professional acting debut came in a 2006 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," where she portrayed a girl involved in bullying overweight children. Subsequently, she guest-starred on shows like "Women's Murder Club" and "The Cleaner," showcasing her versatility by playing diverse characters.

In her feature film debut "Dream Boy" (2008), Mara began to establish herself in the industry. She further honed her craft with guest appearances on NBC's "ER" and her first lead role in the coming-of-age film "Tanner Hall" (2009), where she portrayed Fernanda, a young woman entangled in a complicated affair. This role marked a turning point in Mara's career, prompting her to drop her first name 'Patricia' and adopt her middle name professionally, finding 'Rooney' more fitting and memorable.

Continuing to explore different genres, Mara appeared in Miguel Arteta's comedy-drama "Youth in Revolt" (2009) and the independent films "Dare" and "The Winning Season," both premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. Mara's versatility and talent earned her recognition as one of Filmmaker magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film."
In 2010, Mara took on the challenging role of Nancy Holbrook in the remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Despite her performance being praised, Mara later expressed dissatisfaction with the experience, even questioning her desire to continue acting.
Throughout these formative years in her career, Mara demonstrated her commitment to her craft and her willingness to take on diverse roles, paving the way for her subsequent successes and critical acclaim in the years to come.

Rooney Mara's career reached new heights in 2010 with her standout performances in two highly acclaimed films.
In David Fincher's "The Social Network," Mara portrayed Erica Albright, the ex-girlfriend of Mark Zuckerberg. Her role in the biographical drama earned her widespread recognition and showcased her ability to deliver nuanced performances in complex characters.
However, it was Mara's portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in Fincher's adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" that truly solidified her as a versatile and talented actress. Despite facing stiff competition during auditions, Mara won the coveted role after an extensive audition process. Her commitment to the character was evident in her physical transformation, including cutting and dyeing her hair, multiple piercings, and undergoing intense training to accurately portray the enigmatic hacker.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" was not merely a remake but a fresh interpretation of Stieg Larsson's novel, and Mara approached the role with a determination to offer her unique perspective. Her immersive portrayal garnered universal acclaim from critics, earning her nominations for prestigious awards like the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress.
In the subsequent years, Mara continued to impress audiences with her diverse roles. She was considered for Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" and later starred in Spike Jonze's "Her" (2013) and Steven Soderbergh's "Side Effects" (2013), showcasing her versatility across different genres. Additionally, her involvement in projects like "Ain't Them Bodies Saints" (2013) and becoming the face of Calvin Klein's fragrance "Down Town" further established her as a prominent figure in Hollywood.