Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Anna Faris
How Anna Faris built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Anna Faris is an American actress and podcaster, best known for her comedic roles, particularly as Cindy Campbell in the 'Scary Movie' film series. She has starred in various films, including 'The Hot Chick,' 'Lost in Translation,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' 'Just Friends,' 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend,' 'Smiley Face,' 'The House Bunny,' 'What's Your Number?,' 'The Dictator,' and 'Overboard.' Her career is defined by her contributions to comedy films and her work as a podcaster.
1996: Role in Eden
In 1996, Anna Faris appeared in the independent drama "Eden," which was screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
1999: First Major Film Role in Lovers Lane
In 1999, Anna Faris had her first major film role in the independent slasher film "Lovers Lane", playing an ill-fated cheerleader.
September 2000: Raygun Cover Appearance
In September 2000, Anna Faris graced the cover of Raygun magazine, marking an early highlight in her career.
2000: Breakthrough Role in Scary Movie
In 2000, Anna Faris had her breakthrough role as Cindy Campbell in "Scary Movie," a horror-comedy parody. The film was a major commercial success, and Faris received nominations for Breakthrough Female Performance and Best Kiss Awards at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards.
June 2001: GQ UK "Young Hollywood" Pictorial
In June 2001, Anna Faris was featured in GQ UK's pictorial of "Young Hollywood."
July 4, 2001: Scary Movie 2 release
On July 4, 2001, Anna Faris reprised her role as Cindy Campbell in "Scary Movie 2".
2002: Starring in The Hot Chick
In 2002, Anna Faris starred alongside Rob Schneider and Rachel McAdams in the comedy "The Hot Chick," which was a modest commercial success.
2003: Role in Lost in Translation and Scary Movie 3
In 2003, Anna Faris appeared in "Lost in Translation" opposite Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson and reprised her role in "Scary Movie 3".
2003: Lost in Translation
In 2003, Anna Faris starred in Sofia Coppola's drama "Lost in Translation," which she felt allowed her to showcase her body of work, and she also played Cindy Campbell in "Scary Movie 3".
2004: Friends Debut
In 2004, Anna Faris debuted on the last season of the sitcom "Friends" in the recurring role of Erica.
2004: Recurring Role in Friends
In 2004, Anna Faris had a recurring role as Erica in the final season of the NBC sitcom "Friends".
2005: Brokeback Mountain and Just Friends
In 2005, Anna Faris appeared in "Brokeback Mountain" and also starred in the comedies "Waiting..." and "Just Friends" alongside Ryan Reynolds.
2005: Brokeback Mountain Role
In 2005, Anna Faris filmed a small part in Ang Lee's drama "Brokeback Mountain", receiving a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance.
2005: Starring in Waiting... and Just Friends
In 2005, Anna Faris starred in the comedies "Waiting..." and "Just Friends" alongside Ryan Reynolds, earning nominations for an MTV Movie Award and two Teen Choice Awards for the latter.
April 14, 2006: Scary Movie 4 Premiere
On April 14, 2006, Anna Faris starred in "Scary Movie 4", marking her fourth and final time playing Cindy Campbell.
2006: Scary Movie 4 and My Super Ex-Girlfriend
In 2006, Anna Faris appeared in "Scary Movie 4", marking her final appearance in the series, and also starred in "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" alongside Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson.
November 30, 2007: Mama's Boy Premiere
On November 30, 2007, Anna Faris's film "Mama's Boy" premiered to lukewarm critical and commercial responses.
2007: Filming Take Me Home Tonight
In 2007, Anna Faris filmed the retro comedy, "Take Me Home Tonight," which was released four years later, on March 4, 2011.
2007: Starring in Smiley Face
In 2007, Anna Faris starred in the independent stoner comedy "Smiley Face," receiving positive reviews for her performance as Jane F.
2007: Starring in Smiley Face and Stony Award
In 2007, Anna Faris starred in the stoner comedy "Smiley Face", earning her the "Stonette of the Year" prize at High Times magazine's Stony Awards.
August 22, 2008: Release of The House Bunny
On August 22, 2008, "The House Bunny", starring Anna Faris, was released in the US, earning US$70 million in its global theatrical run.
2008: Starring in The House Bunny
In 2008, Anna Faris starred in the comedy "The House Bunny" as Shelley, a former Playboy bunny, receiving favorable reviews for her performance.
2009: Appearance in Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel
In 2009, Anna Faris appeared in the British science fiction-comedy "Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel", playing Cassie, a girl from the future.
2009: Voice Roles in Film Series
In 2009, Anna Faris began providing voice-over roles in the film series "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks."
2009: Observe and Report, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Alvin and the Chipmunks
In 2009, Anna Faris co-starred in the black comedy "Observe and Report", voiced roles in "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs", and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel".
2009: Reflecting on Scary Movie Experience
In 2009, Anna Faris reflected on her experience in "Scary Movie", noting that it served as a "great boot camp" for her career.
December 17, 2010: Release of Yogi Bear
On December 17, 2010, Anna Faris starred in the animated live-action film "Yogi Bear" as a nature documentary filmmaker.
March 4, 2011: Release of Take Me Home Tonight
On March 4, 2011, the retro comedy "Take Me Home Tonight", filmed in 2007, was released, and Anna Faris received a Teen Choice Award nomination.
September 30, 2011: Release of What's Your Number?
On September 30, 2011, "What's Your Number?", starring and executive produced by Anna Faris, was released.
December 16, 2011: Release of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
On December 16, 2011, Anna Faris reprised her voice-over role in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked".
2011: Starring in What's Your Number?
In 2011, Anna Faris starred in and executive produced "What's Your Number?", a retro comedy. She also obtained a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie Actress.
May 2012: Red Robin training video
In May 2012, Anna Faris mentioned appearing in a training video for Red Robin.
2012: The Dictator and Star of the Year Award
In 2012, Anna Faris co-starred in the political satire "The Dictator" and earned the Star of the Year Award at the National Association of Theatre Owners.
September 23, 2013: Debut of Mom
On September 23, 2013, Anna Faris obtained the main role of Christy in the CBS sitcom series Mom, which gave Faris her first full-time television role.
2013: Acting in Movie 43 and I Give It a Year
In 2013, Anna Faris acted in Movie 43 with her then-husband Chris Pratt. She also starred in the British romantic comedy I Give It a Year in 2013.
2013: Starring in Mom
In 2013, Anna Faris started starring as Christy Plunkett in the CBS sitcom "Mom".
January 7, 2015: Hosting the People's Choice Awards
On January 7, 2015, Anna Faris and Mom co-star Allison Janney hosted the 41st People's Choice Awards.
2015: Alvin and the Chipmunks
In 2015, Anna Faris continued voice acting in "Alvin and the Chipmunks".
2015: Launch of Unqualified Podcast
In 2015, Anna Faris launched "Unqualified", an advice podcast.
2015: Reprising Voice-Over Role
In 2015, Anna Faris reprised her voice-over role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
2016: Appearance in Keanu and Music Video
In 2016, Anna Faris had a brief appearance in the action-comedy Keanu and starred in the music video for the song "Hold on to Me" by Mondo Cozmo.
October 2017: Publication of Unqualified
In October 2017, Anna Faris published her first book, Unqualified, which became one of the "top 20 blockbuster books of autumn," according to Amazon.
2017: Voice role in The Emoji Movie
In 2017, Anna Faris provided a voice-over role in "The Emoji Movie".
2017: Publication of Unqualified Memoir
In 2017, Anna Faris published her memoir "Unqualified", which became a New York Times Best Seller.
2018: Starring in Overboard
In 2018, Anna Faris played a leading role in Overboard, a remake of the 1987 film of the same name.
2020: End of Mom series
In 2020, Anna Faris concluded her starring role as Christy Plunkett in the CBS sitcom "Mom".
2020: Departure from Mom
In 2020, Anna Faris left the show Mom after seven seasons.
