Biography:
One of Hollywood` s more well-established and often underrated actresses, Dianne Wiest possesses a versatility that has allowed her to go from playing hookers to flamboyant stage actresses to seom of the most memorable matriarchs this side of
Barbara Billingsley.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Wiest decided to forgo a ballet career in favor of the theatre while attending the University of Maryland. She made her off-Broadway debut in 1876`s Ashes; three years later she won the coveted Obie and Theatre World awards for her work in The Art of Dining. She made her first film, It`s My Turn, in 1980, then returned to the stage, appearing with Joseph Papps`s New York Shakespeare Festival and on Broadway in 1982`s Frankenstein. In th mid 1980`s, Wiest returned to Films, where (except the occasionally foray into live performing) she has remained ever since.
Often as not, Wiest has been cast in maternal roles, most memorably in Footloose (1984), The Lost Boys (1987), Parenthood (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and The Birdcage (1996). Some of her best screen work can be found in her neurotic, self-involved characterizations for director Woody Allen. Beginning with a cameo as a hooker in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), she has been generously featured in five Allen films, winning Academy Awards for her dazzling performances as unlucky-in-love Holly in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and hyperbolic stage actress Helen Sinclair in Bullets Over Broadway (1994).
Wiest could be seen playing another motherly figure in Robert Redford's 1998 adaptation of The Horse Whisperer; that same year, she appeared as one of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's otherworldly aunts (along with Stockard Channing) in Practical Magic. In 1999, she could be seen in the made-for-TV The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn, starring alongside Sidney Poitier. |
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| Non - acting careers: | Big break:
- Hannah and her Sisters
- It`s My Turn
| Defining characters:
| Best movies:
- Parenthood 1989 as Helen
- Cookie 1989 as Lenore
- Little Man Tate 1991 as Dr Jane Grierson
- Edward Scissorshands 1990 as Peg Boggs
- The Return of Jezebel James 2008 as Talia Thomkins
- Passengers 2008 as Toni
- Dedication 2007 as Carol
- A guide to Recognizing Your.. (2006) as Flaurie
- Robots 2005 as Mrs. Copperbottom
- Merci Docteur Rey 2004 as Elisabeth Beaumont
- Not Afaid Not Afraid as Gail
- I am Sam (2001) as Annie
- Practical Magic 1998 as Aunt Jet
- Horse Whisperer 1998 as Diane Booker
- The Associate 1996 as Sally
- The Birdcage 1996 as Louise Keeley
- Bullets Over Broadway 1994 as Helen Sinclairs
- Cops and Robbersons 1994
- The Scout 1994 as Doctor Aaron
| Best TV:
- Rabbit Hole
- In Treatment 2008-2009 as Dr. Gina
- Synecdoche, New York 2008 as Ellen Bascomb/Millicent Weems
- Dan in Real Life 2007 as Nana
| Stage credits:
- Appreared with Joseph Papp`s New York Shakespeare Festival and on Broadway in Frankenstein.
- Ashes, Public Theatre, New York City, 1977
- Lizzard, Leave It to Beaver Is Dead, Public Theatre 1979
- Elizabeth Barrow Colt, The of Dining, Public Theatre, 1979
- Nicole, Bonjour, Phoenix Theatre, Marymount Manhatten Theatre New York, 1980
- Title role, Hedda Gabler, Yale Repertory Theatre, New Haven, CT, 1980
- Elizabeth Lavenza, Frankeinstein, Palace Theatre, New York City 1981
- Masha, Three Sisters, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City, 1982
- Desdemona, Othello, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1982
- Doll`s House, Yale Repertory Theatre, 1982
- Prudence, Beyond Therapy, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York 1982
- Deborah, Other Places, Manhattan Theatre Club, 1983
- Serenading Louie, 1983
- Maggie, After the Fall, Playhouse 91, New York City, 1984
- Anka, Hunting Cockroaches, Manhattan Theatre Club, 1987
- Gertruse Eastman Cuevas, In the Summer House, Vivian Beaumont Theatre, New York City 1993
- Harris Yulin, Don Juan in Hell, Symphony Space, 1994
- Blue Light, Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor, NY 1994
- Aunt, The Shawl, Jewish Repertory Theatre, 1996
- Mischa Barton, One Flea Spare, Public Theatre, 1997
- Also appeared in Agamemnon, Public Theatre;
- Heartbreak House, Arena Stage; The Dybbuk,
- Arena Stage; Inherit the Wind,
- Arena Stage; Three Sisters; as Diane, Square One, McGinn-Cazale Theatre, New York City ; understudy Penelope/Mildred; Happy Birthday, Wanda June, Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York City.
| | Endorsements: | Other notable appearances/credits:
- In Treatmeant: Gina Toll
- Law &Order: D.A. Nora Lewin
- The 10th Kingdom: The Evil Queen/Christine Lewis
- The Return of Jezebel James : Talia Thomkins
- Hallmark of Hall of Fame: Lily The Blackwater Lightship
- Late Show with David Letterman Guest show:0339
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: DA Nora Lewin: Episode: One
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: District Attorney Nora Lewin:
- Episode: Redicule
- Chameleon
- Road to Avalon : Lillian Hepworth Episode: Woman of Importance
- Academy Awards:
- The 67th Annual Academy Awards: Herself
- The 62nd Annual Academy Awards- Herself-Presenter
- The 63rd Annual Academy Awards: Herself-Presenter
- The 68th Annual Academy Awards: Herself
- The 59th Annual Academy Awards: Herself
- The Theatre in America: Guest Star: Out of Our Father`s House
- The Theatre in America: Guest Star: Zalmen, or The Madness of God
| | Top awards: | Fun Facts:
- Keanu Reeves, who is sixteen years her junior, proposed to her during the filming of Parenthood.
- She was listed as one of the twelve "Promising New Actors of 1985 in John Wills`Screen World, Vol 37
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Family:
Two Brothers:
Two adopted Daughters:
In April 2005, her daughter Emily and two teenage classmates from the Beekman School, a high school located in an East Side townhouse, were acused of robbing and beating up a fourth student on a midtown sidewalk after getting into a shoving and pushing match on school property. | Relationships:
- She was in a long-term realtionship with a New York talent agent, Sam Cohn, for many years
| | Frequent collaborators: | Books
- International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, Volume 3: Actors and Actresses, St. James Press, 1996
- Newsmakers 1995, Issue 4, Gale Research, 1995
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1995 Won Oscar Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
1990 Nominated Oscar Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Parenthood (1989)
1987 Won Oscar Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
1992 Nominated Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Edward Scissorhands (1990)
American Comedy Awards, USA
1999 Nominated American Comedy Award Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
for: Practical Magic (1998)
1997 Won American Comedy Award Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
for: The Birdcage (1996)
1995 Won American Comedy Award Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
BAFTA Awards
1988 Nominated BAFTA Film Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Radio Days (1987)
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
1999 Nominated Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy/Romance
for: Practical Magic (1998)
1997 Won Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy
for: The Birdcage (1996)
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
1987 Won BSFC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
1995 Won CFCA Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Chlotrudis Awards
1995 Won Chlotrudis Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Narrowly won over Kirsten Dunst by a single vote.
Emmy Awards
2009 Nominated Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
for: "In Treatment" (2008)
2008 Won Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
for: "In Treatment" (2008)
1999 Nominated Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
for: The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999) (TV)
1997 Won Emmy Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
for: "Road to Avonlea" (1989)
For playing "Lillian Hepworth".
For episode "Woman of Importance".
Golden Globes, USA
2009 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
for: "In Treatment" (2008)
1995 Won Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
1990 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: Parenthood (1989)
1987 Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Gotham Awards
2008 Won Best Ensemble Cast
for: Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Shared with:
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Samantha Morton
Michelle Williams
Catherine Keener
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Emily Watson
Hope Davis
Tom Noonan
Tied with Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008).
Gracie Allen Awards
2009 Won Gracie Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series
for: "In Treatment" (2008)
Independent Spirit Awards
2009 Won Robert Altman Award
for: Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Shared with:
Charlie Kaufman (director)
Jeanne McCarthy (casting director)
Hope Davis
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Catherine Keener
Samantha Morton
Tom Noonan
Emily Watson
Michelle Williams
1995 Won Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Female
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
1995 Won KCFCC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
1994 Won LAFCA Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
1986 Won LAFCA Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Tied with Cathy Tyson for Mona Lisa (1986).
National Board of Review, USA
1986 Won NBR Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA
1995 Won NSFC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
1987 Won NSFC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
1994 Won NYFCC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
1986 Won NYFCC Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Satellite Awards
2008 Nominated Satellite Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
for: "In Treatment" (2008)
2005 Won Golden Satellite Award Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
for: The Blackwater Lightship (2004) (TV)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2002 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
for: "Law & Order" (1990)
Shared with:
Angie Harmon
Jesse L. Martin
S. Epatha Merkerson
Jerry Orbach
Elisabeth Röhm
Sam Waterston
2001 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
for: "Law & Order" (1990)
Shared with:
Angie Harmon
Steven Hill
Jesse L. Martin
S. Epatha Merkerson
Jerry Orbach
Sam Waterston
1997 Won Actor Outstanding Performance by a Cast
for: The Birdcage (1996)
Shared with:
Robin Williams
Gene Hackman
Nathan Lane
Hank Azaria
Christine Baranski
Dan Futterman
1995 Won Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
1995 Won SEFCA Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Sundance Film Festival
2006 Won Special Jury Prize Dramatic
for: A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
Shared with:
Robert Downey Jr.
Shia LaBeouf
Rosario Dawson
Chazz Palminteri
Channing Tatum
For the ensemble performance.
1996 - Tribute to Independent Vision Award
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