Sandra Bullock
Sandra Annette Bullock (Arlington, Virginia, July 26, 1964) is an American film and television actress, director, and producer. She is known for her participation in films such as Speed, Miss Congeniality, The Proposal, Gravity, Ocean& #39;s 8 and The Blind Side, for which she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama, the Syndicate Award for Actors for Best Leading Actress and the Film Critics Award for Best Actress. She also starred in Crash, a feature film that won the Best Picture award at the 78th Academy Awards.
According to the publication Forbes, she was the highest paid actress in 2010 and 2013 with estimated earnings of 56 million dollars and 38 million Euros respectively. As a result of the success of The Lost City in 2022 became the second actress after Julia Roberts to have starred in films that have exceeded one hundred million dollars at the North American box office for four consecutive decades.
In April 2010, her divorce from presenter Jesse G. James became official, after five years of marriage, due to his infidelities. She also revealed that she had adopted an Afro-descendant boy named Louis.In December 2015, she announced that she had increased her family by adopting a three-year-old Afro-descendant girl named Laila.
She was recognized at the 2013 People's Choice Awards for her humanitarian work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. On the other hand, in 2018, it was published that she was one of the main contributors to the cause Time's Up (in Spanish: se acabó el tiempo), which aims to improve the position of women in the film industry.
Biography
He was born on July 26, 1964 in Arlington, Virginia, United States, into a family closely linked to art. During her childhood, she traveled with her parents to Europe where she lived and was educated, primarily in Nuremberg (Germany), the country where her mother, Helga Mathilde Meyer (1942-2000), opera singer and singing teacher. Their father, John Wilson Bullock (1925-2018), was with them as he was an opera director and vocal coach, in addition to almost always directing his wife on important European stages, mainly in Salzburg (Austria). Because of during his stay in both countries he learned to speak German fluently.
This is how he came into contact with the artistic environment, without forgetting his participation alongside his sister, Gesine, in the children's choirs of the productions in which his mother took part. After several years on the European continent, where she spent most of her adolescence, the family moved to Arlington, Virginia, United States, and she enrolled at East Carolina University with the aim of studying art. dramatic. Then, with the intention of developing a career as an actress, she took part in several Off-Broadway shows while she was working as a waitress in a New York diner.
Career
1987-1994
He made his acting debut in 1987 with the thriller Hangmen, in which he had a brief role. In 1989 she participated in the telefilm Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman in which young assistants try to catch a bionic spy. During that year she took part in various productions such as the television series Starting from Scratch , where she appeared in one episode. She was also in the comedy Who Shot Patakango? which deals with racial problems in a high school during the 1950s. The fourth production she worked on was the romantic comedy Religion, Inc , in which she plays the girlfriend of an advertising executive trying to market a new religion. Her last appearance that year was in the television movie The Preppie Murder .
In 1990, he was in the miniseries Lucky Chances, based on a novel by Jackie Collins. Still in 1990, she obtained a main character playing a secretary in the series Working Girl, adaptation for television of the film with the same name released in 1988, of which only eight episodes were broadcast due to low audiences. In 1992, she starred with Tate Donovan in the romantic comedy Love Potion No. 9, in which she plays a young woman who is attracted to a man because of the potion he has taken. However, critics generally rejected the proposal, her first appearance in 1993 was in a small role opposite Jeff Bridges and Kiefer Sutherland in the thriller The Vanishing , in which she plays the victim of a kidnapping. She later starred in the comedy When the Party's Over as Amanda, a young woman in her thirties who sees her life change after the New Year's Eve celebration.
Also in 1993, she worked under the orders of Peter Bogdanovich in the musical The Thing Called Love, opposite River Phoenix, playing a young aspiring singer. The critical consensus was that the film had nothing new to contribute, but the energy of the story and the cast's performances stood out. On the other hand, despite having been filmed three years earlier, the drama Fire on the Amazon was released in 1993, where she plays an environmentalist who is involved in a plot after the assassination of the leader of the Indian anti-deforestation movement. Following that year, she played a police lieutenant in the film science fiction Demolition Man, with Sylvester Stallone. The tape obtained the approval of the press and the public, since it raised 159 million dollars around the planet. Lastly, he appeared in the drama Wrestling Ernest Hemingway, in which he plays a waitress who befriends the character played by Robert Duvall.
Although she was advised not to participate because it was nothing more than "a bus movie", her recognition came in 1994 with the action film Speed, alongside Keanu Reeves. She played a passenger who He has to drive a bus carrying a bomb that will explode if it goes below 50 miles/h (80km/h). The tape was universally acclaimed by critics and the actress received positive marks for her performance, journalist Peter Travers argued that: “the intelligent and brash Bullock is a knockout. It makes us believe the impossible things Annie is doing and, better yet, it makes us care." The film sold $350 million in tickets worldwide. That same year it was released directly to the domestic market. the comedy Who Do I Gotta Kill?, in which he played a supporting character.
1995-1999
Her first leading roles came in 1995, initially with the romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping opposite Bill Pullman, in which she plays a lonely subway ticket girl whose romantic interest is the brother of one of the regular passengers. The film was applauded by the press, primarily praising her performance, for which she received her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The film grossed $182 million worldwide at the box office. She then played a computer programmer who uncovers a conspiracy surrounding an Internet program in the thriller The Net, directed by Irwin Winkler. The journalist Owen Gleiberman indicated that: «the actress gives everything; heart, soul, and also, mind."
In 1996 he starred in three new films, first the romantic comedy Two If by Sea was released with Denis Leary, in which they both play a couple who steal works of art that they later sell to an unscrupulous dealer. The journalist Lisa Schwarzbaum stated that: "Sandra Bullock does not favor her career or her fans with this discouraging production." >A Time to Kill, directed by Joel Schumacher. Here she plays a young lawyer who assists her in a controversial racially themed trial. Todd McCarthy of Variety magazine opined that it "is one of the most satisfying film adaptations of a John Grisham novel to date". The film grossed $152 million internationally.
In addition, in 1996, he recreated with Chris O'Donnell the romance that Ernest Hemingway lived with Agnes von Kurowsky during World War I in the biographical drama In Love and War, by Richard Attenborough. Her performance was questioned, writer Edward Guthmann noted that: "Bullock is a casting error. She looks like she's dull and sedated.” In 1997 she reprized the role that made her popular in Speed 2: Cruise Control, the story of a cruise ship that is hijacked by a computer lunatic., played by Willem Dafoe. The film generated mostly negative comments, disapproving of the laughable dialogues and mediocre action sequences. The film is considered one of the worst sequels ever made, and Time magazine included it as one of the biggest disappointments. financial history.
In 1998, he appeared in different projects, firstly the romantic drama Hope Floats was released, directed by Forest Whitaker, in which he acts as a housewife whose husband confesses his infidelity to her on a television program. television. The chronicler Mick La Salle reviewed that: "the tape is maudlin and false, but it shows that Bullock can act". This same year he also made his debut as a writer and director with the short film Making Sandwiches , years later she stated that she had directed this project to educate herself but noting that she is not talented enough to be a director. witches who have to deal with an ancient family curse. The critic Emanuel Levy opined that: "the best of the film are the two leading actresses, who work and complement each other properly." Lastly, he participated in the animated film The Prince of Egypt giving his voice to the Miriam character.
In 1999, she took part in the romantic comedy Forces of Nature with Ben Affleck, in which she plays an eccentric young woman who travels from New York to Savannah with the purpose of putting her life in order. Journalist Joe Leydon wrote of her performance in Variety magazine stating that: "the beauty of Sandra Bullock's utterly captivating performance is the self-awareness she brings to her character's insane excesses". involvement in this project the actress stressed that: «it was not in my plans, I read the script and I liked it. I thought it would be very stupid of me not to have participated."
2000-2004
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Her first appearance in 2000 was with the comedy Gun Shy, starring Liam Neeson, in which, in addition to having a supporting character playing a nurse, she also served as producer It was posted in the online newspaper Seattle Post-Intelligencer that: "This movie is a bad career move for Sandra Bullock, who seems to be bored and distracted." She later portrayed a troubled writer of alcoholism who is committed to a rehab center in the comedy-drama 28 Days. Her work garnered some positive feedback, with journalist Owen Gleiberman stating that she "is full and alive on screen in a way she hasn't been since Speed". Asked about the difficulty of the character, the The interpreter replied that she had "never worked so hard, and never had the opportunity to be so precise".
The last film of 2000, of which she was also a producer, was the comedy Miss Congeniality alongside Michael Caine and Candice Bergen. In it, she gives life to an FBI agent who looks forced to infiltrate the Miss United States pageant to try to capture a dangerous terrorist. Columnist Louise Keller noted of her work that: "She is simply irresistible, and she shows great comedic talent. Her performance is excellent and energetic." Thanks to this performance, she was nominated for the second time for the Golden Globes for best actress in a comedy or musical. The film was considered a surprise success by the news media, grossing $ 212 million around the globe.
In 2002 three new works arrived, the first of which was with Ryan Gosling and under the direction of Barbet Schroeder in the thriller Murder by Numbers. In it, she plays an FBI agent who has to investigate a murder perpetrated by two teenagers. His performance received widespread praise, with Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times opining that "Bullock does a good job of fighting his natural likability here." Judd in the comedy Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood as a noted playwright who left her hometown to get away from her mother. Critic Claudia Puig wrote in USA Today that: "it's a predictable women's film elevated beyond a mere soap opera thanks to its incredible cast."
The remaining project of 2002 was the romantic comedy Two Weeks Notice, produced by herself, and in which she co-starred Hugh Grant. This time she plays a lawyer who works as a legal adviser for a capricious billionaire with whom she ended up falling in love. “I wanted it to be your typical romantic comedy with these two lovely people. And it was", affirmed the critic Roger Ebert. The film's box office performance reached 199 million dollars after its worldwide exhibition. During an interview, the magazine Cinemanía asked both actors about their experience working together, to which the actress replied: “the really difficult thing is to find someone with whom you interpret at the same level and with whom there is chemistry on screen. In my opinion, this time we have formed a great team."
Between 2002 and 2004, she participated as a guest actress, always playing the same character, in three episodes of the television series George López, being also executive producer of said television series broadcast on the ABC channel Studios until 2007.
2005-2010
In 2005, she was a part of the ensemble drama Crash, written and directed by Paul Haggis, in which she was so committed to being a part that she bought her own plane ticket to go to the set. role as the racist wife of the Los Angeles district attorney -represented by Brendan Fraser-. Columnist Stephen Hunter opined that: "this is one of those rare American films that is really about something, and where almost all the performances are fascinating". The film was awarded three Oscars, including best picture, being considered a one of the most controversial winners in that category. The cast was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast.
Still in 2005 she made a cameo as Mrs. Harker in the drama Loverboy, directed by Kevin Bacon, and also produced and starred in the comedy Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, in which she recovers the character of an FBI agent who, on this occasion, has to rescue her friends after having been kidnapped in Las Vegas. The press reacted negatively to the sequel, critic Roger Ebert ruled that: "Despite the presence of Sandra Bullock, there is really no reason to go see her." About her character, the actress said: "I love it, Gracie can do all the things that women can't and that we don't even care about." comedians are allowed. Only actors can do those things.” During the promotion of this project she received her star on the Hollywood walk of fame.
In 2006, he got involved in two new jobs, the first of which was his reunion with Keanu Reeves in the romantic drama The Lake House, in which both play the tenants of the same house but at different times. The film was received moderately by critics, stating that the script is too complex. She later played the writer Harper Lee in the drama Infamous, which chronicles the process of creating the novel In Cold Blood written by Truman Capote. Journalist Peter Travers noted that "the real surprise of the film is the beautifully nuanced portrayal of Sandra Bullock". home who has a premonition in which her husband dies. The film was unanimously condemned by newspapers, criticizing its structure and plot twists.
During 2009, she led three productions, the first of which was the romantic comedy The Proposal alongside Ryan Reynolds, where she plays an executive who is going to be deported and tries to avoid it by forcing her assistant to marry her. The journalist Manohla Dargis opined that: "Bullock is outstanding despite the discomfort of her role." She was also nominated for the third time for the Golden Globes for best actress in a comedy or musical. million dollars globally. He then produced the comedy All About Steve alongside Bradley Cooper, playing the eccentric crossword puzzle creator for a local newspaper. Ty Burr of the Boston Globe, noted that: "it is the worst film of the week, of the month, of the year and of his entire career." He received the Razzie for worst actress and went to pick it up at the delivery ceremony, where he said: " see it, see it with your own eyes and say if I deserve this award. They will give me the reason and next year I will return it.
Lastly, in 2009, and after declining to intervene on several occasions, she agreed to star in the biopic The Blind Side as Leigh Anne Tuohy, an interior designer who adopted what would become a successful player American football star Michael Oher. Her performance was lauded by critics, Lisa Kennedy writing that "why Leigh Anne is so bold, we'll never know, but it's Bullock that's important here." She was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Leading Actress, and the Film Critics Award for Best Actress. After receiving the Academy Award, she stated that: " winning an Oscar has never entered my plans, I didn't aspire to this." The film broke a box office record by being the first film starring a woman to exceed two hundred million dollars in North America alone.
Already in 2010, she was named the woman of the year by People magazine and was named by Forbes publication as the highest paid actress with an estimated income of 56 million dollars.
2011-2015
In 2011 he worked under Stephen Daldry in the drama Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, film adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel of the same title, in which she plays the mother of a boy with Asperger syndrome who loses his father -played by Tom Hanks- in terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The film was received moderately by critics, although it ultimately earned a controversial Best Picture Oscar nomination. In the summer of 2013, the comedy The Heat was released. > alongside Melissa McCarthy, in which they both play two FBI agents who have to join forces to capture a dangerous drug dealer. The radio station NPR opined that: "the film arrives, conquers you, and they leave you laughing".
Also in 2013, he was alongside George Clooney in the thriller Gravity, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, in which they play two astronauts who get stuck in space after the spacecraft crashes. the one they were traveling in was destroyed. The tape received unanimous applause from critics, journalist Peter Travers opined that: “it is more than a movie, it is a kind of miracle. Bullock delivers a masterful performance." She was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and received her first mention at the BAFTAs. It's time not to choose garbage.".
According to the publication Forbes, she was the highest paid actress of that year with an estimated earnings of 38 million Euros. Also that year, she immortalized her hands and feet in Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
In 2015 he participated in two productions, the first to be released was the animated film Minions, in which he lent his voice to the antagonist character of Scarlet Overkill. The actress stated that she had accepted the job because she "wanted to be in a movie that my son could see". > with Billy Bob Thornton, inspired by the eponymous documentary about US strategies in the Bolivian presidential election in 2002. Critic Calvin Wilson wrote that: "Bullock makes the whole movie look better than it really is." After its premiere, it became one of the films with the least economic relevance in his professional career in the United States.
Also that same year she was considered the most beautiful woman by People magazine, something that the actress described as ridiculous when she was told the news.
2018-2022
After two years without participating in any project, in 2018 she starred with Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Rihanna in the comedy Ocean's 8, in which she plays a thief who plans to steal a valuable necklace during the celebration of the Met Gala in New York. The film was received positively by the film press, praising the chemistry between its protagonists. The film's collection reached 297 million dollars after its worldwide exhibition. On December 21, 2018, the thriller Bird Box with John Malkovich and Sarah Paulson on Netflix, in which she plays a single mother who has to flee blindfolded with her children downriver after an alien invasion. The actress's work received widespread praise, with Yolanda Machado of The Wrap newspaper describing the performance as "brilliant" while Scott Mendelson of Forbes magazine called it "stellar". The film broke the record for being the Netflix production with the most views during its first week, being seen by more than forty-five million accounts.
In 2021, she collaborated again with Netflix by producing and starring in the drama The Unforgivable, in which she played an ex-convict who has been in prison for twenty years for a terrible crime and tries to reintegrate herself into society as he searches for his little sister. The film was received lukewarm by the film press, however Bullock's performance was widely praised, critic Randy Myers writing "above all, 'Unforgivable' was praised." it reminds us of what a good actress Bullock is". According to the data provided by the platform, it was a success of views, accumulating 74.4 million hours during its first week on streaming, in addition to being among its most viewed original productions to date.
In 2022 she produced and starred in the adventure comedy The Lost City alongside Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe, in which she played a successful writer of romantic novels who is kidnapped by an eccentric millionaire, while the model on her book covers sets off on her quest intent on rescuing her. The film received critical acclaim for highlighting the chemistry between Bullock and Tatum, as well as grossing over $190 million at the box office. During the promotion of this feature film Bullock made public her intention to take a break from acting for an indefinite period of time to be able to dedicate herself to being a mother, she declared that "I will return, but I don't know when, probably when my children are teenagers ».
In the summer of that same year she appeared in a brief supporting role in the action film Bullet Train, directed by David Leitch, in which she plays the boss of a hit man played by Brad Pitt, who has to board a bullet train between Tokyo and Morioka with the intention of finding a mysterious briefcase while facing five other assassins. Newspapers reacted moderately to the proposal by stating that the story didn't make much sense; however, the weekend of its opening it was number one at the box office worldwide.
Personal life and public image
After the filming of Love Potion No. 9, she began dating her co-star, Tate Donovan, to whom she became engaged but broke up after three years. four years with Matthew McConaughey, whom she met while filming A Time to Kill. Four years after moving to Austin, Texas, she began dating country music singer Bob Schneider. She had a relationship of more than a year with Ryan Gosling after they met on the set of Murder by Numbers. Gosling, sixteen years younger, declared that: "I have had two of the best girlfriends in the world - in reference to Bullock and Rachel McAdams -. I haven't met anyone who can reach them yet.” Ella Since 2015, she has been in a romantic relationship with photographer and former model Bryan Randall.
She married businessman and television presenter Jesse G. James in July 2005. The wedding was held at a ranch owned by the interpreter in Santa Barbara, California. Ten days after winning the Oscar for Best Actress and after five years of marriage, her husband's repeated infidelities became public. She gave an exclusive interview to People magazine in which she made public that she had filed for divorce, in addition to announcing that she had adopted a black baby named Louis, whom she described as: "he is perfect. I can't describe him in any other way." The adoption procedures were initiated with her husband but after learning of the infidelities she continued with the process as a single mother. In December 2015 she confirmed that she had adopted an Afro-descendant girl, Laila, from three years old, from a state orphanage. She stated that "when I look at Laila, in my mind there is no doubt that she was meant to be here."
He has repeatedly donated over a million dollars to different organizations after natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the 2010 Haiti earthquake and after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, noting that: "we have to take care of each other". He also donated this sum after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
She was recognized at the 2013 People's Choice Awards for her humanitarian work after helping to rebuild Warren Easton Charter High School in New Orleans, which suffered an estimated $4 million in damage after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When collecting the award, she stated that: "I am not being modest when I say that I have done nothing compared to what they have done every day." In November 2018, she donated the amount of $100,000 to the Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) to help animals affected by the California wildfires.