History of Jessica Chastain in Timeline

Jessica Chastain is a celebrated American actress and producer, recognized for her focus on feminist themes in her work. She has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She has also been nominated for two British Academy Film Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Her influence was acknowledged when Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.

Sections (4)

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

1934: Agatha Christie's Poirot is based on Murder on the Orient Express

In 2010, Jessica Chastain appeared in an episode of the British television series "Agatha Christie's Poirot", based on Agatha Christie's 1934 novel "Murder on the Orient Express".

1940: Rebecca

In 1940, the movie Rebecca was released. It served as inspiration for Jessica Chastain's character in Crimson Peak in 2015.

1947: The Heiress

In 1947, the play 'The Heiress' was originally released.

1962: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

In 1962, the movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? was released. It served as inspiration for Jessica Chastain's character in Crimson Peak in 2015.

March 24, 1977: Jessica Chastain's Birth

On March 24, 1977, Jessica Michelle Chastain was born in Sacramento, California, to Jerri Renee Hastey and Michael Monasterio.

Others born on this day/year

1981: Setting of A Most Violent Year

The events of 'A Most Violent Year' are set in New York City in 1981, the year the city had the highest crime rate.

1996: Attended Sacramento City College

In 1996, Jessica Chastain attended Sacramento City College.

1997: Member of the Debate Team

From 1996 to 1997, Jessica Chastain was a member of the debate team at Sacramento City College.

1998: Graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts

In 1998, Jessica Chastain finished her education at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her professional stage debut as Juliet.

1998: Professional Stage Debut as Juliet

In 1998, Jessica Chastain made her professional stage debut as Juliet in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".

2001: September 11 attacks

In 2001, the September 11 attacks happened, which triggered the nearly decade-long manhunt for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, which is depicted in the movie 'Zero Dark Thirty'.

2003: Graduation from Juilliard School

In 2003, Jessica Chastain graduated from the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

2003: Suicide of Sister Juliet

In 2003, Jessica Chastain's younger sister, Juliet, committed suicide following years of drug addiction.

2004: ER Guest Appearance

In 2004, Jessica Chastain appeared as a guest performer on the medical drama series "ER", playing a woman she described as "psychotic", which led to her getting more unusual parts.

2004: Television Debut in Dark Shadows Pilot

In 2004, Jessica Chastain made her television debut as Carolyn Stoddard in The WB network's pilot remake of the 1960s gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows".

2004: The Cherry Orchard and Rodney's Wife

In 2004, Jessica Chastain played Anya in "The Cherry Orchard" and worked on "Rodney's Wife", receiving mixed reviews.

2005: Law & Order: Trial by Jury

From 2004 to 2007, Jessica Chastain appeared in various television series, including "Veronica Mars", "Close to Home", "Blackbeard", and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury", playing guest roles.

2006: Television Appearances

From 2004 to 2007, Jessica Chastain appeared in various television series, including "Veronica Mars", "Close to Home", "Blackbeard", and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury", playing guest roles.

2006: Starring in Salome

In 2006, Jessica Chastain starred in Al Pacino's production of Oscar Wilde's tragedy "Salome" at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles, receiving mixed reviews for her performance.

2006: Salome Production

In 2006, Jessica Chastain was in the play Salome, which became the base for the 2011 documentary Wilde Salome.

2007: Television Appearances

From 2004 to 2007, Jessica Chastain appeared in various television series, including "Veronica Mars", "Close to Home", "Blackbeard", and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury", playing guest roles.

2008: Filming of The Tree of Life

In 2008, Jessica Chastain filmed her role in Terrence Malick's experimental drama "The Tree of Life", which was released in 2011.

2008: Film Debut in Jolene

In 2008, Jessica Chastain made her film debut as the titular character in Dan Ireland's drama "Jolene", based on a short story by E. L. Doctorow inspired by Dolly Parton's song "Jolene", winning a Best Actress award at the Seattle International Film Festival for her performance.

2009: Roles in Stolen and Othello

In 2009, Jessica Chastain had a minor role in the mystery-thriller film "Stolen" and played Desdemona in The Public Theatre production of Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello", receiving commendation for her role in the latter.

2010: Starring in The Debt and Agatha Christie's Poirot

In 2010, Jessica Chastain starred in John Madden's dramatic thriller "The Debt" and appeared in an episode of the British television series "Agatha Christie's Poirot", based on Agatha Christie's 1934 novel "Murder on the Orient Express".

2011: Breakthrough Year with Six Film Releases

In 2011, Jessica Chastain had her breakthrough year with six film releases, including the dramas "Take Shelter" and "The Tree of Life".

2011: Recognition for Multiple Film Roles

In 2011, Jessica Chastain received wide recognition for her roles in six film releases, including "Take Shelter", "Coriolanus", and "The Tree of Life".

2011: Wilde Salome and Texas Killing Fields

In 2011, Jessica Chastain starred in "Wilde Salomé", a documentary based on her 2006 production of Salome, and the crime-thriller "Texas Killing Fields".

November 2012: Broadway Debut in The Heiress

In November 2012, Jessica Chastain made her Broadway debut in a revival of the 1947 play 'The Heiress' at the Walter Kerr Theatre. She played Catherine Sloper, a role she initially hesitated to take. The play ran from November 2012 to February 2013 and was a sleeper hit, though Chastain's performance received mixed reviews.

2012: Release of Snow White and the Huntsman

In 2012, 'Snow White and the Huntsman' was released. In 2016, Jessica Chastain starred in the sequel and prequel to the film called, 'The Huntsman: Winter's War'.

2012: Release of Zero Dark Thirty

In 2012, 'Zero Dark Thirty', Kathryn Bigelow's thriller, was Jessica Chastain's final film release of the year. She played Maya Harris, a CIA intelligence analyst involved in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. The role was challenging, leading to depression during filming, but garnered Chastain critical acclaim, a Golden Globe Award, and Academy Award nomination.

2012: Acquiring Rights to Tammy Faye's Life

In 2012, Jessica Chastain acquired the rights to Tammy Faye's life, leading to the production of 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' in 2021.

2012: Academy Award Nominations

In 2012, Jessica Chastain received Academy Award nominations for her roles in "The Help" and "Zero Dark Thirty".

2012: Broadway Debut in The Heiress Revival

In 2012, Jessica Chastain starred in a revival of "The Heiress" on Broadway.

2012: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2012, Time magazine recognized Jessica Chastain as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2012: Film Premieres at Cannes Film Festival

In 2012, two of Jessica Chastain's films premiered at the 65th Cannes Film Festival: the animated comedy "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", in which she voiced Gia the Jaguar, and the crime drama "Lawless".

February 2013: The Heiress Ended

In February 2013, Jessica Chastain's Broadway debut in 'The Heiress' at the Walter Kerr Theatre came to an end.

2013: Starring in Mama and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

In 2013, Jessica Chastain starred in the horror film 'Mama', playing a musician. Also in 2013, she starred in and produced the drama 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby'. The success of these movies led her to have leading roles in the top two films at the box office during the film's opening weekend in North America.

2013: Death of Michael Monasterio

In 2013, Michael Monasterio, Jessica Chastain's estranged father, passed away.

2014: Commercial Success with Interstellar and A Most Violent Year

In 2014, Jessica Chastain achieved greater commercial success with the science fiction film "Interstellar" and received acclaim for her role in the drama "A Most Violent Year".

2014: Starring in A Most Violent Year

In 2014, Jessica Chastain starred in 'A Most Violent Year'.

2014: Starring in Miss Julie and Interstellar

In 2014, Jessica Chastain starred in three films, including 'Miss Julie', a film adaptation of August Strindberg's 1888 play, and Christopher Nolan's science fiction film 'Interstellar'.

2015: Starring in The Martian and Crimson Peak

In 2015, Jessica Chastain starred in Ridley Scott's science fiction film 'The Martian' and Guillermo del Toro's gothic romance 'Crimson Peak'. The Martian became her second film to gross over $600 million in two consecutive years.

2015: Starring in The Martian

In 2015, Jessica Chastain starred in the science fiction film "The Martian".

2016: Acclaim for Miss Sloane

In 2016, Jessica Chastain received further acclaim for playing a strong-willed woman in the drama "Miss Sloane".

2016: Starring in The Huntsman: Winter's War and Miss Sloane

In 2016, Jessica Chastain starred in 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' and 'Miss Sloane'. Also in 2016, she launched her production company, Freckle Films.

2017: Release of It

In 2017, 'It' was released. In 2019, Jessica Chastain starred in the sequel called 'It Chapter Two'.

2017: Acclaim for Molly's Game

In 2017, Jessica Chastain received further acclaim for playing a strong-willed woman in the drama "Molly's Game".

2017: Executive Producer for I Am Jane Doe and starring in The Zookeeper's Wife and Woman Walks Ahead

In 2017, Jessica Chastain served as the executive producer and narrator for 'I Am Jane Doe', a documentary on sex trafficking. She also starred in 'The Zookeeper's Wife' and 'Woman Walks Ahead', both directed by women.

2018: Hosting Saturday Night Live

In 2018, Jessica Chastain hosted an episode of the television sketch comedy show 'Saturday Night Live' and voiced the virtual reality production 'Spheres: Songs of Spacetime'.

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2019: Starring in Dark Phoenix and It Chapter Two

In 2019, Jessica Chastain starred in 'Dark Phoenix' and 'It Chapter Two'.

2019: Role in It Chapter Two

In 2019, Jessica Chastain starred in the horror film "It Chapter Two".

2019: Release of Joker

In 2019, the movie Joker was released. Jessica Chastain's performance in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' was compared to Joaquin Phoenix's performance in 'Joker'.

2020: Starring in Ava

In 2020, Jessica Chastain produced and starred in the action film 'Ava' under Freckle Films. It was released theatrically during the COVID-19 pandemic and performed poorly at the box office, but gained success on video on demand.

2021: Starring in The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In 2021, Jessica Chastain starred as Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye', a biopic that she also produced. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, Critics Choice Award and SAG Award, and a Golden Globe nomination.

2021: Scenes from a Marriage and The Eyes of Tammy Faye

In 2021, Jessica Chastain starred in the television miniseries "Scenes from a Marriage" and portrayed Tammy Faye Bakker in the biopic "The Eyes of Tammy Faye", winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for the latter.