Jennifer Connelly started as a child model before transitioning to acting. Her early roles included films like "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984), "Phenomena" (1985), "Labyrinth" (1986), "Career Opportunities" (1991), and "The Rocketeer" (1991). She gained recognition for her performances in "Dark City" (1998) and "Requiem for a Dream" (2000), the latter showcasing her portrayal of a drug addict. Her career has spanned diverse genres, from crime and horror to musical fantasy, romantic comedy, and science fiction.
1942: Birth of Ilene Carol Schumann
Connelly's mother, Ilene Carol Schumann, was born in 1942.
1951: The Day the Earth Stood Still (original)
The original science fiction film "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was released in 1951.
December 12, 1970: Birth of Jennifer Lynn Connelly
Jennifer Lynn Connelly was born on December 12, 1970, in Round Top, New York.
1976: Move to Woodstock
The Connelly family moved to Woodstock, New York in 1976.
1982: Filming of Once Upon a Time in America
Filming for "Once Upon a Time in America", Connelly's first film, began in 1982.
1983: Winter's Tale (novel release)
The novel "Winter's Tale" by Mark Helprin, which was later adapted into a film starring Connelly, was originally published in 1983.
1984: Release of Once Upon a Time in America
"Once Upon a Time in America" was released in 1984, marking Connelly's film debut.
1984: Acting Debut in Once Upon a Time in America
In 1984, Connelly made her acting debut in Sergio Leone's film "Once Upon a Time in America".
1985: Lead Roles in Phenomena and Seven Minutes in Heaven
Connelly starred in Dario Argento's "Phenomena" and "Seven Minutes in Heaven" in 1985.
1985: Phenomena and Seven Minutes in Heaven
Connelly starred in "Phenomena" and "Seven Minutes in Heaven" in 1985.
December 1986: Japanese Pop Song Recordings
Connelly recorded two pop songs, "Monologue of Love" and "Message of Love," for the Japanese market in December 1986.
1986: Labyrinth Release
"Labyrinth", starring Connelly, was released in 1986.
1986: Labyrinth and Japanese Pop Songs
Connelly starred in Jim Henson's "Labyrinth" and released two Japanese pop songs in 1986.
1988: Seventeen Magazine Covers
Connelly appeared on the covers of Seventeen magazine in 1988.
1988: Start of Work on Etoile
Connelly began working on the film "Etoile" in 1988.
1988: High School Graduation and College
Connelly graduated from high school and began studying at Yale University in 1988.
1989: Release of Etoile and Some Girls
"Etoile" and "Some Girls," both starring Connelly, were released in 1989.
1990: The Hot Spot and Consideration for Pretty Woman
Connelly starred in "The Hot Spot" and was considered for the lead role in "Pretty Woman" in 1990.
1991: Career Opportunities and The Rocketeer
In 1991, Jennifer Connelly starred in the romantic comedy "Career Opportunities" and the Disney film "The Rocketeer." "Career Opportunities" drew criticism for its marketing, while "The Rocketeer," despite Connelly's praised performance, failed to significantly boost her career.
1991: Career Opportunities and The Rocketeer
Connelly appeared in the films "Career Opportunities" and "The Rocketeer" in 1991.
1994: Of Love and Shadows
In 1994, Jennifer Connelly appeared in "Of Love and Shadows," an Argentine-American drama film co-starring Antonio Banderas.
1995: Higher Learning
In 1995, Jennifer Connelly was cast in John Singleton's film "Higher Learning," portraying a lesbian college student.
1996: Far Harbor
In 1996, Jennifer Connelly starred in the independent film "Far Harbor" as Elie, a Hollywood studio figure who writes a screenplay based on her personal traumas.
1996: Mulholland Falls
In 1996, Jennifer Connelly appeared in the neo-noir thriller "Mulholland Falls," playing the murdered mistress of a general. The film, despite some positive reviews for Connelly's performance, was a box office disappointment.
1996: End of Relationship with Billy Campbell
In 1996, Jennifer Connelly ended her five-year engagement with Billy Campbell, her co-star in "The Rocketeer".
1997: Birth of First Child
Jennifer Connelly's first child, a son, was born in 1997. The father is photographer David Dugan.
1997: Inventing the Abbotts
In 1997, Jennifer Connelly starred in the drama "Inventing the Abbotts," set in the late 1950s. Her performance as Eleanor, the daughter of a town millionaire, garnered positive reviews.
1998: Dark City
In 1998, Jennifer Connelly appeared in the science fiction film "Dark City," playing the role of Emma, a torch singer whose husband suffers from amnesia.
1998: Critical Acclaim for Dark City
Connelly received praise for her performance in the science fiction film "Dark City" in 1998.
2000: Requiem for a Dream
Connelly starred in Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream" in 2000.
2000: Parents' Divorce
Connelly's parents divorced in 2000.
2000: The Street (cancellation)
Connelly's previous television show, "The Street," was cancelled in 2000.
2000: Pollock and The Street
In 2000, Jennifer Connelly portrayed Ruth Kligman in the biopic "Pollock" and also appeared as Catherine Miller in the television series "The Street."
2000: Waking the Dead
In 2000, Jennifer Connelly starred in "Waking the Dead," playing Sarah Williams, an activist killed by a car bomb. Her performance received critical acclaim.
2001: Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind
Connelly won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "A Beautiful Mind" in 2001.
2001: A Beautiful Mind
In 2001, Jennifer Connelly starred as Alicia Nash in "A Beautiful Mind." The film was a critical and commercial success, and Connelly won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for her performance.
2002: Dark Water (original)
The Japanese film "Dark Water" was released in 2002, later being remade in 2005 with Connelly in the lead role.
January 1, 2003: Marriage to Paul Bettany
On January 1, 2003, Jennifer Connelly married actor Paul Bettany in a private ceremony held in Scotland. The couple met on the set of the film "A Beautiful Mind".
2003: House of Sand and Fog
In 2003, Jennifer Connelly starred in "House of Sand and Fog," portraying Kathy Nicolo, a woman whose house is sold at auction. Her performance was critically acclaimed, highlighting her portrayal of a "selfish, desperate and lonely woman."
2003: Hulk and House of Sand and Fog
Connelly appeared in "Hulk" and "House of Sand and Fog" in 2003.
2003: Hulk
In 2003, Jennifer Connelly played Betty Ross in Ang Lee's "Hulk." The film achieved moderate success.
November 14, 2005: Amnesty International Ambassador
Jennifer Connelly was appointed Amnesty International Ambassador for Human Rights Education on November 14, 2005.
2005: Amnesty International Ambassador
Connelly became an Amnesty International Ambassador for Human Rights Education in 2005.
2005: Dark Water
Connelly starred in the horror film "Dark Water" in 2005.
2005: Dark Water
In 2005, Connelly returned to film after a two-year break with "Dark Water," a horror-psychological thriller. She played Dahlia, a mother facing horrific circumstances.
2006: Little Children and Blood Diamond
Connelly starred in "Little Children" and "Blood Diamond" in 2006.
2007: Reservation Road
Connelly starred as Grace in the 2007 drama "Reservation Road." This role, in which she dealt with the aftermath of her son's death, was considered one of her most challenging.
2008: Brand Ambassador for Balenciaga and Revlon
In 2008, Jennifer Connelly served as the face of both Balenciaga and Revlon, reflecting her status as one of the world's most beautiful women according to publications like Vanity Fair, Esquire, and the Los Angeles Times.
2008: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Connelly appeared in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" in 2008.
2008: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Connelly played astrobiologist Helen Benson in the 2008 remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still," appearing alongside Keanu Reeves.
2008: Death of Gerard Connelly
Connelly's father passed away in 2008.
May 2, 2009: Participation in Revlon's Run/Walk for Women
On May 2, 2009, Jennifer Connelly participated in Revlon's annual 5k Run/Walk for Women.
2009: He's Just Not That Into You
Connelly appeared in "He's Just Not That Into You" in 2009.
2009: He's Just Not That Into You
In 2009, Connelly appeared in the romantic comedy-drama "He's Just Not That Into You," working with Jennifer Aniston and Ginnifer Goodwin.
2009: Creation and 9
In 2009, Connelly starred in the biopic "Creation" as Emma Darwin, alongside her real-life husband, Paul Bettany, who played Charles Darwin. She also voiced the character "7" in the animated film "9."
September 15, 2010: Virginia (premiere)
"Virginia," starring Connelly as the title character, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2010.
2011: The Dilemma, Salvation Boulevard, The Sheltering Sky
2011 saw Connelly star in "The Dilemma" with Vince Vaughn and "Salvation Boulevard." She also recorded an audiobook of "The Sheltering Sky."
2011: Birth of Daughter
Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany welcomed their daughter in 2011.
February 2012: Shiseido Global Brand Ambassador
Jennifer Connelly was named Shiseido's first global brand ambassador in February 2012, renewing her collaboration with the company after working with them in the 1980s.
March 2012: The Sheltering Sky (audiobook release)
Connelly's audiobook version of "The Sheltering Sky" was released in March 2012.
May 2012: Virginia (limited release)
"Virginia" received a limited release in May 2012.
May 2012: Save the Children Ambassador
In May 2012, Jennifer Connelly became an ambassador for Save the Children, advocating for children's rights globally.
2012: Stuck in Love (premiere)
"Stuck in Love," featuring Connelly as the ex-wife of Greg Kinnear's character, premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.
2012: Shiseido Global Face
Connelly became the first global face of Shiseido in 2012.
2013: Death of Ilene Carol Connelly
Connelly's mother passed away in 2013.
2014: Noah
Connelly appeared in Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" in 2014.
2014: Winter's Tale and Aloft
Connelly appeared in the film adaptation of "Winter's Tale" and in "Aloft" in 2014.
2014: Noah
Connelly portrayed Naameh in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic "Noah" in 2014, acting alongside Russell Crowe.
2015: Louis Vuitton House Ambassador
Beginning in 2015, Jennifer Connelly became the House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
2015: Shelter
In 2015, Connelly starred in "Shelter," directed by her husband Paul Bettany.
2019: Alita: Battle Angel
Connelly appeared in "Alita: Battle Angel" in 2019.
2020: Snowpiercer
Connelly began starring in the television series "Snowpiercer" in 2020.
2020: Snowpiercer (start)
Connelly joined the television series "Snowpiercer" in 2020, marking her return to television.
2022: Top Gun: Maverick
Connelly appeared in "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022.
2022: Top Gun: Maverick
In 2022, Connelly appeared as Penelope "Penny" Benjamin in the blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick," directed by Joseph Kosinski.
2024: Snowpiercer (end)
"Snowpiercer", Connelly's television series, continued airing through 2024.
2024: Dark Matter
Connelly starred in the television series "Dark Matter" in 2024.