Jennifer Westfeldt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Jennifer Westfeldt
JenniferWestfeldtxxttyyu.jpg
Born (1970-02-02) February 2, 1970 (age 43)
Guilford, Connecticut
Nationality American
Alma mater Yale University
Occupation Actress and writer
Partner(s) Jon Hamm (1997–present)
Website
www.jenniferwestfeldt.com

Jennifer Westfeldt (born February 2, 1970) is an American actress and screenwriter known for the 2001 hit independent film Kissing Jessica Stein, her 2004 Tony nomination for Wonderful Town, and her 2012 film Friends with Kids.

Contents

Early life[edit]

Westfeldt was born in Guilford, Connecticut, the daughter of Constance "Connie" (née Meyers), a therapist, and Patrick McLoskey Westfeldt, Jr., an electrical engineer.[1][2][3] Westfeldt's mother is Jewish and she identifies as Jewish.[4] Through her father, she is a descendant of the untitled family of Wästfelt in the nobility of Sweden.[5] She graduated from Guilford High School and attended Yale University, where she sang with the a cappella group Redhot & Blue.[6]

Acting career[edit]

Jennifer started her career as a New York-based theater actor, and has starred in over 25 Off-Broadway and regional productions. She first came to Hollywood in 1997.[7] That year, she co-wrote and starred in an Off-Broadway play with Heather Juergensen called "Lipschtick: The Story of Two Women Seeking The Perfect Shade" that caught the attention of Hollywood studios. It was optioned by Radar Pictures to be made into "Kissing Jessica Stein", in which Westfeldt and Juergensen starred.[7] Jennifer is also well known for her most recent film "Friends with Kids", in which she starred, produced and made her directorial debut. Westfeldt is also a veteran television actress and has held roles in a diverse selection of shows.

In 2001, Jennifer appeared in her breakthrough role as Jessica in Kissing Jessica Stein. Fox Searchlight released it to critical acclaim in March 2002.[7] The film was an extended version of one of the sketches Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen had written for Lipschtick.[8] For this role, Jennifer won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Actress in A Comedy, an Indie Spirit nomination for Best First Screenplay with Juergensen, and a Special Jury Prize for Writing and Acting at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.[9] The film also won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, the Audience Favorites Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Miami Film Festival, Best Feature at the Louisville Jewish Film Festival, and the GLAAD Media Award. In 2004, Westfeldt starred opposite Paul Schneider in the film How to Lose Your Lover. Westfeldt wrote, produced, and starred alongside Chris Messina in Ira and Abby, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2006, and was released by Magnolia Pictures in September 2007. Jennifer won Best Actress at The HBO US Comedy Arts festival for her performance as Abby, and the film won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival, the Jury Prize for Best Feature at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, and the Audience Award at The Boston Jewish Film Festival. In 2011, she wrote, produced, starred and made her directorial debut in[7] Friends with Kids. The all-star cast also included Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Chris O'Dowd, Megan Fox and her boyfriend Jon Hamm. The film was a breakout hit at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2011, and was released by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions in March 2012.[7] Some of the movie was shot on Bergen Street in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

Jennifer was cast in a series regular role for Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place alongside Ryan Reynolds, Traylor Howard and Richard Ruccolo during its first season on ABC in 1997. In 2001 she was featured in three episodes of Judging Amy. In 2007, Jennifer was cast as the lead of ABC's Notes From The Underbelly, directed and executive produced by Barry Sonnenfeld. Notes ran for two seasons on ABC. Her recent television credits include memorable arcs on ABC's hit Grey's Anatomy, as well as starring in the TV movie Before You Say I Do opposite David Sutcliffe.[10] Additional television credits include appearances in 'The Gene Pool', 'Dante', Hack, Snoops, 'The Untitled New York Project' and Numb3rs. In 2010, she was a guest star for the show 24 for the eighth season. She first appeared in the first four episodes of the season, which aired January 17, 2010 and January 18, 2010 and returned to the season in the final episodes of the series.[7] She provided the voice of Kit Luntayne in the Martha Speaks episodes: Cora! Cora! Cora! and Cora Encore!

A veteran theater actress, Jennifer has starred in over 25 Off-Broadway and regional productions.[11] She made her 2004 Broadway debut in a revival of Wonderful Town.[11] Her performance won her a Theatre World Award,Drama League Award [11] for Outstanding Broadway Debut and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical [12]. Her recent stage work includes the world premiere of Joe Gilford’s Finks at the Powerhouse Theater, opposite Josh Radnor and directed by Charlie Stratton (2008); the world premiere of Cusi Cram's A Lifetime Burning at Primary Stages Off-Broadway, directed by Pam Mackinnon (2009); Three Sisters at LA Theaterworks (2011) and the world premiere of Stephen Belber's The Power of Duff at the Powerhouse Theater, opposite Greg Kinnear and directed by Peter Dubois (2012).[7]

Personal life[edit]

Westfeldt has been in a relationship with actor Jon Hamm since 1997. Both Westfeldt and Hamm identify as Democrats.[13]

Awards and Nominations[edit]

Awards and nominations: feature film and theatrical
Year Title Role Award/ Nomination
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Jessica Stein Golden Satellite - Best Actress in a Comedy - 2003
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Los Angeles Film Festival - Special Jury Award - 2001
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Los Angeles Film Festival - Audience Award, Best Feature - 2001
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Chicago International Film Festival - Audience Award - 2001
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Miami International Film Festival - Best Feature - 2001
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing GLAAD Media Award - 2003
2002 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Deauville Film Festival - Grand Special Prize nomination
2003 Kissing Jessica Stein Acting and Writing Indie Spirit nomination, Best Screenplay
2003 Wonderful Town Eileen Sherwood Theater World - Outstanding Broadway Debut - 2004
2003 Wonderful Town Eileen Sherwood Drama League Award
2004 Wonderful Town Eileen Sherwood Tony Award nomination, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
2007 Ira and Abby Abby HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen - Best Actress
2007 Ira and Abby Acting and Writing HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen - Best Feature
2007 Ira and Abby Abby Puerto Vallarta Film Festival - Best Actress
2007 Ira and Abby Abby Boston Jewish Film Festival - Audence Award, Best Feature - 2006
2012 Friends with Kids Julie Keller My Cinema Award nomination, Best Actress in a Comedy

References[edit]

Footnotes
  1. ^ "meyers westfeldt". Google news. July 15, 1994. Retrieved April 25, 2013. 
  2. ^ "jennifer-westfeldt connie". Google news. March 7, 2002. Retrieved April 25, 2013. 
  3. ^ Rosen, Steven (2007-09-13). "Film: Opposites attract—and seek therapy—in ‘Ira & Abby’ | Arts". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2012-03-12. 
  4. ^ Bloom, Nate. "Interfaith Celebrities: The Long Line of Interfaith Indianas". InterfaithFamily.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13. 
  5. ^ "1383 (Sveriges ridderskaps och adels kalender / 1923 - fyrtiosjätte årgången) (in Swedish)". Runeberg.org. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2012-03-12. 
  6. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt: Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g IMDB Bio
  8. ^ By (2001-05-02). "Kissing Jessica Stein". Variety.com. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  9. ^ "Awards for Jennifer Westfeldt". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 25 April 2013. 
  10. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 25 April 2013. 
  11. ^ a b c IMDB
  12. ^ "Jennifer Westfeldt Awards". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  13. ^ "Celebrities at DNC". The San Francisco Chronicle. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012. 
General sources

External links[edit]
Musical or Comedy
(1996-2010, retired)
Motion Picture Drama
(1996-2010, retired)
Motion Picture
(2011-present)
Authority control
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jennifer_Westfeldt&oldid=560506723"