Sally Hawkins

Sally Hawkins
Born
Sally Cecilia Hawkins

(1976-04-27) 27 April 1976 (age 48)
Dulwich, London, England
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
WorksFull list
Parent
Relatives

Sally Cecilia Hawkins (born 27 April 1976) is an English actress who began her career on stage and then moved into film. She has received several awards including a Golden Globe Award in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and two British Academy Film Awards.

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she started her career as a stage actress in productions such as Romeo and Juliet (playing Juliet), Much Ado About Nothing, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her first major role was in Mike Leigh's All or Nothing in 2002. She continued working with Leigh, appearing in a supporting role in Vera Drake (2004) and taking the lead in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), for which she won several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and the Silver Bear for Best Actress.

Hawkins appeared in two Woody Allen films, Cassandra's Dream (2007) and Blue Jasmine (2013); for the latter, she received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to play lead roles in Made in Dagenham (2010), Paddington (2014), Maudie (2016), and Paddington 2 (2017), and appeared in Godzilla (2014), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Wonka (2023). For starring as Elisa Esposito, a mute cleaning woman in the fantasy film The Shape of Water (2017), she earned critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

She has also appeared in stage productions with the Royal Court Theatre in London, and in 2010 made her Broadway debut in Mrs. Warren's Profession. In 2012 she starred in Constellations at the Royal Court Theatre, which later moved to the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End. On television, she appeared in the BBC adaptations of Tipping the Velvet (2002) as Zena Blake, and Fingersmith (2005) as Sue Trinder. She also appeared as Anne Elliot in Persuasion (2007), ITV's adaptation of Jane Austen's novel.

Early life and education

[edit]

Hawkins was born in Dulwich, London on 27 April 1976,[1][2] the daughter of Jacqui Hawkins and Colin Hawkins, authors and illustrators of children's books.[1] Her parents both have Irish ancestry.[3] She has a brother, Finbar, a television and film producer[4] with Aardman Animations, who also writes children's books.[5]

Hawkins grew up in Blackheath in a National Trust-protected gingerbread house designed by Patrick Gwynne.[6] She developed an interest in acting at the age of three when she went to a circus show. She intended to go into comedy but ended up doing theatre plays.[7] She attended James Allen's Girls' School in Dulwich, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1998.[6]

Career

[edit]

Hawkins started her career primarily as a stage actress in such productions as Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Romeo and Juliet, The Cherry Orchard, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Misconceptions. She also had small appearances on television series such as Casualty and Doctors. In 1998 while still a student, she was cast as an extra in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.[8]

In 2002, she played Samantha in Mike Leigh's film All or Nothing. It was the first of three films Hawkins and Leigh worked on together, the second of which was the 2004 film Vera Drake. She appeared as Slasher in the 2004 action film Layer Cake. Her first major television role came in 2005, when she played Susan Trinder in the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama Fingersmith, an adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel of the same name, in which she co-starred with Imelda Staunton. She then starred in another BBC adaptation, Patrick Hamilton's Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky. Between 2003 and 2005 she appeared in four episodes of the BBC comedy series Little Britain. She acted in David Hare's adaptation of Federico García Lorca's play The House of Bernarda Alba in 2005, at Royal National Theatre.

Hawkins on the set of Persuasion in 2006

She has also lent her voice to numerous radio series such as Concrete Cow, on which she also was a writer, Ed Reardon's Week, Think the Unthinkable, Cash Cows, War with the Newts and The Party Line.

In 2006, Hawkins returned to the stage, appearing at the Royal Court Theatre in Jez Butterworth's The Winterling. During 2006 she also made uncredited appearances in Richard Ayoade's Man to Man with Dean Learner where she played various uncredited roles in various deleted scenes included on the series DVD. She was later directed by Ayoade in two of his films, The Double and Submarine. In 2007, she played Anne Elliot in the television film of Jane Austen's Persuasion.[9] Her performance was well received by critics and was awarded a Golden Nymph.[10] She also had a supporting role in the Woody Allen film Cassandra's Dream, starring Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor.

In 2008, Hawkins had her breakthrough when reunited with Leigh for a third time in the 2008 comedy-drama film Happy-Go-Lucky, portraying Poppy Cross, a kindhearted primary school teacher. Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars, praising its humor and depth and Hawkins's acting, stating "[Sally Hawkins] is a joy to behold."[11] Peter Bradshaw wrote in The Guardian that "Sally Hawkins plays [Poppy] superbly", while Tom Long of The Detroit News dubbed her performance "Oscar-worthy".[12] Her performance received many accolades, including winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and Silver Bear for Best Actress.[13][14]

Three films starring Hawkins, Made in Dagenham, Submarine and Never Let Me Go, all premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.[15] All three received positive reviews and Hawkins's performances were met with critical acclaim. Regarding her performance in Made In Dagenham, Roger Ebert wrote that "[Hawkins] shows an effortless lightness of being"[16] while Xan Brooks of The Guardian remarked that "Hawkins gives a winning performance".[17] In October 2010, she appeared on Broadway as Vivie in Mrs. Warren's Profession at the American Airlines Theatre.[18] In 2011 she had a supporting role in the film adaptation of Jane Eyre, and was the female lead in the romantic comedy film Love Birds. In 2012, she and Rafe Spall co-starred in the play Constellations at the Royal Court Theatre and later Duke of York's Theatre. The play was met with positive reviews and won the best play category at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.[19] She also had a small role as Mrs Joe in the 2012 adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations.

In 2013, Hawkins starred opposite Cate Blanchett and was directed by Woody Allen for the second time in the critically acclaimed film Blue Jasmine, a role for which she received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, as well as nods for the BAFTA, the Golden Globe and other accolades.[20][21] The same year she starred in All Is Bright alongside Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd, and had a small appearance as a receptionist in the Richard Ayoade film The Double. In 2014, she appeared in Godzilla as Dr Vivienne Graham, a scientist assisting Dr Ishiro Serizawa, played by Ken Watanabe. Godzilla received positive reviews and grossed over $529 million to become Hawkins's most seen film to that point. She reprised the role in 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters,[22] which grossed $177 million in its opening weekend and subsequently earned $386 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2019. She also co-starred with John Hawkes and Michael Cera in the Charlie Kaufman television pilot How and Why, which was not picked up.[23] Hawkins portrayed the mother of Asa Butterfield's character in the drama film X+Y, which premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.[24]

Hawkins' "Paws"-themed Paddington Bear statue in London, auctioned to raise funds for the NSPCC

In November 2014, Hawkins portrayed Mrs Brown in the critically acclaimed film Paddington.[25] The film is based on the children's books by Michael Bond where Paddington, an anthropomorphic bear who migrates from the jungles of Peru to the streets of London, is adopted by the Brown family. Hawkins reprised her role as Mrs Brown for the sequel, Paddington 2 (2017), which also received acclaim.[26][27] Upon the 2014 release of Paddington, Hawkins designed a "Paws"-themed Paddington Bear statue, which was located outside the Duke of York Square shopping centre (one of 50 placed around London), with the statues auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).[28]

In 2017 she appeared in the Guillermo del Toro film The Shape of Water, as Elisa Esposito, a mute woman who falls in love with a captured humanoid amphibian creature. She received widespread acclaim for her performance. Matthew Norman of London Evening Standard called it a career defining performance.[29] Mark Kermode of The Guardian called her "sublime",[30] Mihir Fadnavis of Firstpost called it a "winning performance",[31] while Ann Horaday writing for The Washington Post stated that "Sally Hawkins delivers a beautiful performance".[32] Hawkins earned nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award for Best Actress. The film itself won Best Picture at the 90th Academy Awards.

In 2022 she starred in The Lost King, a dramatisation of the story of Philippa Langley, the woman who initiated the search to find King Richard III's remains under a car park in Leicester.

In 2023, Hawkins starred in Wonka, a film which serves as a prequel to the Roald Dahl novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, exploring Willy Wonka's origins.[33]

Personal life

[edit]

Hawkins revealed in 2018 that she suffers from lupus,[34] which can make it difficult for her to travel.[5] She is also dyslexic.[35]

She is unmarried.[5]

Filmography

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Work Award Result
2007 Persuasion Golden Nymph Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Film Won
Royal Television Award for Best Actress Won
2008 Happy-Go-Lucky Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Actress Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Won
Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress Won
International Cinephile Society Award for Best Actress[36] Won
Evening Standard British Film Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Won
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical[37] Won
Hollywood Film Award for Breakout Actress of the Year Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Won
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress Won
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Won
New York Film Critics Online Award for Best Actress Won
New York Film Critics Online Award for Breakthrough Performer Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Won
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Won
Silver Bear for Best Actress Won
Village Voice Film Poll – Best Actress Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Ensemble Cast Nominated
British Independent Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
European Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Nominated
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Nominated
2010 Made in Dagenham British Independent Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
Submarine British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2013 Blue Jasmine Empire Award for Best Supporting Actress Won
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress Runner-up
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Detroit Film Critics Society for Best Ensemble Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated
Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female Nominated
International Cinephile Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Award for Supporting Actress of the Year Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated
2014 X+Y British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2016 Maudie Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Feature Film Won
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Won
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress Won
London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year Won
Irish Film & Television Award for Best International Film Actress Nominated
2017 The Shape of Water Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Won
Dorian Award for Film Performance of the Year – Actress Won
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Won
London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Won
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress Won
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Won
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Runner-up
Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Won
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Runner-up
Academy Award for Best Actress Nominated
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominated
AACTA Award for Best International Lead Actress – Cinema Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress Nominated
Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Award for Actress of the Year Nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Nominated
Saturn Award for Best Actress Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Nominated
Paddington 2 London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actress of the Year Won
2019 The Snail and the Whale British Animation Award for Best Voice Performance Won
Eternal Beauty British Independent Film Award for Best Actress Nominated
BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actress Nominated
2021 Spencer AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Gilbey, Ryan (5 August 2017). "Sally Hawkins: low-key star with plenty to smile about". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  2. ^ Sawer, Patrick (12 January 2014). "Hollywood beckons for former public school pupils". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ^ Nettell, Stephanie. "Children's Books – Articles – Authorgraph No.116: Colin and Jacqui Hawkins | BfK No. 116". Books for Keeps. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  4. ^ Berman, Nat (22 July 2017). "Sally Five Things You Didn't Know About Sally Hawkins". TV Overmind. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Moshakis, Alex (30 October 2022). "Have I mucked it up?". The Observer.
  6. ^ a b Hoggard, Liz (10 November 2012). "Sally Hawkins: 'You only do good work when you're taking risks'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  7. ^ Galloway, Stephen; Guider, Elizabeth (8 December 2008). "Oscar Roundtable: The Actresses". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  8. ^ Ramin Setoodeh (16 December 2013). "Sally Hawkins on her secret 'Star Wars' role and 'Blue Jasmine'". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  9. ^ Donaldson, Rachel Helyer (1 October 2010). "Sally Hawkins saves the day in Made in Dagenham". The First Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Brit actress Sally Hawkins to visit Mill Valley film fest". Marinscope Community Newspapers. 1 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  11. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Happy-Go-Lucky Movie Review & Film Summary (2008)". www.rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  12. ^ "Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  13. ^ Silverman, Stephen (11 December 2008). "Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Score Golden Globe Nods". People. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  14. ^ "Nominations & Winners". Golden Globes. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  15. ^ Frenette, Brad (27 July 2010). "Toronto International Film Fest announces 2010 lineup". National Post. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  16. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Made in Dagenham Movie Review (2010)". www.rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  17. ^ Brooks, Xan (20 September 2010). "Made in Dagenham | Film review". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  18. ^ "Theater Review: A Friendly Clash of Charms in Mrs. Warren's Profession". Vulture. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  19. ^ Battersby, Matilda (2 January 2013). "Lift off for the writer with stars in his eyes". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 September 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  20. ^ "Oscars 2014 Winners: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  21. ^ "Golden Globes Nominations: The Full List". Variety. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Sally Hawkins Joins 'Godzilla' Cast". Deadline Hollywood. 5 April 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  23. ^ "FX's Charlie Kaufman Pilot Not Going Forward". Deadline Hollywood. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  24. ^ "X+Y". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  25. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (27 November 2014). "Paddington review – charming and cheeky". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  26. ^ Lodge, Guy (26 October 2017). "Film Review: 'Paddington 2'". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  27. ^ "Hugh Grant at world premiere of 'Paddington 2' (VIDEO)". Malay Mail. 7 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Why Paddington Bear Statues Have Taken Over London". Condé Nast. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  29. ^ "The Shape of Water (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  30. ^ Kermode, Mark; critic, Observer film (18 February 2018). "The Shape of Water review – a seductively melancholy creature feature". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  31. ^ "The Shape of Water movie review: Guillermo Del Toro's film is a visual spectacle and an emotional triumph". Firstpost. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Review | 'The Shape of Water' is a '50s-style creature feature, as modern-day allegory". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (21 September 2021). "Wonka: Warner Bros Movie Adds Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman & Jim Carter". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  34. ^ "'Shape of Water' star Sally Hawkins reveals she has Lupus". 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020.
  35. ^ Lubin, Rhian (3 February 2018). "British Oscar hopeful Sally Hawkins reveals how she overcame crippling shyness by acting". MSN. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  36. ^ "2009 ICS AWARD WINNERS". International Cinephile Society. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  37. ^ Elsworth, Catherine (12 January 2009). "Golden Globes 2009: Sally Hawkins wins best actress in musical or comedy – Telegraph". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
[edit]