Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jennifer Lawrence
Discover the career path of Jennifer Lawrence, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jennifer Lawrence is a celebrated American actress and producer recognized for her roles in blockbuster franchises and independent films. Her movies have collectively earned over $6 billion globally. She was the highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016 and featured in Time's 100 most influential people (2013) and Forbes Celebrity 100 (2013-2016). Lawrence has received an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Peabody Award.
2005: Filmed The Devil You Know
In 2005, Jennifer Lawrence filmed the small-scale production The Devil You Know, which was later released in 2013.
2006: Minor Role in Company Town Pilot
In 2006, Jennifer Lawrence began her acting career with a minor role in the television pilot Company Town, which was never sold. She also had guest roles in Monk.
2006: X-Men: The Last Stand Release
In 2006, X-Men: The Last Stand was released. Later, X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) served as a sequel to it.
2007: Guest Role in Medium and Series Regular in The Bill Engvall Show
In 2007, Jennifer Lawrence had a guest role in Medium and received her first part as a series regular on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.
2007: Main Role on The Bill Engvall Show
In 2007, Jennifer Lawrence secured her first major role as a main cast member on the sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.
2008: Film Debut and Other Film Roles
In 2008, Jennifer Lawrence made her film debut in Garden Party. She also appeared in The Burning Plain, starred in The Poker House, and was awarded the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Emerging Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
2008: Film Debut in Garden Party
In 2008, Jennifer Lawrence made her film debut with a supporting role in the drama Garden Party.
2009: Filming of The Beaver
In 2009, Jennifer Lawrence filmed The Beaver with Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson, although the production's release was delayed due to controversy.
2009: Young Artist Award for The Bill Engvall Show
In 2009, Jennifer Lawrence won a Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Performer in a TV Series for her role in The Bill Engvall Show.
2009: The Bill Engvall Show Ends
In 2009, The Bill Engvall Show, where Jennifer Lawrence played a main role, concluded after running for three seasons.
2010: Breakthrough Role in Winter's Bone
In 2010, Jennifer Lawrence achieved her breakthrough role playing a poverty-stricken teenager in the independent film Winter's Bone.
2011: Gaining Stardom as Mystique in X-Men
In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence gained stardom portraying the mutant Mystique in the X-Men film series.
2011: Joined Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2011: X-Men: First Class Release
In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence starred in X-Men: First Class, a prequel to the X-Men film series, portraying the shapeshifting mutant Mystique. The role required weight loss, yoga practice, and extensive makeup application.
2011: Supporting Roles in Like Crazy and The Beaver
In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence took on supporting roles in Like Crazy, a romantic drama, and The Beaver alongside Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson.
2012: Filming of Serena
In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence filmed Serena alongside Bradley Cooper, which was released in 2014 to poor reviews.
2012: Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games
In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence gained further stardom portraying Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series.
2012: Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence portrayed a troubled young widow in Silver Linings Playbook, which garnered her significant recognition and the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2012: Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence starred in Silver Linings Playbook as Tiffany Maxwell, winning the Golden Globe, SAG Award and the Academy Award for Best Actress. Also in 2012, she starred in House at the End of the Street.
2012: Won Golden Globe for Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for Silver Linings Playbook.
January 2013: Hosts Saturday Night Live
In January 2013, Jennifer Lawrence hosted an episode of the NBC late-night sketch comedy Saturday Night Live.
2013: Won Golden Globe and BAFTA for American Hustle
In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for American Hustle.
2013: BAFTA Award for American Hustle
In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing an unpredictable wife in the black comedy American Hustle.
2013: The Devil You Know and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
In 2013, The Devil You Know was released and Jennifer Lawrence reprised her role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which remains her highest-grossing film.
2014: Fundraising Contest for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence collaborated with Omaze to host a fundraising contest for the Special Olympics games as part of the premiere of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1".
2014: Mockingjay – Part 1 release and song recording
In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence starred in "Mockingjay – Part 1", the third installment of The Hunger Games film series. She also recorded the song "The Hanging Tree" for the film's soundtrack, which charted on international singles charts.
2014: Serena Release and X-Men: Days of Future Past
In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence starred in Serena, which was filmed in 2012, and reprised her role as Mystique in X-Men: Days of Future Past, which became the highest-grossing film in the X-Men series to that point.
2015: The Hunger Games film series End
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence finished her role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series, solidifying her position as the highest-grossing action heroine.
2015: Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Founded
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence founded the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation, which advocates for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics.
2015: Feminist Views and Criticism of Gender Pay Gap
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence identifies as a feminist. She wrote an essay for Lenny Letter criticizing the gender pay gap in Hollywood.
2015: Launched the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence launched the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation, which supports charities such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics.
2015: Partnered with Chideo for Special Olympics
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence partnered with Chideo to raise funds for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games by screening her film Serena.
2015: Golden Globe Award for Joy
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence received a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of businesswoman Joy Mangano in the biopic Joy.
2015: Mockingjay – Part 2 release and on-set near suffocation
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence starred in "Mockingjay – Part 2", the final installment of The Hunger Games film series. During filming, a fog machine malfunction caused a near-suffocation incident for Lawrence in a tunnel.
2015: Joy release, Golden Globe win, and Oscar nomination
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence starred in the biopic "Joy", receiving critical acclaim. Despite disagreements with director David O. Russell during production, her performance was highly praised, leading to her third Golden Globe win and her fourth Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
2015: Highest-Paid Actress in the World
In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence was recognized as the world's highest-paid actress.
2016: Donated $2 Million to Kosair Children's Hospital
In 2016, Jennifer Lawrence donated $2 million to the Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville to set up a cardiac intensive care unit named after her foundation.
2016: A Beautiful Planet Narration, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Passengers release
In 2016, Jennifer Lawrence narrated "A Beautiful Planet", played Mystique in "X-Men: Apocalypse" (receiving mixed reviews), and starred in "Passengers". She won Favorite Movie Actress at the 43rd People's Choice Awards and later expressed regret over starring in "Passengers".
2016: Highest-Paid Actress in the World
In 2016, Jennifer Lawrence was again recognized as the world's highest-paid actress.
2017: Mother! release and grueling role
In 2017, Jennifer Lawrence starred in Darren Aronofsky's psychological horror film "Mother!". The intense role proved grueling for her, resulting in supplemental oxygen and a dislocated rib. The film polarized audiences.
2018: Collaborated on Time's Up Initiative and Participated in Women's March
In 2018, Jennifer Lawrence collaborated with 300 women in Hollywood to set up the Time's Up initiative to protect women from harassment and discrimination. She also took part in the 2018 Women's March in Los Angeles and spoke out in support of retaining ranked-choice voting in Maine.
2018: Formation of Excellent Cadaver production company
In 2018, Jennifer Lawrence formed her production company, Excellent Cadaver.
2019: Lawrence's films gross over $6 billion worldwide
As of 2019, Jennifer Lawrence's films have grossed over $6 billion worldwide.
2019: End of X-Men Film Series Role
In 2019, Jennifer Lawrence finished her role as Mystique in the X-Men film series.
2019: Dark Phoenix Release
In 2019, Jennifer Lawrence made her fourth and final appearance as Mystique in the superhero film "Dark Phoenix", which was a critical and box-office failure.
2021: Return to acting with Don't Look Up
In 2021, Jennifer Lawrence returned to acting in Adam McKay's Netflix film "Don't Look Up". The film received mixed reviews, but critics praised her performance.
2021: Attended Rally for Abortion Justice
In 2021, Jennifer Lawrence showed her support for abortion rights by attending the Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C. while pregnant.
2022: Produces and Stars in Causeway
In 2022, Jennifer Lawrence produced and starred in the drama Causeway.
2022: Causeway release and production
In 2022, Jennifer Lawrence starred in and produced Lila Neugebauer's independent drama "Causeway", playing a soldier suffering from a brain injury. This film was produced under her company, Excellent Cadaver.
2023: No Hard Feelings release
In 2023, Jennifer Lawrence starred in and produced the sex comedy "No Hard Feelings", directed by Gene Stupnitsky. Reviewers had favorable opinions on the film and appreciated Lawrence's comic timing.
2023: Stars in No Hard Feelings
In 2023, Jennifer Lawrence starred in the comedy No Hard Feelings.
2024: Voiced Support for LGBTQ+ Community at GLAAD Media Awards
During a speech at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, Jennifer Lawrence voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
2024: Zuraswki v. Texas Executive Production
In 2024, Jennifer Lawrence executive produced the documentary "Zuraswki v. Texas".
2025: Critical Acclaim for Die, My Love
In 2025, Jennifer Lawrence received renewed critical attention for her lead role in the psychological drama Die, My Love.
2025: Die, My Love release and critical acclaim
In 2025, Jennifer Lawrence starred in and produced "Die, My Love", directed by Lynne Ramsay, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her performance garnered acclaim, marking a return to form for the actress.
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