Jennifer Jason Leigh

Born:February 5, 1962

Place of Birth:Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Jennifer Jason Leigh, born Jennifer Leigh Morrow on February 5, 1962, is a versatile American actress known for her captivating performances on both television and film. With a career spanning several decades, Leigh first caught the attention of audiences with her breakout role in the iconic teen film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" in 1982. From there, she continued to impress critics and viewers alike with her roles in a variety of films, showcasing her range and talent.

One of Leigh's notable performances was in the gritty drama "Last Exit to Brooklyn" in 1989, where she demonstrated her ability to delve deep into complex and challenging characters. She further solidified her reputation as a skilled actress with roles in films such as "Miami Blues" (1990), "Single White Female" (1992), and "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994), earning critical acclaim along the way.

In addition to her work in film, Leigh has also made significant contributions to the world of television. She had a recurring role on the popular Showtime series "Weeds" from 2009 to 2012, showcasing her versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. More recently, she starred in the Netflix series "Atypical" from 2017 to 2021, further establishing herself as a talented and sought-after actress in the industry.

Leigh's talent extends beyond acting, as she co-wrote and co-directed the film "The Anniversary Party" in 2001, showcasing her skills behind the camera as well. Her dedication to her craft and willingness to explore different aspects of filmmaking highlight her commitment to storytelling and creativity.

One of Leigh's most acclaimed performances came in 2015 when she portrayed the enigmatic fugitive Daisy Domergue in Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight," earning her nominations for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her ability to fully embody complex and intriguing characters has solidified her status as a respected and admired actress in the industry.

In addition to her work on screen, Leigh has also made a mark in the world of theater, receiving a Drama Desk award nomination for her off-Broadway performance in Mike Leigh's "Abigail's Party." Her Broadway debut in 1998 further showcased her talent and versatility as she took on the role of Sally Bowles in the musical "Cabaret," demonstrating her range as a performer.

With a career marked by diverse and compelling performances, Jennifer Jason Leigh continues to captivate audiences with her talent, dedication, and ability to bring characters to life with depth and authenticity. Her contributions to film, television, and theater have solidified her as a true powerhouse in the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Annihilation

Dr Ventress

2018

A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.

The Hateful Eight

Daisy Domergue

2015

Bounty hunters seek shelter from a raging blizzard and get caught up in a plot of betrayal and deception.

The Machinist

Stevie

2004

Trevor, an insomniac lathe operator, experiences unusual occurrences at work and home. A strange man follows him everywhere, but no one else seems to notice him.

Possessor

Girder

2020

Tasya Vos, an elite corporate assassin, uses brain-implant technology to take control of other people’s bodies to terminate high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment, Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her.

Backdraft

Jennifer Vaitkus

1991

Firemen brothers Brian and Stephen McCaffrey battle each other over past slights while trying to stop an arsonist with a diabolical agenda from torching Chicago.

Synecdoche, New York

Maria

2008

A theater director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play.

The Spectacular Now

Sara Keely

2013

Sutter, a popular party animal, unexpectedly meets the introverted Aimee after waking up on a stranger's lawn. As Sutter deals with the problems in his life and Aimee plans for her future beyond school, an unexpected romance blossoms between them.

Good Time

Corey Ellman

2017

After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City's underworld to get his brother Nick out of jail.

Awake

Dr. Murphy

2021

After a sudden global event wipes out all electronics and takes away humankind’s ability to sleep, chaos quickly begins to consume the world. Only Jill, an ex-soldier with a troubled past, may hold the key to a cure in the form of her own daughter. The question is, can Jill safely deliver her daughter and save the world before she herself loses her mind.

Road to Perdition

Annie Sullivan

2002

Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure, however after his son is witness to a killing, Mike Sullivan finds himself on the run in attempt to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him.

The Jacket

Dr. Beth Lorenson

2005

A military veteran goes on a journey into the future, where he can foresee his death and is left with questions that could save his life and those he loves.

White Boy Rick

Alex Snyder

2018

The story of Richard Wershe Jr., a teenager who became an undercover informant for the police during the 1980s, and was ultimately arrested for drug trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.

eXistenZ

Allegra Geller

1999

A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.

Rush

Kristen Cates

1991

Undercover cop Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) is a seasoned veteran. His partner, Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh), is lacking in experience, but he thinks she's tough enough to work his next case with him: a deep cover assignment to bring down the notoriously hard-to-capture drug lord Gaines (Gregg Allman). While their relationship turns romantic during the assignment, they also turn into junkies, and will have to battle their own addictions if they want to bring down Gaines once and for all.

The Woman in the Window

Jane Russell 2

2021

An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors only to witness a disturbing act of violence.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Stacy Hamilton

1982

Based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe, Fast Times follows a group of high school students growing up in Southern California. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. At the center of the film is Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer who faces-off with the resolute Mr. Hand—a man convinced that everyone is on dope.

The Hitcher

Nash

1986

On a stormy night, young Jim, who transports a luxury car from Chicago to California to deliver it to its owner, feeling tired and sleepy, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, who has appeared out of nowhere, thinking that a good conversation will help him not to fall asleep. He will have enough time to deeply regret such an unmeditated decision.

Anomalisa

Lisa Hesselman (voice)

2015

An inspirational speaker becomes reinvigorated after meeting a lively woman who shakes up his mundane existence.

Hey Arnold! The Movie

Bridget (voice)

2002

Arnold and his friends must recover a stolen document in order to prevent the neighborhood from being bulldozed.

Dolores Claiborne

Selena St. George

1995

Dolores Claiborne was accused of killing her abusive husband twenty years ago, but the court's findings were inconclusive and she was allowed to walk free. Now she has been accused of killing her employer, Vera Donovan, and this time there is a witness who can place her at the scene of the crime. Things look bad for Dolores when her daughter Selena, a successful Manhattan magazine writer, returns to cover the story.

The Hudsucker Proxy

Amy Archer

1994

A naive business graduate is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam.

The Man Who Wasn't There

Female Inmate (voice) (uncredited)

2001

A tale of murder, crime and punishment set in the summer of 1949. Ed Crane, a barber in a small California town, is dissatisfied with his life, but his wife Doris' infidelity and a mysterious opportunity presents him with a chance to change it.

Single White Female

Hedra 'Hedy' Carlson

1992

Attractive Manhattanite Allison Jones has it all: a handsome beau, a rent-controlled apartment, and a promising career as a fashion designer. When boyfriend Sam proves unfaithful, Allison strikes out on her own but must use the classifieds to seek out a roommate in order to keep her spacious digs.

Morgan

Dr. Kathy Grieff

2016

A corporate risk-management consultant must determine whether or not to terminate an artificial being's life that was made in a laboratory environment.

Poolman

Susan Kerkovish

2024

Darren Barrenman, an unwavering optimist and native Angeleno, spends his days looking after the pool of the Tahitian Tiki apartment block and fighting to make his hometown a better place to live.

Amityville: The Awakening

Joan Walker

2017

Belle, her little sister, and her comatose twin brother move into a new house with their single mother in order to save money to help pay for her brother's expensive healthcare. But when strange phenomena begin to occur including the miraculous recovery of her brother, Belle begins to suspect her mother isn't telling her everything and soon learns they moved into the infamous Amityville house.

Short Cuts

Lois Kaiser

1993

Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a coma. While at the hospital, the boy's grandfather tells his son, Howard, about his past affairs. Meanwhile, a baker starts harassing the family when they fail to pick up the boy's birthday cake.

In the Cut

Pauline

2003

Following the gruesome murder of a young woman in her neighborhood, an English teacher living in New York City — as if to test the limits of her own safety —propels herself into an impossibly risky sexual liaison with a police detective.

Flesh + Blood

Agnes

1985

A band of medieval mercenaries take revenge on a noble lord who decides not to pay them by kidnapping the betrothed of the noble's son. As the plague and warfare cut a swathe of destruction throughout the land, the mercenaries hole up in a castle and await their fate.

LBJ

Lady Bird Johnson

2017

The story of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson from his young days in West Texas to the White House.

QT8: The First Eight

Self

2019

A detailed account of the life and artistic career of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, from his early days as a video club manager to the scandalous fall in disgrace of producer Harvey Weinstein. A story about how to shoot eight great movies and become an icon of modern pop culture.

Easy Money

Allison Capuletti

1983

To inherit his mother-in-law's colossal fortune, a hard living gambling addict must change his unhealthy ways before it gets the best of him.

The Big Picture

Lydia Johnson

1989

Hollywood beckons for recent film school grad Nick Chapman, who is out to capitalize on the momentum from his national award-winning student film. Studio executive Allen Habel seduces Nick with a dream deal to make his first feature, but once production gets rolling, corporate reality begins to intervene: Nick is unable to control a series of compromises to his high-minded vision, and it's all he can do to maintain his integrity in the midst of filmmaking chaos.

Welcome to Me

Deb Moseley

2014

A year in the life of Alice Klieg, a woman with Borderline personality disorder who wins the Mega Millions lottery, quits her meds and buys her own talk show.

Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle

Dorothy Parker

1994

Dorothy Parker remembers the heyday of the Algonquin Round Table, a circle of friends whose barbed wit, like hers, was fueled by alcohol and flirted with despair.

Kansas City

Blondie O'Hara

1996

A pair of kidnappings expose the complex power dynamics within the corrupt and unpredictable workings of 1930s Kansas City.