Michelle Pfeiffer, born April 29, 1958, in Santa Ana, California, is an acclaimed American actress known for her roles in films like Scarface, Batman Returns, and The Fabulous Baker Boys.
She gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, earning three Academy Award nominations and multiple Golden Globe Awards.
Pfeiffer’s career includes diverse roles, from drama to comedy and she has also ventured into production.
Siblings
Michelle has three siblings, an older brother named Rick and two younger sisters, Dedee and Lori.
Both Dedee and Lori have had brief careers in acting and modeling but chose not to pursue it as a long-term profession.
Michelle often shares her bond with her siblings on social media, celebrating their close relationship, especially during occasions like National Sibling Day.
Career
Pfeiffer began her career in the late 1970s with television appearances.
Her first notable role was in the TV movie The Children Nobody Wanted, which showcased her talent and led to further opportunities in Hollywood.
However, Pfeiffer’s breakout role came in Grease 2, where she played the lead character, Stephanie Zinone. Although the film was not a commercial success, it helped her gain recognition.
Her performance in Scarface, where she portrayed Elvira Hancock, the glamorous girlfriend of Tony Montana (played by Al Pacino), solidified her status as a rising star.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Pfeiffer starred in several critically acclaimed films that contributed to her rise to stardom.
In Dangerous Liaisons, she received her first Academy Award nomination for her role as Madame de Tourvel, a virtuous woman caught in a web of seduction and manipulation.
Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Susie Diamond in The Fabulous Baker Boys earned her a second Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award.
Perhaps one of her most iconic roles came in Batman Returns, where her portrayal of Catwoman is often regarded as one of the best interpretations of the character, combining seduction, strength, and vulnerability.
In Love Field, she played a housewife obsessed with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, earning her a third Academy Award nomination.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pfeiffer continued to take on diverse roles in films such as The Age of Innocence, directed by Martin Scorsese, where she played Countess Ellen Olenska, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotional complexity.
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She also starred in the psychological thriller What Lies Beneath, alongside Harrison Ford, which demonstrated her versatility and ability to tackle suspenseful material.
After a successful career, Pfeiffer took a step back from acting in the early 2000s to focus on her family.
During this hiatus, she became involved in various philanthropic efforts and dedicated time to raising her children.
However, Pfeiffer made a notable return to the big screen in 2017 with several high-profile projects.
In Murder on the Orient Express, she played Mrs. Hubbard, a character central to the film’s mystery.
She also portrayed Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp, in Ant-Man and the Wasp marking her entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In recent years, Pfeiffer has continued to take on diverse roles, including her performance in French Exit, a dark comedy where she played a wealthy widow who moves to Paris with her cat after her financial collapse.
She also portrayed Betty Ford in the anthology series The First Lady, which explores the lives of various First Ladies of the United States.
Awards and accolades
Pfeiffer has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career.
She has been nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Dangerous Liaisons and Best Actress for The Fabulous Baker Boys and Love Field.
Pfeiffer won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for The Fabulous Baker Boys and has received a total of eight Golden Globe nominations.
In addition to her Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, she has been recognized by various film critics associations, winning Best Actress awards from the National Board of Review, the National Society of Film Critics, and the New York Film Critics Circle, among others.
Pfeiffer also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in The Wizard of Lies.
Her accolades extend to international recognition, including a British Academy Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Dangerous Liaisons.
In 2021, Pfeiffer won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance in French Exit.
She contributions to film and television have solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
