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 highly successful American actress and producer recognized for her roles in both blockbuster franchises and independent films. Her movies have collectively earned over $6 billion globally. She was the highest-paid actress worldwide in 2015 and 2016 and featured in Time's 100 most influential people in 2013, as well as Forbes Celebrity 100 from 2013-2016. Lawrence has received critical acclaim, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Peabody Award.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

2011: Joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

In 2011, Jennifer Lawrence became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

2012: Named Entertainer of the Year

In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence was named "Entertainer of the Year" by Entertainment Weekly.

2012: Golden Globe Award for Silver Linings Playbook

In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for Silver Linings Playbook.

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2013: Screening of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' to benefit Saint Mary's Center

In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence organized an early screening of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" to benefit Saint Mary's Center, a disabilities organization in Louisville. The screening raised more than $40,000 for the cause.

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2013: Won Golden Globe and BAFTA for American Hustle

In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for American Hustle.

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2014: Partnered with Chideo to raise funds for Special Olympics.

In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence collaborated with the charity broadcast network Chideo to raise funds for the Special Olympics World Summer Games by screening her film Serena.

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2014: Release of Mockingjay – Part 1 and Recording of "The Hanging Tree"

In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence starred in "Mockingjay – Part 1", the third film in 'The Hunger Games' series, and recorded the song "The Hanging Tree" for its soundtrack. The song charted on multiple international singles charts. The film grossed over $650 million worldwide.

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2014: Earning $10 Million Per Film

In 2014, The Daily Telegraph reported that Jennifer Lawrence was earning $10 million per film. Forbes listed Lawrence as the second-highest-paid actress in the world with earnings of $34 million and named her as the most powerful actress, ranking at number 12 on the magazine's Celebrity 100 list.

2015: Feminist views and criticising gender pay gap

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence identified as a feminist and criticized the gender pay gap in Hollywood in an essay for Lenny Letter, describing her own experiences, such as the lesser pay she received for her work on American Hustle in comparison to her male co-stars. She also condemned Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis for her opposition to same-sex marriage.

2015: Fundraising for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence partnered with the charity broadcast network Chideo to raise funds for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games by screening her film Serena (2014). She also collaborated with Omaze to host a fundraising contest for the games as part of the premiere of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014).

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2015: Release of Mockingjay – Part 2

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence starred in "Mockingjay – Part 2", the final installment of 'The Hunger Games' film series. While filming a scene in a tunnel for Part 2, a fog machine malfunctioned and released an excessive amount of fog, nearly suffocating Lawrence. She was carried out by a rescue crew. The film grossed over $650 million worldwide.

2015: Starring in Joy

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence starred in the biopic "Joy", playing a single mother who becomes a successful businesswoman after inventing the Miracle Mop. She also won her third Golden Globe for it, and was nominated for another Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the youngest actor in history to accrue four Oscar nominations.

2015: Charitable Initiatives and Foundation Launch

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence teamed with Hutcherson and Hemsworth for Prank It FWD, a charitable initiative to raise money for the nonprofit organization DoSomething. That year, she also launched the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation, which supports charities such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics.

2015: Named Entertainer of the Year

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence was named "Entertainer of the Year" by Entertainment Weekly and recognized as the highest-grossing action heroine in Guinness World Records for starring in The Hunger Games series. Forbes ranked her as the world's highest-paid actress, with annual earnings of $52 million.

2015: Golden Globe Award for Joy

In 2015, Jennifer Lawrence won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for Joy.

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2016: Ranked as World's Highest-Paid Actress

In 2016, Forbes ranked Jennifer Lawrence as the world's highest-paid actress, with annual earnings of $46 million.

2016: Donation 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: Narration of A Beautiful Planet and Starring in X-Men: Apocalypse and Passengers

In 2016, Jennifer Lawrence narrated the documentary "A Beautiful Planet" and played Mystique in "X-Men: Apocalypse". She also starred in the science fiction romance "Passengers" alongside Chris Pratt and was awarded Favorite Movie Actress at the 43rd People's Choice Awards.

2017: Starring in Mother!

In 2017, Jennifer Lawrence starred in Darren Aronofsky's psychological horror film "Mother!". She played a young wife who experiences trauma when her home is invaded by unexpected guests.

2018: Time's Up Initiative and Women's March Participation

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 and took part in the 2018 Women's March in Los Angeles. Also in 2018, Lawrence 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.

2018: Ranked Among the Highest-Paid Actresses

In 2018, Jennifer Lawrence was ranked as the world's fourth highest-paid actress, with earnings of $18 million, and listed among the 100 most powerful people in entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.

2019: Films Gross Over $6 Billion Worldwide

As of 2019, Jennifer Lawrence's films have grossed over $6 billion worldwide.

2019: Final Appearance as Mystique in Dark Phoenix

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 in Don't Look Up

In 2021, Jennifer Lawrence returned to acting in Adam McKay's Netflix film "Don't Look Up", playing an astronomer attempting to warn humanity about an extinction-level asteroid. The film broke the record for the most views, 152 million hours in a single week in Netflix history, and ranks as the platform's second most-watched film within 28 days of release.

2021: Attended Rally for Abortion Justice

In 2021, while pregnant, Jennifer Lawrence showed her support for abortion rights by attending the Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C. alongside Amy Schumer, holding a sign that read "Women can't be free if they don't control their bodies."

2022: Starring in and Producing Causeway

In 2022, Jennifer Lawrence starred in and produced Lila Neugebauer's independent drama "Causeway", playing a soldier suffering from a brain injury. She produced the film under her company, Excellent Cadaver.

2023: Producing Bread and Roses and Starring in No Hard Feelings

In 2023, Jennifer Lawrence produced "Bread and Roses", a documentary film about Afghan women under Taliban rule, and starred in the sex comedy "No Hard Feelings", which she also produced. She received another Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film.

2024: Executive Producing Zuraswki v. Texas

In 2024, Jennifer Lawrence executive produced the documentary Zuraswki v. Texas.

2024: Support for LGBTQ+ community at GLAAD Media Awards

In 2024, during a speech at the GLAAD Media Awards, Jennifer Lawrence voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community, adding that her "first love" was gay and mentioned her failed attempts to "convert him".