Abbie Cornish
Encyclopedia
Abbie Cornish is an Australian actress. She is well known in Australia for a number of film and television roles, particularly her award-winning lead performance in 2004's Somersault
, and internationally for her role as Fanny Brawne
in Bright Star
and her appearance as Sweet Pea in Sucker Punch
.
, as the second of five children. She grew up on a 170-acre farm, attended Catholic school
, and was fascinated by independent
and foreign films.
competition. By the time she was sixteen, Cornish was juggling television acting roles with studying for her Higher School Certificate, with the intention of pursuing a career as a veterinarian
. In 1999, Cornish was awarded the Australian Film Institute
Young Actor's Award for her role in the ABC's television show Wildside
and was soon offered her first role in a feature film, The Monkey's Mask
.
In 2004, Cornish appeared in the award-winning short film Everything Goes
with Hugo Weaving
. She received the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
, Best Actress at the FCCA and IF Awards
and Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2005 Miami International Film Festival
for her role in 2004's Somersault
, the film which raised her to international prominence. Cornish received widespread critical acclaim for her role in 2006's Candy
, which she starred in opposite Heath Ledger
. She has also starred in A Good Year
, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Kimberly Peirce
's latest movie, Stop-Loss
. In April 2010, Cornish was cast in Limitless
, the film adaptation of the novel The Dark Fields
, directed by Neil Burger
and also starring Bradley Cooper
and Robert De Niro
. The film was released in March 2011.
Cornish narrated Zack Snyder
's film Sucker Punch
, that stars her together with Emily Browning
and others, at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.
Cornish will play the role of Wally in Madonna
's film W.E.
about Edward VIII
and Wallis Simpson. The shooting began 5 July 2010 in Britain, and the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival
on September 1, 2011.
Somersault (film)
Somersault is an Australian independent film, written and directed by Cate Shortland and released in September 2004. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival...
, and internationally for her role as Fanny Brawne
Fanny Brawne
Frances Brawne Lindon is most known for her betrothal to 19th-Century English Romantic poet John Keats, a fact largely unknown until 1878, when Keats' letters to her were published...
in Bright Star
Bright Star (film)
Bright Star is a 2009 film based on the last three years of the life of poet John Keats and his romantic relationship with Fanny Brawne. It stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as Fanny...
and her appearance as Sweet Pea in Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch (film)
Sucker Punch is a 2011 action-fantasy thriller film, directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by him and Steve Shibuya. It is Snyder's first film based on an original script. The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and Oscar Isaac...
.
Early life
Cornish was born in Lochinvar, New South WalesLochinvar, New South Wales
Lochinvar is a small town in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia in Maitland City Council. It is named after Lochinvar, a loch in southern Scotland....
, as the second of five children. She grew up on a 170-acre farm, attended Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
, and was fascinated by independent
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
and foreign films.
Career
Her career began at the age of thirteen, when she began taking jobs as a model after reaching the finals of a Dolly MagazineDolly Magazine
Dolly is a monthly teen magazine started in 1970 by Fairfax Ltd. in Australia, and purchased by ACP in 1988. The current editor is Gemma Crisp, former features editor at Cleo, who was made editor of Dolly magazine in September 2007...
competition. By the time she was sixteen, Cornish was juggling television acting roles with studying for her Higher School Certificate, with the intention of pursuing a career as a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. In 1999, Cornish was awarded the Australian Film Institute
Australian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
Young Actor's Award for her role in the ABC's television show Wildside
Wildside (TV drama)
Wildside is an Australian police procedural television series broadcast on the ABC from 1997 to 1999.The show consisted of a one hour format that followed police interactions in inner Sydney. It starred Rachael Blake, Tony Martin, Richard Carter and Alex Dimitriades...
and was soon offered her first role in a feature film, The Monkey's Mask
The Monkey's Mask
The Monkey's Mask is a 2000 thriller film directed by Samantha Lang. It stars Susie Porter and Kelly McGillis. Porter plays a lesbian private detective who falls in love with a suspect in the disappearance of a young woman...
.
In 2004, Cornish appeared in the award-winning short film Everything Goes
Everything Goes
Everything Goes, released in 2004, is an award-winning short film directed by Andrew Kotatko. It is based on the short story Why Don't You Dance? from Raymond Carver's collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. The film stars Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish and Sullivan Stapleton...
with Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Wallace Weaving is a Nigerian born, English-Australian film actor and voice artist. He is best known for his roles as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy, Elrond in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, "V" in V for Vendetta, and performances in numerous Australian character dramas.-Early...
. She received the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role is an award presented annually at the Australian Film Institute Awards. The award has been presented annually since 1971.-History:...
, Best Actress at the FCCA and IF Awards
Inside Film Awards
The Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon...
and Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2005 Miami International Film Festival
Miami International Film Festival
The Miami International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Miami, Florida in the late winter. The film festival is sponsored by the Miami Film Society, which has been around since 1983....
for her role in 2004's Somersault
Somersault (film)
Somersault is an Australian independent film, written and directed by Cate Shortland and released in September 2004. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival...
, the film which raised her to international prominence. Cornish received widespread critical acclaim for her role in 2006's Candy
Candy (2006 film)
Candy is a 2006 Australian romantic drama film, adapted from Luke Davies's novel Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction. Candy was directed by debut film-maker Neil Armfield and stars Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush....
, which she starred in opposite Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
. She has also starred in A Good Year
A Good Year
A Good Year is a 2006 British romantic comedy film, set in London and Provence. It was directed by Ridley Scott, with an international cast including Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Didier Bourdon, Abbie Cornish and Albert Finney...
, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Kimberly Peirce
Kimberly Peirce
Kimberly Peirce is an American feature film director, notable for her debut feature film, Boys Don't Cry . Her second feature, Stop-Loss, was released by Paramount Pictures in 2008.- Early life and career :...
's latest movie, Stop-Loss
Stop-Loss (film)
Stop-Loss is a 2008 American drama film directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Abbie Cornish and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by MTV Films.-Plot:...
. In April 2010, Cornish was cast in Limitless
Limitless
Limitless is one of the world's largest private superyachts. She was built in 1997 by German shipmaker Lürssen, designed under the direction of Jon Bannenberg. The overall length is 96,25 m , the width 12,50 m...
, the film adaptation of the novel The Dark Fields
The Dark Fields
The Dark Fields is a 2001 techno-thriller novel by Irish writer Alan Glynn. It was re-released in March 2011 under the title Limitless, in order to coincide with its 2011 film adaptation.- Publication details :...
, directed by Neil Burger
Neil Burger
Neil Burger is an American film director who has filmed the pseudo-documentary, Interview with the Assassin , the period drama, The Illusionist, and the 2011 thriller Limitless.-Life and career:...
and also starring Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is an American film, theater, and television actor. He is known for his roles in the films The Hangover, The A-Team, and Limitless. In 2011, People magazine named Cooper "Sexiest Man Alive".-Early life:...
and Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
. The film was released in March 2011.
Cornish narrated Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder
Zachary Edward "Zack" Snyder is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer. After making his feature film debut with the 2004 remake Dawn of the Dead, he gained wide recognition with the 2007 box office hit 300, adapted from writer-artist Frank Miller's Dark Horse Comics...
's film Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch (film)
Sucker Punch is a 2011 action-fantasy thriller film, directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by him and Steve Shibuya. It is Snyder's first film based on an original script. The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and Oscar Isaac...
, that stars her together with Emily Browning
Emily Browning
Emily Jane Browning is an Australian film actress and fashion model, known for her roles as Violet Baudelaire in Brad Silberling's 2004 film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, as Anna Ivers in the 2009 film The Uninvited, as Babydoll in Zack Snyder's 2011 action thriller Sucker...
and others, at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.
Cornish will play the role of Wally in Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's film W.E.
W.E. (film)
W.E. is an upcoming romantic drama film co-written and directed by Madonna, starring Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough. It began filming on location in London, England, on July 5, 2010, and also shot in France and the United States...
about Edward VIII
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
and Wallis Simpson. The shooting began 5 July 2010 in Britain, and the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
on September 1, 2011.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Wildside | Simone Summers | Television series Australian Film Institute Australian Film Institute The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry... Young Actor's Award |
| 1999 | Close Contact | Sara Boyack | Television movie |
| 2000 | The Monkey's Mask The Monkey's Mask The Monkey's Mask is a 2000 thriller film directed by Samantha Lang. It stars Susie Porter and Kelly McGillis. Porter plays a lesbian private detective who falls in love with a suspect in the disappearance of a young woman... |
Mickey Norris | |
| 2000 | Water Rats Water Rats (TV series) Water Rats is an Australian TV police procedural broadcast on the Nine Network from 1996 to 2001. The series was based around the men and women of the Sydney Water Police who fight crime across Sydney Harbour and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around Goat Island in Sydney... |
Marie Marchand | Television series (Episode "Tribes") |
| 2001 | Outriders Outriders Outriders was an Australian children's television series that first screened on the Nine Network in 2001. It was a 26 part series produced by Southern Star Entertainment.-Synopsis:... |
Reggie McDowell | Television series (26 episodes) |
| 2001 | Life Support Life Support (TV series) Life Support was a comedy programme on Australia's SBS network which satirised lifestyle television programs. It ran for three seasons. On Australia Day 2006, a Life Support Marathon was shown on the Comedy Channel showing the first series and half of the second.-Concept:A satirical, sometimes... |
Penne #1 | Television series |
| 2003 | Horseplay | Becky Wodinski | |
| 2003 | White Collar Blue White Collar Blue White Collar Blue was an Australian television series made by Knapman Wyld Television for Network Ten from 2002 to 2003.Starring Peter O'Brien as Joe Hill and Freya Stafford as Harriet Walker, the series dealt with a division of the police force working in the city of Sydney and the personal and... |
Antonia McAlister | Television series |
| 2003 | Marking Time Marking Time Marking Time was an Australian television mini-series, consisting of four one-hour episodes. It first aired on 9 and 10 November 2003 on ABC-TV... |
Tracey | Television movie |
| 2004 | One Perfect Day One Perfect Day One Perfect Day is an Australian film released in 2004.-Plot:The central character of the film is Tommy Matisse; his name combines the title of The Who's 1969 rock opera Tommy and the last name of twentieth century French painter Henri Matisse.... |
Emma Matisse | |
| 2004 | Somersault Somersault (film) Somersault is an Australian independent film, written and directed by Cate Shortland and released in September 2004. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival... |
Heidi | Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role is an award presented annually at the Australian Film Institute Awards. The award has been presented annually since 1971.-History:... Film Critics Circle of Australia: Best Actress in A Lead Role Miami Film Festival: Best Breakthrough Performance Inside Film Awards Inside Film Awards The Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon... : Best Actress |
| 2004 | Everything Goes Everything Goes Everything Goes, released in 2004, is an award-winning short film directed by Andrew Kotatko. It is based on the short story Why Don't You Dance? from Raymond Carver's collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. The film stars Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish and Sullivan Stapleton... |
Brianie | Inside Film Awards Inside Film Awards The Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon... : Best Short Film |
| 2006 | Candy Candy (2006 film) Candy is a 2006 Australian romantic drama film, adapted from Luke Davies's novel Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction. Candy was directed by debut film-maker Neil Armfield and stars Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush.... |
Candy | Film Critics Circle of Australia: Best Actress in a Lead Role Nominated—Australian Film Institute Awards Australian Film Institute Awards The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,... : Best Lead Actress Nominated—Inside Film Awards Inside Film Awards The Inside Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony and broadcast platform for the Australian film industry, a format created by Australian Producer Andrew Dillon... : Best Actress |
| 2006 | A Good Year A Good Year A Good Year is a 2006 British romantic comedy film, set in London and Provence. It was directed by Ridley Scott, with an international cast including Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Didier Bourdon, Abbie Cornish and Albert Finney... |
Christie Roberts | |
| 2007 | Elizabeth: The Golden Age | Bess Throckmorton | |
| 2008 | Stop-Loss Stop-Loss (film) Stop-Loss is a 2008 American drama film directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Abbie Cornish and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by MTV Films.-Plot:... |
Michelle | |
| 2009 | Bright Star Bright Star (film) Bright Star is a 2009 film based on the last three years of the life of poet John Keats and his romantic relationship with Fanny Brawne. It stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as Fanny... |
Fanny Brawne Fanny Brawne Frances Brawne Lindon is most known for her betrothal to 19th-Century English Romantic poet John Keats, a fact largely unknown until 1878, when Keats' letters to her were published... |
Runner-up—International Cinephile Society Award for Best Actress Runner-up—San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress The San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress is an award given by the San Diego Film Critics Society to honor the finest female acting achievementes in filmmaking.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... 2nd Runner-up—National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress TheNational Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress is an annual award given by the National Society of Film Critics to honour the best leading actress of the year.-1960s:-1970s:-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated—British Independent Film Awards British Independent Film Awards The Moët British Independent Film Awards is an annual award ceremony celebrating achievement in independently funded British film and cinema. Nominations and jury are announced at the beginning of November with the award ceremony taking place in late November or early December.-History:The British... – Best Actress Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress is an annual award given by the Chicago Film Critics Association.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:-References:... Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress The Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress is an award given by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film to the actress or actresses whose winning performance is voted by participating members. The Chlotrudis Awards is an annual ceremony where the best of the previous year's independent and... Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Houston Film Critics Society The Houston Film Critics Society is a film critic organization in Houston, Texas, United States. The group presents an annual set of film awards for "extraordinary accomplishment in film" in a ceremony held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston... Nominated—London Film Critics Circle Award for Actress of the Year London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress The London Film Critics Circle Award for Actress of the Year in an annual award given by the London Film Critics Circle.-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:... Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama |
| 2010 | Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole | Otulissa (voice) | |
| 2011 | Limitless | Lindy | |
| 2011 | Sucker Punch Sucker Punch (film) Sucker Punch is a 2011 action-fantasy thriller film, directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by him and Steve Shibuya. It is Snyder's first film based on an original script. The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and Oscar Isaac... |
Sweet Pea | |
| 2011 | W.E. W.E. (film) W.E. is an upcoming romantic drama film co-written and directed by Madonna, starring Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough. It began filming on location in London, England, on July 5, 2010, and also shot in France and the United States... |
Wally Winthrop | post-production |
External links
- Abbie Cornish: Poetry in Motion Photos and Interview at Los Angeles Times Magazine
- Abbie Cornish: Video Interview at Los Angeles Times Magazine