Amanda Peet

Amanda Peet

Peet at the premiere screening of Amazon Studios' comedy, Transparent in September 2014
Born (1972-01-11) January 11, 1972
New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality American
Alma mater Columbia University
Occupation Actress, playwright
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s) David Benioff (m. 2006)
Children 3

Amanda Peet (born January 11, 1972) is an American actress and author who has appeared in film, stage, and television. After studying with Uta Hagen at Columbia University, Peet began her career in television commercials, and progressed to small roles on television, before making her film debut in 1995. Featured roles in the 2000 comedy film The Whole Nine Yards brought her wider recognition.[1]

She has appeared in a variety of films, including the 2001 comedy Saving Silverman, the 2003 romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give, the 2003 psychological thriller film Identity, the 2005 action-thriller Syriana, the 2006 comedy-drama remake Griffin & Phoenix, the 2007 romantic comedy The Ex, the 2008 science fiction film The X-Files: I Want to Believe and the 2009 disaster adventure drama 2012. She has also appeared in the 1999 drama series Jack & Jill, the 2006 drama series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and the 2015 comedy-drama series Togetherness.

Early life

Peet was born in New York City, the daughter of Penny (née Levy), a social worker, and Charles D. Peet, Jr., a corporate lawyer,[2][3] who divorced. Her father is a Quaker and mother is Jewish.[4][5] Peet's maternal great-grandfathers were Samuel Levy, a lawyer, businessman, and public official, who served as Manhattan Borough President, and Samuel Roxy Rothafel, a theatrical impresario and entrepreneur.[3]

At age seven, Peet relocated with her family to London, returning to New York four years later.[6] Peet was raised in the Quaker tradition, and attended Friends Seminary, a Quaker school.[7] She attended and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in American history; in college, she auditioned for acting with teacher Uta Hagen and decided to become an actress, after taking Hagen's class.[8] During her four-year period of study with Hagen, Peet appeared in the off-Broadway revival of Clifford Odets's Awake and Sing with Stephen Lang.[8]

Career

Early work, 1995–1999

Peet's first screen performances were in a television commercial for Skittles and an uncredited appearance as the girlfriend of the titular character in the second episode of The Larry Sanders Show in 1992. She made her film debut in the drama film Animal Room (1995), which also starred Neil Patrick Harris and Matthew Lillard. She appeared the November 1995 episode "Hot Pursuit" of Law and Order. For much of the late 1990s, Peet maintained a steady acting career in relatively obscure independent films. Her next feature film was One Fine Day. The film was released in late 1996, and she co-appeared with George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer. Also that year, she portrayed a supporting role in the romantic comedy film She's the One, opposite Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz.

After several small and supporting roles in 1998's Origin of the Species, Southie and Playing by Heart, Peet had her first major role as Jacqueline Barrett in the 1999 WB network series Jack & Jill (which aired for two seasons). She also appeared in the eighth-season finale of Seinfeld ("The Summer of George")[9] as a waitress whom Jerry Seinfeld meets. In 1999, Peet was cast opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar in the fantasy romantic comedy Simply Irresistible. Her character in the film was Chris, the former girlfriend of Sean Patrick Flanery's character, Tom.

Career transition and early 2000s

Peet had a supporting role in the biographical film Isn't She Great, in which she appeared with Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. The film was released in January 2000. Peet's first role in a widely released feature film came in 2000, with the mafia comedy film The Whole Nine Yards, starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry, playing Jill St. Claire. The film received several favorable reviews from critics[10] and was a big hit at the worldwide box office, with a $106,371,651 gross.[11] Critic Roger Ebert called Peet's performance "Perfect" because "it exactly matches what is required, and then adds a level of heedless glee."[12] She received a nomination for the "Favorite Supporting Actress: Comedy" award at the 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and for the "Choice Film Liar" award at the 2000 Teen Choice Awards. That same year, landed the starring role, Mia, in the independent film Whipped, won the Young Hollywood Award at the category of "Best New Style Maker", and was voted one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People magazine.

Peet appeared, playing a psychologist and romantic interest of Jason Biggs's character in the American comedy Saving Silverman (2001). The film was largely panned by critics,[13] but had a minor box office success grossing over $26 million worldwide.[14] Jack Black and Steve Zahn also co-starred in the film. Later, she appeared as Rachel in the 2002 American comedy-drama film Igby Goes Down. In an interview, she explained her character in the film: "She's not very successful at it and she certainly doesn't seduce the right things" and "She seduces all the wrong things and is seduced by all the wrong things, as well."[15]

Peet portrayed a supporting role in the thriller film Changing Lanes (2002) as Ben Affleck's character's wife. In 2003, Peet co-starred with Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves in the romantic comedy Something's Gotta Give, directed by Nancy Meyers. Her role was Marin Barry, the daughter of Keaton's character, who is a 29-year-old auctioneer, working for Christie's. The film was a commercial and critical success and was nominated for and won several awards. Peet appeared in the 2003 horror and psychological thriller film Identity. She played the role of Paris Nevada, a Las Vegas prostitute. Identity afforded her the chance to work with such actors as John Cusack, Ray Liotta and John Hawkes.[16] The film was a modest box office success worldwide however received much critical acclaim.[16] The following year, she starred in The Whole Ten Yards, the sequel to The Whole Nine Yards. The film was not well received by critics and audience.[17]

2005–2007

In 2005, Peet appeared in the play This Is How It Goes,[18] filling in for Marisa Tomei at the last minute after six days of rehearsal.[8] Peet also co-starred in Woody Allen's tragicomedy Melinda and Melinda, which was given a limited release in the United States on March 18, 2005. The same year, Peet had the lead role with Ashton Kutcher in the romantic comedy film A Lot Like Love. The film is about two people whose relationship slowly evolves from lust to friendship to romance over the course of seven years. A Lot Like Love received mixed reviews and was a box office success. Los Angeles Times stated that Peet "is charming and charismatic without being cloying or artificial." Her on screen chemistry with Kutcher was either criticized or praised by a number of critics. Peet was nominated for the "Choice Movie Actress: Comedy" at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards.

She co-starred alongside George Clooney in the thriller film Syriana, which was based loosely on former Central Intelligence Agency agent Robert Baer and his memoirs of being an agent in the Middle East. In Syriana her character was Julie Woodman, the wife of Brian (played by Matt Damon). The film was released theatrically in November 2005.

In February 2006, she performed in Neil Simon's Broadway production of Barefoot in the Park. Later in 2006, she starred in the romantic drama film Griffin & Phoenix, a remake of the 1976 ABC TV movie, where she played the role of Sarah Phoenix, a terminally-ill woman living life to the fullest. Peet was a member of the cast of the television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which premiered on NBC on September 18, 2006. She starred with Matthew Perry, with whom she had worked in The Whole Nine Yards and The Whole Ten Yards, and Sarah Paulson, with whom she previously co-starred in Jack & Jill and in "Griffin & Phoenix". In Studio 60, Peet's character Jordan McDeere was the newly appointed president of the National Broadcasting System (NBS). In 2007, she received a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her performance in the show.

In 2007's The Ex, a romantic comedy, Peet played an attorney who stays home to raise a new baby. The film was released on May 11, 2007 and also starred Zach Braff, Charles Grodin and Jason Bateman. The film generally received negative reviews from critics[19] and had an international gross of $5,142,074.[20]

2008–present

She next appeared as an FBI agent in The X-Files: I Want to Believe in 2008.[21][22][23] She was cast in Nigel Cole's Five Dollars a Day (2008), in which she starred as a beautiful young woman named Maggie, who is the girlfriend of Alessandro Nivola's character. The film opened at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. Actors Christopher Walken and Sharon Stone also co-starred in the film. Also that year, Peet released the crime drama film What Doesn't Kill You, in a limited release. Her character was Stacy Reilly. The film received generally favorable reviews[24] and Peet's performance was praised by Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly, who wrote that she "is terrific as Brian's worn-down wife, sick of seeing her man disappear before her eyes."[25]

Peet starred in 2012, a 2009 disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, alongside John Cusack and Danny Glover. In the film, she portrayed the character of Kate Curtis, a medical student and Jackson's ex-wife.[26][27][28] The film received mixed or average reviews from critics,[29] but had a $769,679,473 worldwide gross,[30] becoming Peet's biggest success at the box office.[31] In an interview with Femail, she said about the film: "this movie is like going on a roller coaster. Though I can't anymore myself, I get sick! But it's a controlled way of scaring yourself. So in a safe, controlled environment, you can really enjoy being scared. In a masochistic way."[32]

Amanda Peet at the 21st annual Light up a Life benefit in 2009

In the 2010 independent comedy-drama film Please Give, Peet co-starred with Catherine Keener and Rebecca Hall; she played a self-centered cosmetologist named Mary. Please Give received a limited release in March 2010 after it was screened out of competition at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival. The film received critical acclaim; Ethan Alter of Film Journal International wrote that Peet "does career-best work here [the film]."[33] Peet and the other Please Give cast members received a Gotham Award nomination for Best Ensemble Cast.[34] She guest appeared in the television series How I Met Your Mother episode "Jenkins", playing the title character.[35]

Peet next provided the voice for Rayna, one of the main characters of the 2010 animated educational sci-fi adventure film Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, which was opened on January 13, 2010 in the United States. Peet joined the cast of the live-action family adventure film Gulliver's Travels. She appears with Jack Black, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt.[36] The film was released on December 25, 2010 in 3D.[37] Her character is Darcy Silverman, Jack's editor, and potential love interest.[38] Peet was cast as a lead in NBC's Bent.[39] The series was cancelled after six episodes on May 11, 2012.[40]

In 2012 and 2013, Peet played the role of Laura Hellinger in 7 episodes of the critically acclaimed CBS drama The Good Wife. Peet made her playwriting debut with the new play The Commons of Pensacola starring Blythe Danner and Sarah Jessica Parker.[41] Its final performance occurred February 9, 2014.[42][43] She co-starred in the film Trust Me, written and directed by Clark Gregg, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2013 and had a limited U.S. release in June 2014.

Peet has an appeared in three different films alongside John Cusack, Identity, Martian Child, and 2012.

Personal life

Peet married screenwriter David Benioff on September 30, 2006, in New York City.[44] They have three children: Frances "Frankie"[45] Pen Friedman,[46] born February 20, 2007;[47] Molly June Friedman,[46] born in 2010; and Henry Peet[48] Friedman,[46] born December 6, 2014.[49] To avoid any confusion, Peet's three children use the last name of Friedman,[48] which is husband David Benioff's given last name—he uses his mother's maiden name as his professional name.[50] The family lives in Manhattan and Beverly Hills. Peet was maid of honor at Lauren Holly's marriage in 2001 to Francis Greco.[51]

Peet is best friends with actress Sarah Paulson whom she met as castmates in Jack & Jill and co-starred again in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.[52] She is also close friends with actor Peter Dinklage, who she met through friends at Bennington College.[53]

Activism

In 2008, Peet volunteered to be a spokeswoman for Every Child By Two (ECBT), a non-profit organization that advocates childhood vaccination. Peet began working with the group after becoming concerned by the "amount of misinformation floating around [about vaccines], particularly in Hollywood."[54] In an interview with Cookie, Peet stated: "Frankly, I feel that parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites," referring to the benefit unvaccinated children derive from herd immunity and the concern that dropping vaccination rates may put all children at increased risk of preventable disease.[54] Peet's comments stirred controversy; in response, she apologized for using the term "parasites", but affirmed her position on the importance and safety of vaccinations.[55][56]

The 3rd Annual Independent Investigative Group IIG Awards recognizing the promotion of science in popular media was held on May 18, 2009. The IIG presented an award to Peet for her work campaigning for vaccines.[57]

Writing

Peet has co-written a children's book Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein about a Jewish girl during the Christmas season. The book was launched in 2015.[58]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Animal Room Debbie
1996 Winterlude Unknown Short film
1996 Virginity Unknown Short film
1996 She's the One Molly
1996 One Fine Day Celia
1997 Sax and Violins Unknown
1997 Grind Patty
1997 Touch Me Bridgette
1998 Origin of the Species Julia
1998 1999 Nicole
1998 Southie Marianne Silva
1998 Playing by Heart Amber
1999 Simply Irresistible Chris
1999 Jump Lisa
1999 Two Ninas Nina Harris
1999 Body Shots Jane Bannister
2000 Zoe Loses It Zoe Short film
2000 Isn't She Great Debbie Klausman
2000 Whole Nine Yards, TheThe Whole Nine Yards Jill St. Claire Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy or Romance
Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liar
2000 Track Down Karen
2000 Whipped Mia
2001 Date Squad Belkis Felcher Short film
2001 Saving Silverman Judith Fessbegler
2002 High Crimes Jackie Grimaldi
2002 Changing Lanes Cynthia Delano Banek
2002 Igby Goes Down Rachel
2003 Whatever We Do Patty Short film
2003 Identity Paris
2003 Something's Gotta Give Marin Barry
2004 Whole Ten Yards, TheThe Whole Ten Yards Jill St. Claire Tudeski
2004 Melinda and Melinda Susan
2005 Lot Like Love, AA Lot Like Love Emily Friehl Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Comedy
2005 Syriana Julie Woodman
2006 Griffin and Phoenix Phoenix
2006 Ex, TheThe Ex Sofia Kowalski
2007 Battle for Terra Maria Montez Voice
2007 Martian Child Harlee
2008 $5 a Day Maggie
2008 X-Files: I Want to Believe, TheThe X-Files: I Want to Believe ASAC Dakota Whitney
2008 What Doesn't Kill You Stacy Reilly
2009 2012 Kate Curtis Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Sci-Fi
2010 Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey Ranger Voice
2010 Please Give Mary Nominated—Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2010 Gulliver's Travels Darcy Silverman
2012 To the Wonder Scenes cut[59]
2013 Identity Thief Trish Patterson
2013 The Way, Way Back Joan
2013 Trust Me Marcy
2015 Sleeping with Other People Paula

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Law & Order Leslie Harlan Episode: "Hot Pursuit"
1996 Single Guy, TheThe Single Guy Kathy Episode: "Wedding"
1996 C.P.W. Robyn Gainer 6 episodes
1997 Spin City Shelly McCory Episode: "Snowbound"
1997 Seinfeld Lanette Episode: "The Summer of George"
1997 Ellen Foster Julia Hobbs TV movie
1999 Partners Beth Harmon Episode: "Pilot"
1999–2001 Jack & Jill Jacqueline Barrett 32 episodes
2006–2007 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Jordan McDeere 22 episodes
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
2009 Important Things with Demetri Martin Actress Episode: "Timing"
2009 Wainy Days Jill Episode: "Jill"
2010 How I Met Your Mother Jenkins Episode: "Jenkins"
2011 Bent Alex Meyers 6 episodes
2012–2013 The Good Wife Laura Hellinger 7 episodes, first episode as JAG Captain Laura Hellinger
2015–2016 Togetherness Tina Morris Main Role

References

  1. ↑ "Amanda Peet". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  2. ↑ Amanda Peet Biography (1972-)
  3. 1 2 "Charles Peet Jr. And Penny Levy Will Be Married; Lawyer Is the Fiance of '63 Smith Graduate --Bridal in July". The New York Times. April 7, 1967.
  4. ↑ Flatley, Guy (August 31, 2000). "AMANDA PEET—A GIRL WHO'S BEST WHEN SHE'S BAAAAD!". MovieCrazed. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
  5. ↑ Cohen, Benyamin; Bradford R. Pilcher (November 12, 2005). "WINTER MOVIE PREVIEW: Amanda Peet". American Jewish Life Magazine. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Amanda Peet: the beautiful brainiac on Quakers versus shakers, belching and firearm safety while nude". Highbeam Business. August 1, 2002. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Amanda Peet (Quaker) and David Benioff (Jewish)". Houston Chronicle. April 9, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Amanda Peet- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "The Seinfeld Chronicles | News". EW.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  10. ↑ "The Whole Nine Yards". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  11. ↑ "The Whole Nine Yards". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  12. ↑ "The Whole Nine Yards". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. February 18, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Saving Silverman". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Saving Silverman". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Amanda Peet Talks About "Igby Goes Down"". Movies.about.com. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Identity". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  17. ↑ "The Whole Ten Yards (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Amanda Peet joins the cast of Neil LaBute play". USA Today. March 7, 2005. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  19. ↑ "The Ex". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  20. ↑ "The Ex". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Threesome mark spots for 'X-Files'". Archived from the original on July 6, 2008.
  22. ↑ Shen, Maxine (July 20, 2008). "THE TRUTH IS NOT OUT THERE". New York Post. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Peet, Connolly, Xzibit join 'X-Files' movie cast". Qa.in.movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  24. ↑ "What Doesn't Kill You". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  25. ↑ "What Doesn't Kill You (2008)". Entertainment Weekly. December 3, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Amanda Peet Joins Cast of Emmerich's '2012'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  27. ↑ Simmons, Leslie; Borys Kit (June 13, 2008). "Amanda Peet is 2012 lead". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Amanda Peet boards Emmerich's '2012'". Screeninglog.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  29. ↑ "2012". Metacritic. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  30. ↑ "2012". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Amanda Peet". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Amanda Peet 2010 Interview". Femail.com. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Film Review: Please Give". Film Journal International. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Gotham Awards Nominees Announced!". Shadowandact.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Amanda Peet to Guest Star on How I Met Your Mother". Tvfanatic.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Amanda Peet Joins Gulliver's Travels Remake". Reelzchannel.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Jack Black charts hilarity in 'Gulliver's Travels'". Hollywoodnews.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Amanda Peet Joins Gulliver's Travels". Empireonline.com. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Amanda Peet Cast in NBC Sitcom Pilot". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  40. ↑ Gorman, Bill (May 11, 2012). "'Awake, 'Are You There Chelsea?,' 'Best Friends Forever,' and 'Bent' Canceled by NBC". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  41. ↑ Healy, Patrick (November 1, 2013). "Changing Her Game: Actress to Author". The New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  42. ↑ "The Commons of Pensacola". thecommonsofpensacola.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  43. ↑ Isherwood, Charles (November 21, 2013). "An Audit of Family Assets". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  44. ↑ Amanda Peet Weds Screenwriter Beau - Marriage, Amanda Peet: People.com
  45. ↑ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20363398,00.html
  46. 1 2 3 http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-amanda-peet-baby-boy-henry-david-benioff-20141208-story.html
  47. ↑ "Amanda Peet Has a Girl". People Magazine. February 23, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  48. 1 2 http://www.celebritybabyscoop.com/2014/12/08/amanda-benioff-welcome
  49. ↑ Catherine Bell, on Catherine Bell Introduces Son Ronan. "Amanda Peet Welcomes Daughter Molly June – Moms & Babies – Moms & Babies - People.com". Celebritybabies.people.com. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  50. ↑ http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/187517/amanda-peet-david-benioff-expand-their-brood
  51. ↑ "Lauren Holly: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  52. ↑ "BFFs Sarah Paulson and Amanda Peet on Wrinkles, Plastic Surgery, and Waiting for the Right Part". Elle Magazine. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  53. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/magazine/peter-dinklage-was-smart-to-say-no.html?_r=0
  54. ↑ McNeil, Donald (January 12, 2009). "Book Is Rallying Resistance to the Antivaccine Crusade". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  55. ↑ "IIG | The IIG Awards". Iigwest.com. August 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  56. ↑ "Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein". Amazon.com. October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen & Amanda Peet Also Cut From Terrence Malick's 'To The Wonder'". The Playlist. August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.

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