Anna Paquin, who rose to prominence thanks to “The Piano,” is the second youngest winner of an Oscar – she was 11 when “The Piano” was both released and when she claimed her Best Supporting Actress statuette for it. It was also her screen debut. Later, she would be known to mainstream audiences as Rogue in “X-Men” and its sequels, as well as pictures like “Almost Famous,” “25th Hour” and “The Squid and the Whale.” She’s withstood the pressure of what comes with being a child actress, and has proven she is no fluke.
Born in Canada, Anna and her family moved to New Zealand while still a toddler. It was in Wellington where she went to school, and was also where “The Piano” was filmed. The critical acclaim brought her to Hollywood in 1994 for the Academy Awards, and following her parent’s divorce, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles. Acting was never something Anna actively pursued – her role for “The Piano” was an open audition, and after three years, Anna returned to screen in “Jane Eyre” and “Fly Away Home.” By the time she graduated high school, she was a participant in more than half a dozen films, including “Amistad” for Steven Spielberg in 1997. She was also excellent in “Finding Forrester.”
Anna studied at Columbia University in New York for a year, but was forced to leave due to growing acting commitments, particularly the “X-Men” trilogy which completed its run in 2006. In 2001, Anna gained New Zealand citizenship. And for her performance in the 2007 HBO mini-series “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” Anna received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, her second such honor after “The Piano” 14 years before. She has been linked with Joaquin Phoenix and Kieran Culkin, but her great love seems to be her own independence – and her determination to blaze her own path.
In 2010, Anna Paquin announced that she was bisexual in a video ad supporting gay rights.
Iconic Character – Sookie Stackhouse on “True Blood”
Anna is having a fantastic career as she shows off her many talents and continues to look beautiful. But for many fans, her role as Sookie on “True Blood” will always be a favorite. We highlihgted this character in our “TV Girlfriends” feature in the “Girls Next Door” catagory. Here’s what we said about the character:
“Ms. Stackhouse has a lot of fine qualities. For a start, she’s smart, she’s loyal, and she’s cute as hell. But there’s one other thing that makes her special: she can read minds. Now, clearly, if you’re the type of guy who has impure thoughts about other women, then Sookie might not be the girl for you. But if you truly love her and you don’t ever think about stepping out on your woman, Sookie’s abilities could be quite profitable. Imagine having her on your side at a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament…or when you go to buy a new car. In fact, she’d be the trump card in just about any negotiation. You’d have some convincing to do, though, as Sookie doesn’t like to use her ability to take advantage of others, but she will use her powers for good. Unfortunately, Sookie has a thing for vampires, so unless you’re one of the walking undead, it’s going to be tough to convince her that you’re her soul mate. Actually, considering that everyone around her seems to end up dead, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing….”
Anna Paquin on the Web
Anna Paquin Instagram
Recent photos posted by Anna.
Guardian Unlimited Interview
In-depth article and interview with Anna at the time of “X-Men” in 2000.
BBC Films Interview
Anna on portraying teenage angst and “X2.”
Celebrity Teaser – Anna Paquin
News, pics, videos and more from this celebrity blog.
Anna on the Screen
She’s Holly Hunter’s daughter Flora in “The Piano” in 1993, young Jane Eyre in “Jane Eyre,” and Amy in “Fly Away Home” in 1996. Spielberg cast her as Queen Isabella II in “Amistad,” and Anna follows that with “Hurlyburly” and “She’s All That” in 1999. 2000 saw Anna as Rogue in the blockbuster “X-Men,” the Sean Connery vehicle “Finding Forrester,” and as Polexia Aphrodisia in “Almost Famous.” She’s Philip Seymour Hoffman’s student in “25th Hour,” and reprising the role of Rogue in “X2” in 2003, and again in “X-Men: The Last Stand” three years later. Since then, Anna’s appeared in indie films like “Blue State,” “Mosaic,” and the HBO miniseries “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.”
Anna Says
On identifying with characters:
“None of the characters I’ve played are really like me. That would be boring. It wouldn’t be acting.”
On political affiliations:
“I’m not very political. I’m also not American and I don’t get to vote so my feelings are not really relevant.”
More of Anna Paquin in “True Blood”
