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Amy Lou Adams was born in Italy to American parents, while her father was a U.S. serviceman. She began her performing career on stage in dinner theaters before making her screen debut in the comedy film Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). After a series of television appearances and roles in B films, she landed a role in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002). However, her breakthrough role was in the 2005 independent film, Junebug, for which she received critical acclaim including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. After Junebug's success, she starred in Disney's Enchanted (2007). She received more acclaim including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. The next year, she received her second Oscar nomination and another Golden Globe nomination for her role in Doubt (2008). Her most recent role as Charlene Fleming in The Fighter (2010), gave her a third Academy Award nomination, third Golden Globe nomination, second BAFTA nomination, and fourth SAG award nomination.
Adams sang in the school choir at Douglas County High School (Castle Rock, CO) and was an apprentice dancer at a local dance company, with the ambition of becoming a ballerina. She then decided she was not gifted enough to be a professional ballerina and entered into musical theater, which she found to be much more suiting to her personality. She supported herself as a greeter at Gap and also as a Hooters hostess. Adams left Hooters three weeks later after she admitted..."there was definitely an innocence to my interpretation of what Hooters was about. Though I did learn, quickly, that short shorts and beer don't mix!" She then found work as a dancer at Boulder's Dinner Theatre and Country Dinner Playhouse. It was there that she was spotted by a Minneapolis dinner-theater director who asked her to move to Chanhassen, Minnesota for more regional dinner theater work.
Nursing a pulled muscle that kept her from dancing, she was free to audition for a part in Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). During the filming, Kirstie Alley encouraged her to move to Los Angeles. After a hard first year in L.A., she auditioned for a role in the television series, Cruel Intentions, based off of the film. Although three episodes were filmed, the troubled series never aired. Instead, parts of the episodes were cobbled together and released as the direct-to-video Cruel Intentions 2 (2000). After more television series roles, she landed a major role in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002), playing opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. But this did not provide the break-through she might have hoped for, with no work being offered for about a year. Spielberg even stated that "it was the part that should have launched her career." Adam's did say the film was a huge "confidence booster." She eventually returned to television, and joined the short-lived series 'Dr. Vegas'.
Amy's role in the low-budget independent film Junebug (2005) was a breakout role for her. Junebug premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival with Adams winning the Special Jury Prize for her performance. After being released in theaters, Adams earned critical accolades for her performance. She received several award nominations from the National Society of Film Critics, Independent Spirit Awards, Screen Actors Guild, and the Academy Awards. Later, in 2006, Adams was invited to become a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
After Junebug's success, she was able to land roles in The Wedding Date (2005), Standing Still (2006), Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2007), and a recurring role in The Office.
In 2007, Adams starred in Disney's big-budget animated/live-action film, Enchanted (2007), as princess Giselle. Enchanted was a commercial success, grossing more than $340 million worldwide. Her performance was well received by critics with her receiving nominations from The Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, and the Saturn Awards for Best Actress. The success of Enchanted increased Adams' media exposure naming her as one of the "10 Fresh Faces of 2008." Later in 2007, she appeared in Charlie Wilson's War (2007), alongside Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Her next project was the independent film Sunshine Cleaning (2008). Sunshine Cleaning premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival as one of the most anticipated titles but received average ratings. Later that year she appeared in the 1939-set film Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008). In late 2008, Adams starred in Doubt (2008) alongside Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. For her role as Sister James, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 81st Academy Awards, the 66th Golden Globe Awards, the 15th SAG Awards, and the 62nd British Academy Film Awards.
Her films of 2009 include Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), and Julie & Julia (2009).
Adams began 2010 starring the fresh romantic comedy Leap Year (2010). The film received decent reviews. Adams also landed the coveted role as Charlene Fleming in the boxing biopic, The Fighter. The Fighter has received raves of critical acclaim including nominations from the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Adams also received her third Oscar nomination for her performance in The Fighter. This year she has also received nominations from The Golden Globes, Broadcast Film Critics Association, The British Academy of Film, The Screen Actors Guild, and The Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress.
Adams is engaged to her boyfriend, actor and artist Darren Le Gallo. They have a baby girl named Aviana Olea Le Gallo (May, 15, 2010).
Amy Adams is currently set to appear in the film On the Road (2011), alongside Viggo Mortensen, Disney's The Muppets (2011), and she recently won the role of Lois Lane in the upcoming Superman movie, Superman: Man of Steel (2012). | VITAL STATS | Eye color:
| Baby Blue
| Height:
| 5'4"
| | Nickname(s): | Fish-Belly Blue, Tinker, The Emasculator, Stinker | | Notable feature(s): | Natural hair color is Strawberry Blonde but she has kept it red since Junebug. | | Education: | Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado
| Family:
| Father: Richard Adams
Mother: Kathryn Hicken
Four Brothers and two Sisters
Boyfriend/fiancé: Darren Le Gallo
Daughter: Aviana Olea born May 15, 2010 | | Resides in: |
| Religious affiliations:
| Mormon
| | Political affiliation: |
| | Personal interests/hobbies: |
| | Charities/Causes: | The Ghetto Film School | | Other: | Her father was in the military and was also an amateur actor.
Her brother, Eddie Adams works for the tabloid show TMZ.
Worked at Hooters for 3 weeks as a hostess.
Worked as a greeter at GAP.
Starred in a short film called Pennies (2006) written by her brother.
Wanted to be a singing nurse when she was a kid.
Loved history while in school.
Absolutely LOVES Mexican food!
Really wants to work with director Alexander Payne.
Used to date a lawyer but he did not really appreciate Amy’s job.
She admires Julie Andrews.
She AdoresScarlett O’Hara.
Does not mind being confused as Isla Fisher because ‘she’s beautiful’.
Her favorite movies include The Shawshank Redemption, Gone with the Wind, O Brother Where Art Thou, and Election.
Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2006.
Has two small dogs: Pippy and Sadie
Is afraid of flying.
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