Saoirse Ronan

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Saoirse Ronan

Ronan at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Born Saoirse Una Ronan[1]
12 April 1994 (1994-04-12) (age 17)[2]
New York City, New York,[3] U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 2003–present

Saoirse Una Ronan (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠiːɾˠʃə]; roughly SEER-shə; born 12 April 1994[1]) is an American-born Irish[4][5] film actress.[6][7] She began her career as a child and came to international prominence in 2007 after co-starring in the film Atonement, which gained her nominations for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Ronan has since appeared in several Hollywood films, including the children's Christmas story The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (2007), with Tom Berenger and Joely Richardson, the romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007), the film adaptation of the science fantasy Young Adult novel City of Ember (2008), Death Defying Acts (2008), the war drama film The Way Back (2010) and Hanna (2011). She was awarded a Saturn Award and a second BAFTA Award nomination for her portrayal in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones (2009).

Contents

[edit] Personal life

Born in New York City, Ronan is the only child of Irish parents Paul and Monica Ronan – the former an actor[8] – who were living in New York at the time.[3] She was raised in County Carlow, Ireland, having moved there when she was three years old.[9] Ronan is currently home schooled and lives in County Carlow.[10][11] As a baby, she sometimes accompanied her father on the set when he was working on such films as The Devil's Own.[12]

Ronan supports the Irish Blue Cross, as the charity had reunited her with her runaway dog Sassie.[13] On her name, she said, "'Searsha' is how Irish people pronounce my first name, but I would pronounce it 'Sersha,' like 'inertia'. It's Irish for 'freedom.' I recently found out that my middle name, Una, means 'unity' in Ireland. And I think my last name means 'seal.' So I’m a free, unified seal."[1]

[edit] Career

[edit] 2003–2008

She made her screen debut on Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ, in the 2003 primetime medical drama The Clinic and the 2004–2005 mini-serial Proof.[14] During the same time, Ronan auditioned to play Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a role she eventually lost out to Evanna Lynch.[15]

Ronan in 2007.

At the age of twelve, Ronan was asked to attend a casting call for Joe Wright's 2007 film adaptation of Ian McEwan's 2001 novel Atonement.[16] She auditioned for and won the part of Briony Tallis, an aspiring 13-year-old novelist, who irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Starring alongside Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, Wright grew more and more impressed with Ronan on-set, who declared her role a "fantastic part [to play]."[16] Budgeted at US$30 million, the film became a financial and critical success, resulting in a worldwide box office total of US$130 million and various awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Film, Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama, and an 2008 Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.[17] Ronan herself received rave reviews for her performance, with Ty Burr of the Boston Globe calling her "remarkable [and] eccentric,"[18] and was subsequently nominated for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, ranking her among the youngest persons ever to be nominated for the latter.[19]

Ronan's next film was Amy Heckerling's often-delayed romantic comedy film I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007). Initially shot in mid-to fall 2005 in Los Angeles and London, the film went straight-to-DVD in the United States and other major market territories after it had struggled to attract financing and several deals disintegrated during its post-production in spite of its budget of US$25 million.[20] In the film, Ronan portrayed the character of Izzie Grossman, the pubescent daughter of a television show screenwriter, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who falls for a younger man (Paul Rudd), while Izzie falls in love for the first time herself. Upon its release, the independent project garnered generally lukewarm reviews, with Joe Leydon of Variety summing it as "a desperately unfunny mix of tepid showbiz satire and formulaic romantic comedy."[21]

In 2008, Ronan starred in both Death Defying Acts and City of Ember. In Gillian Armstrong's supernatural romantic thriller Death Defying Acts, she played Benji McGarvie, the daughter of an impoverished and uneducated psychic, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who begins a passionate affair with legendary magician Harry Houdini at the height of his career. Ronan was awarded an Irish Film & Television Award for her performance.[19] Released to a mixed reception,[22] the film was not a success at the box office, barely grossing US$8.3 million worldwide.[23] In Gil Kenan's City of Ember Ronan starred as Lina Mayfleet, a teenager who must save the people of the fictional underground city named Ember. The fantasy film, based on the 2003 novel by Jeanne DuPrau, received mixed reviews from critics,[24] and grossed US$17 million worldwide, well below its US$55 million budget.[25]

[edit] 2009–present

Ronan at the premiere of City of Ember in Belfast in 2008.

In 2009, Ronan appeared alongside Rachel Weisz and Stanley Tucci in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones (2009), an adaptation of the same-titled book by Alice Sebold. In the film, Ronan plays 14-year-old Susie Salmon, who, after being murdered, watches from the "in-between" as her family and friends struggle to move on with their lives while she comes to terms with her own death. Ronan and her family were originally hesitant for Ronan to accept her role in the film because of its subject matter, but agreed after meeting with Jackson, who described her as "just amazing on-screen."[26] The Lovely Bones was released to mainly mixed reviews from critics,[27] who criticized the film's story and its message.[28] Praised for the acting however, particularly of Ronan, whose performance Richard Corliss of Time commented as "magic,"[28] the film garnered various accolades, winning Ronan a Critics' Choice Award, a Saturn Award and a second BAFTA Award nomination for her portrayal the following year.[19]

In 2010's The Way Back, directed by Peter Weir, Ronan played the character of Irena, a Polish orphan, who joins a group of prisoners who escape from the gulag in Siberia in 1940 and attempt to make a 4,000 mile trek to India. Shot on location in Bulgaria, India and Morocco alongside Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell and Ed Harris,[29] the war drama film received generally positive reviews,[30] with The Telegraph calling it "a journey that feels awful and heroic and unfathomable – and one you’ll want to watch again."[31] Her performance in the film garnered Ronan her fourth Irish Film & Television Award.[19]

In 2011, Ronan starred in the title role of the action thriller film Hanna, which marked her reunion with Atonement director Joe Wright.[12]

In November 2011, Ronan took part in a promotion for the Irish Film Institute Archive Preservation Fund, in which she was digitally edited into popular Irish films of the past, such as Once and My Left Foot, as well as documentary footage on the arrival of John F. Kennedy at Dublin Airport and the GAA All-Ireland finals.[32]

As announced, Ronan will play a teen assassin in Geoffrey Fletcher's directing debut Violet & Daisy.[33] In addition, she will star as Melanie Stryder in Andrew Niccol's film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel The Host,[34][35] and appear in director Neil Jordan's adaptation of the play Byzantium.[36] As reported, Ronan is in talks to play Daisy in the film adaptation of the 2004 novel How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.[37]

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2003–2004 The Clinic Rhiannon Geraghty 4 Episodes
2005 Proof Orla Boland 4 Episodes
2007 The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Celia Hardwick
Atonement Briony Tallis (age 13) Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Youth in Film – Female
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role – Female
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated – Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress
Nominated – Empire Award for Best Newcomer
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Nominated – London Film Critics Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year
Nominated – London Film Critics Circle Award for British Breakthrough – Acting
Nominated – Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress
I Could Never Be Your Woman Izzie
2008 Death Defying Acts Benji Irish Film & Television Award for Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated – Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Supporting Actress
City of Ember Lina Mayfleet Nominated – Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role
2009 The Lovely Bones Susie Salmon Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress
Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Youth in Film – Female
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role – Female
Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor
Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nominated – Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated – Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated – Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated – London Critics Circle Film Award for Young British Performer of the Year
Nominated – Santa Barbara International Film Virtuoso Award
Nominated – St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress
2010 The Way Back Irena Irish Film & Television Award for Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated – London Critics Circle Film Award for Young British Performer of the Year
Arrietty Arrietty UK Dub Voice
2011 Hanna Hanna Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth Performer in a Lead or Supporting Role - Female
Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Kick Ass Award for Best Female Action Star (tied with Rooney Mara)
Nominated – Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Actress
Nominated – St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated – London Critics Circle Film Award for Young British Performer of the Year
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor
Violet & Daisy Daisy
2012 Byzantium Eleanor Filming
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Charlotte Doyle In production
2013 The Host Melanie Stryder / Wanderer Filming; to be released March 29, 2013
Justin and the Knights of Valor Talia In production
How I Live Now Daisy Pre-production

[edit] Further reading

  • Cluain Dolcain: A Brief Note, Charles Doherty, in Seanchas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis John Byrne, pp. 182–188, edited by Alfred P. Smyth, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2000. ISBN 9 781851 824892

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Symkus, Ed (April 7, 2011). "Saoirse Ronan gets physical as action heroine ‘Hanna’". GateHouse News Service (The MetroWest Daily News). http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/entertainment/x1700905031/Saoirse-Ronan-gets-physical-as-action-heroine-Hanna. Retrieved April 12, 2011. 
  2. ^ Peter Debruge (4 October 2007). "Saoirse Ronan". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973440.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 13 December 2008. 
  3. ^ a b Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV – Oscar-nominated actress has family ties to Mercer County
  4. ^ Saoirse Ronan on Moviefone
  5. ^ Saoirse Ronan - IMDb
  6. ^ Xan Brooks (23 January 2010). "Saoirse Ronan: A name to reckon with". The Guardian (Interview). http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/23/saoirse-ronan-the-lovely-bones. "'You actually say it ­'Sairsha'...But you can also say it ­Sersha, or Seersha – both are OK.'"  But see also the following ref for variant pronunciations.
  7. ^ Bernadette McNulty (16 February 2010 [print version: 13 February]). "Saoirse Ronan interview for The Lovely Bones: Bafta-nominated Saoirse Ronan, 15, talks about her moving role in 'The Lovely Bones.' [print version: Girl with heaven in her eyes]". The Daily Telegraph (Review): p. R9. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/7251114/Saoirse-Ronan-interview-for-The-Lovely-Bones.html. "[S]he was named after a figure in a painting bought by her aunt from a Maze prisoner, which now hangs on her own bedroom wall. Saoirse (pronounced Sir-sha) is the Gaelic word for 'freedom'."  See also inogolo:pronunciation of Saoirse Ronan.
  8. ^ Paul Ronan at IMDB
  9. ^ McGoldrick, Debbie (4 November 2009). "Saoirse Ronan is leading contender for Best Actress Oscar". IrishCentral.com. http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/LA-Times-names-Saoirse-Ronan-leading-contender-for-Best-Actress-Oscar-69090137.html. Retrieved 4 November 2009. 
  10. ^ Xan Brooks (2010-01-23). "Saoirse Ronan: A name to reckon with". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/23/saoirse-ronan-the-lovely-bones. Retrieved 2010-01-25. 
  11. ^ Last, Jane (19 June 2007). "Irish girl on verge of stardom". http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/irish-girl-on-verge-of-stardom-704918.html. Retrieved 28 August 2007. 
  12. ^ a b Sheila Johnston (13 December 2008). "Saoirse Ronan: On set with Brad, Keira and Michelle". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3670877/Saoirse-Ronan-On-set-with-Brad%2C-Keira-and-Michelle.html. Retrieved 1 February 2008. 
  13. ^ Saoirse Ronan champions Irish Blue Cross. RTÉ.
  14. ^ Irish Teen Saoirse Ronan Cast In Peter Jackson's ‘The Lovely Bones’, IFTN.
  15. ^ "Saoirse Ronan admits disappointment over 'Harry Potter' Luna Lovegood role" August 4, 2011, Irish Central
  16. ^ a b "Behind the Scenes of Atonement". WildAboutMovies.com. http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/movies/AtonementMovie-AtonementTrailer-KeiraKnightleyJamesMcAvoy-FocusFeatures-2008AcademyAwar.php. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  17. ^ "Atonement (2007)". The-Numbers.com. http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2007/ATONE.php. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  18. ^ Burr, Ty (2007-12-07). "A Wrongful Act Reverberates In The Sumptuous 'Atonement'". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9312. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  19. ^ a b c d "Awards for Saoirse Ronan". IMdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519680/awards. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  20. ^ Schwartz, Missy (2008-02-08). "Would You Dump This Woman?". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20175469,00.html. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  21. ^ Leydon, Joe (2008-02-21). "DVD-Premiere: I Could Never Be Your Woman". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936281?refcatid=31. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  22. ^ "Death Defying Acts (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_defying_acts/. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  23. ^ "Death Defying Acts (2008)". BoxOfficeMojo.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=deathdefyingacts.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-04. 
  24. ^ "City of Ember Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/city_of_ember/. Retrieved 2010-09-13. 
  25. ^ "City of Ember". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cityofember.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-20. 
  26. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (2009-12-10). "Saoirse Ronan of 'The Lovely Bones' stays on balance". LATimes.com. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-saoirse10-2009dec10,0,4409476.story. Retrieved 2009-12-28. 
  27. ^ "Lovely Bones, Hits and Misses.". Newser.com. 2009-12-11. http://www.newser.com/story/75915/lovely-bones-hits-and-misses.html. Retrieved 2010-02-27. 
  28. ^ a b Richard Corliss (2009-12-10). "'The Lovely Bones' Review: Dead Girl's Love Story". Time.com. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1942819_1942818_1942815,00.html#ixzz0ZXSrmAS5. Retrieved 2009-12-25. 
  29. ^ Muldoon, Molly (2010-12-31). "Big Oscar Hopes For Colin Farrell And Saoirse Ronan In The Way Back". IrishCentral.com. http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Big-Oscar-hopes-for-Colin-Farrell-and-Saoirse-Ronan-in-The-Way-Back-SEE-VIDEO-112707904.html. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
  30. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (2010-12-24). "The Way Back – review". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/dec/23/the-way-back-review. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
  31. ^ Sandhu, Sukhdev (2010-12-23). "The Way Back, review". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8222533/The-Way-Back-review.html. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
  32. ^ Ellis, Fiona (2011-11-03). "Saoirse's time-travel plea to preserve films". Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/film-cinema/saoirses-timetravel-plea-to-preserve-films-2924806.html. Retrieved 2011-11-03. 
  33. ^ Kroll, Justin; McNary, Dave (2010-09-13). "Killer Gigs For Ronan, Gandolfini". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118024066?refCatId=4026. Retrieved 2011-02-09. 
  34. ^ "Niccol Directing Saoirse Ronan in 'The Host'". IFTN. http://iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&. Retrieved 13 May 2011. 
  35. ^ "'Twilight Saga' Author Stephenie Meyer's 'The Host' Lands Saoirse Ronan To Star". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/twilight-saga-author-stephenie-meyers-the-host-lands-saoirse-ronan-to-star/. Retrieved 4 May 2011. 
  36. ^ Kemp, Stuart (14 May 2011). "Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton to Star in Vampire Pic 'Byzantium' (Cannes)". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/saoirse-ronan-gemma-arterton-star-188454. Retrieved 15 May 2011. 
  37. ^ Sneider, Jeff (13 December 2011). "Saoirse Ronan circles 'How I Live Now'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118047451. Retrieved 22 December 2011. 

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