Real Name : Amy Lou Adams
Birth : 20 August 1974, Aviano, Italy
Height : 5' 4"
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Amy Adams was born in Italy to American parents Kathryn and Richard Adams, while her father was a U.S. serviceman. She was raised in a Mormon family of seven children in Castle Rock, Colorado. Adams sang in the school choir at Douglas County High School and was an apprentice dancer at a local dance company, with the ambition of becoming a ballerina. However, she worked as a greeter at The Gap and as a Hooters hostess to support herself before finding work as a dancer at Boulder's Dinner Theatre and Country Dinner Playhouse in such productions as "Brigadoon" and "A Chorus Line." 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)_ (qv), which was filming nearby in Minnesota. During the filming, 'Kirstie Alley' (qv) encouraged her to move to Los Angeles, where she soon won a part in the Fox television version of the film _Cruel Intentions (1999)_ (qv) in the part played in the film by 'Sarah Michelle Gellar' (qv), Kathryn Merteuil. 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) (V)_ (qv). After more failed television spots, she landed a major role in _Catch Me If You Can (2002)_ (qv) playing opposite 'Leonardo DiCaprio' (qv). But this did not provide the break-through she might have hoped for, with no work being offered for about a year. She eventually returned to television, and joined the short-lived series 'Dr. Vegas'. Her role in the low-budget independent film _Junebug (2005)_ (qv) (which was shot in 21 days) got her real attention, including an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress as well as other awards. The following year, her ability to look like a wide-eyed Disney animated heroine helped her to be chosen from about 300 actresses auditioning for the role of Giselle in the animated/live-action feature film _Enchanted (2007)_ (qv) which would prove to be her major break-through role. Her vivacious yet innocent portrayal allowed her to use her singing and dancing talents. Her performance garnered a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Adams next appeared in the major production _Charlie Wilson's War (2007)_ (qv) and went on to act in the independent film _Sunshine Cleaning (2008)_ (qv) which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Her recent role as Sister James in _Doubt (2008/I)_ (qv) brought her a second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress as well as nominations for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild award, and a British Academy Film award. She appears as Amelia Earhart in _Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)_ (qv)and as a post-9/11 hot line counselor, aspiring writer, amateur cook and blogger in _Julie & Julia (2009)_ (qv). She is a very sought-after actress with a bright future.
Biography written by: Brian Greenhalgh
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- 'Catch Me If You Can': The Casting of the Film (2003) (V) [Herself]
- 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006) (TV) [Herself]
- 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) (TV) [Herself]
- 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV) [Herself]
- 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV) [Herself - Nominee: Best Supporting Actress]
- An Evening at the Academy Awards (2008) (TV) [Herself]
- Becoming Enchanted: A New Classic Comes True (2008) (V) [Herself]
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) [Brenda Strong] <6>
- Charlie Wilson's War (2007) [Bonnie Bach] <2>
- Cruel Intentions 2 (2000) (V) [Kathryn Merteuil] <4>
- Daughter of the Queen of Sheba (2010)
- Doubt (2008/I) [Sister James] <3>
- Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) [Leslie Miller] <9>
- Enchanted (2007) [Giselle] <1>
- Enchanted 2 (2012) (rumored) [Giselle]
- Enchanted: CiTV Movie Special (2007) (TV) [Herself]
- Fast Track (2006) [Abby March] <23>
- Film Independent's 2007 Spirit Awards (2007) (TV) [Herself]
- Julie & Julia (2009) [Julie Powell] <2>
- Junebug (2005) [Ashley Johnsten] <12>
- Leap Year (2010) [Anna Brady] <1>
- Live from the Red Carpet: The 2008 Academy Awards (2008) (TV) [Herself]
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) [Delysia Lafosse] <1>
- Moonlight Serenade (2009) [Chloe] <1>
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) [Amelia Earhart] <2>
- Oscar's Red Carpet 2008 with Regis Philbin (2008) (TV) [Herself]
- Pennies (2006) [Charlotte Brown] <1>
- Psycho Beach Party (2000) [Marvel Ann] <11>
- Pumpkin (2002) [Alex] <19>
- Serving Sara (2002) [Kate] <6>
- Standing Still (2005/II) [Elise] <2>
- Star Movies: Live from the Red Carpet (2009) (TV) [Herself]
- Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party (2005) [Herself] <5>
- Sunshine Cleaning (2008) [Rose Lorkowski] <1>
- Sunshine Cleaning: A Fresh Look at a Dirty Business (2009) (V) [Herself]
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) [Susan] <20>
- Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) [Gorgeous Woman] <23>
- The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2006) (TV) [Winner]
- The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2009) (TV) [Herself - Presenter]
- The 15th Annual Gotham Awards (2005) (TV) [Herself - Recipient]
- The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV) [Herself]
- The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2010) (TV) [Herself]
- The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006) (TV) [Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role]
- The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) (TV) [Herself - Presenter/Performer]
- The Chromium Hook (2000) (as Amy Lou Adams) [Jill Royaltuber]
- The Fighter (2010) [Charlene]
- The Last Run (2004) [Alexis] <2>
- The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2009) (TV) [Herself - Presenter]
- The Peter Principle (2000) (TV) [Susan]
- The Sisters of Charity (2009) (V) [Herself]
- The Slaughter Rule (2002) [Doreen] <7>
- The Ten Best Days of My Life (2011)
- The Undomestic Goddess (2011) [Samantha Sweeting]
- The Wedding Date (2005) [Amy] <3>
- Town House (2011) (rumored)
- Underdog (2007) (voice) [Polly] <8>
- "Access Hollywood" (1996) {(2007-11-23)} [Herself]
- "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) {Idol Gives Back (#7.29)} [Herself]
- "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) {Family (#5.6)} [Cousin Beth] <12>
- "Charmed" (1998) {Murphy's Luck (#2.16)} [Maggie Murphy] <8>
- "Cinema 3" (1984) {(2009-01-31)} [Herself]
- "De par en par" (2007) {(#2.2)} (archive footage) [Herself]
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004) {Advantage Play (#1.2)} [Alice Doherty] <5>
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004) {All In (#1.4)} [Alice Doherty] <5>
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004) {Dead Man, Live Bet (#1.3)} [Alice Doherty] <5>
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004) {Limits (#1.5)} [Alice Doherty] <5>
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004) {Pilot (#1.1)} [Alice Doherty] <5>
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2007-09-20)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2008-01-07)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2008-03-07)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2009-01-07)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2009-02-03)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2009-02-23)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2009-07-15)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2009-12-07)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2010-01-07)} [Herself]
- "HBO First Look" (1992) {Catch Me If You Can (#9.22)} [Herself]
- "King of the Hill" (1997) {Cheer Factor (#8.13)} (voice) [Merilynn/Sunshine]
- "King of the Hill" (1997) {My Hair Lady (#8.11)} (voice) [Misty]
- "King of the Hill" (1997) {Talking Shop (#8.22)} (voice)
- "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) {(1999-07-23)} [Herself]
- "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) {(2006-02-07)} [Herself]
- "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) {Amy Adams/Eddie Izzard/John Legend (#16.59)} [Herself]
- "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (2009) {(#1.176)} [Herself] <2>
- "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) {(#15.76)} [Herself - Guest] <2>
- "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) {(#16.185)} [Herself - Guest] <2>
- "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) {(#16.55)} [Herself - Guest] <2>
- "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) {(#17.67)} [Herself - Guest] <2>
- "Le grand journal de Canal+" (2004) {(2009-02-05)} [Herself]
- "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (1989) {(2008-03-04)} [Herself]
- "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (1989) {(2008-12-10)} [Herself] <3>
- "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (1989) {(2009-07-30)} [Herself]
- "Made in Hollywood" (2005) {(#5.13)} [Herself]
- "Providence" (1999) {The Good Doctor (#3.3)} [Rebecca 'Becka' Taylor] <8>
- "Rachael Ray" (2006) {Behind the Scenes of 'Us Weekly' (#2.53)} [Herself]
- "Saturday Night Live" (1975) {Amy Adams/Vampire Weekend (#33.7)} [Herself - Host/Various] <13>
- "Smallville" (2001) {Craving (#1.7)} [Jodi Melville] <9>
- "Storymakers" (2009) {(#1.1)} [Herself]
- "Sunday Morning Shootout" (2003) {(#3.20)} [Herself]
- "That '70s Show" (1998) {Burning Down the House (#2.15)} [Kat Peterson] <12>
- "The Charlie Rose Show" (1991) {(2008-12-12)} [Herself]
- "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (2005) {(#2.93)} [Herself]
- "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (2005) {(#5.115)} [Herself]
- "The Office" (2005) {Booze Cruise (#2.11)} [Katy] <7>
- "The Office" (2005) {Hot Girl (#1.6)} [Katy] <6>
- "The Office" (2005) {The Fire (#2.4)} [Katy] <7>
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) {(#17.28)} [Herself]
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) {(2007-05-10)} [Herself]
- "The View" (1997) {(2008-12-12)} [Herself] <7>
- "The West Wing" (1999) {20 Hours in America (#4.1)} [Cathy] <11>
- "Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane" (1999) {Tall, Dark and Duncan's Boss (#2.9)} [Dinah]
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- "The Independent Arts & Books" (UK), 12 February 2010, Iss. 7281, pg. 12 - 13, by: Rosamund Witcher, "No longer Miss Innocent"
- "The Independent Arts & Books" (UK), 30 January 2009, Iss. 6957, pg. 12 - 13, by: Lesley O'Toole, "Not so innocent abroad"
- "Telegraph Magazine" (UK), 17 November 2007, pg. 56-57+59+61, by: Naomi West, "Happily ever after"
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- "Parade" (USA), 3 May 2009, pg. 12-13, by: Liz Smith, "'Everything Happens for a Reason'"
- "The Washington Post" (USA), March 2009, Vol. 132, Iss. 105, pg. 28+30 in Weekend section, by: Ellen McCarthy, "Amy Adams, Then and Now"
- "The Washington Post" (USA), 12 December 2008, Vol. 132, Iss. 7, pg. C1-C2, by: J. Freedom du Lac, "'The Real Thing': Amy Adams Enchants, Impresses in Nun's Role"
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- "Celebrity Sleuth" (USA), 2007, Iss. 49, pg. 52-55, by: staff, "Anatomy Awards 11: Junebug"
- "New York Times Magazine" (USA), 13 November 2005, pg. 103-111, by: Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello, "Heroine Chic"
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- "Allure" (USA), August 2009
- "Parade" (USA), 3 May 2009
- "W" (USA), May 2009
- "Vanity Fair" (USA), March 2008, Iss. 571
- "Telegraph Magazine" (UK), 17 November 2007
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- Modeled for the front and back cover of the book "Going Hollywood: How to get started, keep going, and not turn into a sleaze," by Kristin M. Burke (Published July 27, 2004)
- Stage Production: "Brigadoon" Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Minnesota
- Stage Production: "Good News" Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Minnesota
- 1997 Stage Production: "State Fair" at Chanhassen
- 1994 Stage Production: "A Chorus Line" at Boulder
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- Long strawberry blonde hair.
- Often plays optimistic characters with cheerful dispositions.
- Often plays innocent or very naïve characters.
- Her wide-eyed expressions.
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- I have worked with some of the meanest people in the world. You can't do anything to intimidate me.
- I think that I've always been attracted to characters who are positive and come from a very innocent place. I think there's a lot of room for discovery in these characters and that's something I always have fun playing.
- It's nerve-wracking! I'll be up there, singing the song in front of billions of people - oh, and 'Daniel Day-Lewis' (qv)! And 'Cate Blanchett' (qv). I'll be going to Taco Bell when the ceremony is over. Mexican food cures me (On singing at the Oscars).
- Not at this point. Right now I'm just doing what I enjoy and I've done some different films, I've done some different types of roles. (On being stereotyped as the 'naive' one.)
- 'Whitney Houston' (qv) came in. Someone dared me to do "the Gap act" on her. You know, the Gap act. So I went up to her like I didn't know who she was, and I said, 'Hi, I just wanted to let you know about our sale items and make sure to check out our new colors'. She looked at me like I was crazy (On working at The Gap).
- Thirty was a big deal for me. It was the age where I reevaluated everything - how I approached life and how I thought about myself. When I look at my 20s, or when I look at any period in my life, I think about how much time I've wasted trying to find the right man. It's like, if I could go back and do it again, I would have taken guitar lessons or something. I would have put my energy into something that paid off in the end, instead of trying to improve myself for men. Oh, the time and the energy, trying to impress somebody who was actually a big jerk, you know? But the truth is, once you have a great man in your life, it allows you - or at least for me - to look at yourself and grow as an individual. And gosh, if I had known I was going to find this, my 20s would have been completely different.
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- Worked in a Hooters Restaurant until soon after she turned 18, when they started making her wear the customary outfits.
- Alumna of the Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Minnesota. Appeared there in many productions including "Brigadoon" and "Good News".
- One of seven children.
- Natural hair color is Strawberry Blonde.
- She was born in Italy and raised in Castle Rock, Colorado.
- Her father was in the military and was also an amateur actor.
- Born at the U.S. military base located in Aviano, Italy but spent part of her childhood in the US military base located in Vicenza, Italy.
- Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2006.
- Attended, and graduated from, Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado.
- Sang in the school choir at Douglas County High School.
- Is a trained dancer.
- Her brother, 'Eddie Adams (III)' (qv), works for the tabloid show TMZ.
- Once worked at The Gap, a clothing store chain.
- Met her boyfriend, 'Darren Le Gallo' (qv), in 2001 in an acting class.
- Has made two movies back-to-back starring 'Meryl Streep' (qv): _Doubt (2008/I)_ (qv) and _Julie & Julia (2009)_ (qv). In the latter she has no scenes with Streep.
- One of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the world (2008).
- Engaged to 'Darren Le Gallo' (qv) (July 24, 2008).
- During a red carpet interview at the 81st Academy Awards, she claimed to suffer from extreme stage fright and claustrophobia.
- Most unusual thing she has eaten is olive oil ice cream in New York City.
- Has a lot of hot sauce in her kitchen. Loves raw onions, garlic and garlic press.
- Announced on December 4th 2009 that she and her fiancé, 'Darren Le Gallo' (qv), are expecting their first child in 2010.
- Enjoys singing karaoke.
- Gave birth to her daughter Aviana Olea Le Gallo, with fiancé 'Darren Le Gallo' (qv), weighing in at 7lbs, in Los Angeles (15 May 2010).
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