Leelee Sobieski mini-bio: Born Liliane Rudabet Gloria Elsveta Sobieski.To Mother Elizabeth Salomon, an American novelist/screenwriter who has also long served as Leelee's manager. And to Father Jean Sobieski, a French painter and former actor himself. Leelee's Father once dated actress Jean Seberg, and lived with French singer Dalida in the 1960's. Considering that Leelee was born to such artistic parents, her path to fame began in a very unassuming way. Leelee, by sheer chance caught the attention of a casting agent who noticed her while scouting a school cafeteria in New York City. The agent asked her to audition for a role in the film Interview With The Vampire (1994). She ended up losing the role to Kirsten Dunst. Later admitting that she was no match for Dunst back then, because she was just learning to act at that time. However Leelee was destined to become one of the most critically acclaimed teen actresses in Hollywood history.
From 11 to 13 years old, Leelee landed a number of TV appearances. She co-starred in the TV movie Reunion in 1994 with Marlo Thomas, and starred in A Horse for Danny (1995) (TV). She also made a number of appearances on regular TV programs, such as the hit show 'Grace Under Fire', 1 episode in 1996. At 13 years old Leelee got her first solid break. She was cast to make her big screen debut in 1997's Jungle2Jungle along side comedic star Tim Allen. At 14 years old, Leelee struck double gold. She starred opposite Elijah Wood in the huge summer blockbuster hit Deep Impact(1998), and was cast to appear in an upcoming film by legendary director Stanley Kubrick. Deep Impact garnered Leelee some positive reviews from film critics, and helped to give her career some mass exposure.
With the success of Deep Impact, and word that she had been cast by the widely respected Kubrick. Leelee quickly became a name to consider by every casting agent in Hollywood. Her foundation for stardom was set. Next Leelee solidified her name as one of the most promising young actresses in the world. She starred with Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Hershey in A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998). It was a smaller independant film, but nonetheless met with decent success, and it turned out to be just the thing Leelee needed. Her performance garnered high praise from the critics, and also garnered her a Young Stars nomination, as well as a nomination by the Chicago Film Critics Association. Leelee was now already a well established young actress.
Next up the 15 year old phenomenon starred beside Drew Barrymore in the comedy Never Been Kissed (1999). Followed by Joan of Arc (1999) (TV), in which she played the title role. The film was shot in the Czech Republic when Sobieski was only 15, and she proclaimed that she was probably the only real virgin to ever play the Patron Saint on film. Leelee is also the youngest actress to ever play the part of Joan of Arc. This TV version of Joan's story was widely respected, and garnered a total of 19 award nominations, including 6 wins throughout the film world. This time Leelee won a Young Stars award, and also recieved a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for her performance.
Finally in 1999, Kubrick released his much anticipated film, Eyes Wide Shut. The film, shot under strict secrecy by the notorious perfectionist Stanley Kubrick. Leelee was cast as a Lolita like teenage nymphet who tempts the lead character played by Tom Cruise. This led some media and film fans to tag Leelee as 'Kubrick's Last Lolita'. Leelee's scenes were shot when she was only 14 years old, and the film was met with some opposition for its dark sexual subject matter. Nonetheless, many critics and film fans considered Eyes Wide Shut to be yet another masterpiece shot by one of the most innovative filmmakers who ever lived. Kubrick, often reguarded as a hard director to work for. One who pushes his actors to their very limits, did not seem hard to work with to Leelee at all. When asked about working with Stanley, Leelee replied, "Everyone seems to think he is a monster, but really he is the coolest guy." While shooting the film Leelee hung out at Stanley's family home, and developed a friendship with Stanley and the Kubrick family. Leelee was heartbroken when Stanley died in 1999, soon after the completion of Eyes Wide Shut.
Leelee went on to star with many other big Hollywood names. The teen star was earning a 1 million dollar per picture salary at just 17 years old. She starred along side Josh Hartnett & Chris Klein in Here on Earth (2000), then starred in the hit with Diane Lane, The Glass House (2001). Leelee had a number of hits from 2001, including the popular thriller Joyride. She garnered her second Golden Globe nomination for Uprising (2001) (TV). And was again widely praised by critics for her performance in My First Mister (2001).
In 2002 Leelee tried her hand at something different, showing off her bravery and diverse talent. Taking a French speaking role in the French art film, L'idole. Leelee also starred with John Cusak in the very underrated Max (2002). Leelee took a break from her acting career soon after, chosing to temporarly consentrate on her education at Brown University.
Since her return to acting, Leelee has landed roles next to Hollywood icons such as Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino, and Johnny Depp. The Sobieski family are direct descendants of Polish royalty, making Leelee a Great Grandchild to Polish King John III Sobieski. All indications are that Leelee herself seems destined to long reign as a princess in the Hollywood film industry.
