Saoirse
(pronounced “sir-sha”) Ronan was born on April 12, 1994 in rural Carlow,
Ireland to Paul and Monica Ronan. Her father, who was an actor who lived
in New York for 13 years, co-starred with Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford in
“The Devil’s Own” (1996) and would frequently bring his daughter to the
set. Even as an infant, Ronan was already among the most accomplished
Hollywood talent, even being carried around on set by Pitt, no less. So
it was no surprise then, that by the time she was a teen, she was a
natural, acting opposite Hollywood heavyweights such as Catherine
Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bill Murray, to name a few.
Before Hollywood came knocking at her door, however, Ronan was
attending Ardattin Village’s school with just three teachers and 59
students. She had a border collie named Sassy and loved to act out
scenes with her “Toy Story” action figures and “Polly Pocket” dolls. Her
parents would listen as the young actress created different characters
and accents for her dolls, a skill that eventually help Ronan disguise
her thick Irish brogue for her acclaimed movie performances. She also
made audition tapes with the help of her dad – he even played
Knightley’s role of older sister Cecilia to Ronan’s Briony in her
audition tape for “Atonement.”
A call from her dad’s agent asking her to try out for the Irish TV
series “The Clinic” (RTE, 2003- ) began Ronan’s acting career. She then
went on to appear in another local series titled “Proof” (RTE, 2004-05)
before Hollywood took notice of the girl’s acting gifts. She landed a
small role in the film “I Could Never Be Your Woman” (2007), directed by
Amy Heckerling of “Clueless” (1995) fame. Ronan played Pfeiffer’s
daughter in the romantic comedy that also starred funny everyman (and
“Clueless” alum) Paul Rudd. Ronan also appeared in the two independent
films that same year: “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,” and
the Harry Houdini-based thriller “Death Defying Acts” with Zeta-Jones
and Guy Pearce.
But it was “Atonement,” a film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel that
became Ronan’s most high profile film of her short life up until that
point. She played the young Briony Tallis in the Joe Wright-directed
movie that also starred Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave (playing
Briony at other times in her life). Everyone was in awe of the young
Irish girl’s performance in the movie – the character who accuses her
sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit – including her co-star,
role model, and onscreen sister Knightley, who exclaimed “I take advice
from Saoirse; I wouldn’t dream of giving it to her” as they walked the
red carpet together at the Venice Film Festival.
Hollywood not only welcomed Ronan with open arms, it went head over
heels for her. All the major talent agencies wanted to sign her, with
the same enthusiasm they had for child stars Breslin and Fanning before
her. Ronan eventually signed with CAA. Furthering her rapid rise, Ronan
earned nominations at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards for Best
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for "Atonement."
Meanwhile, Ronan secured her place in two other highly coveted roles;
the first of which was the fantasy adventure “City of Ember” (2008)
about two teens who attempt to solve an ancient mystery to save their
city from being swallowed by darkness. She said working on the film with
versatile funnyman Murray was unforgettable. “I had four scenes with
Bill, but those four scenes you just remember for the rest of your
life,” Ronan said.
The buzz on “Atonement” was still red hot when it was announced that
Ronan would star in “The Lovely Bones,” as the narrator and murder
victim Susie Salmon, opposite Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz, and Mark
Wahlberg. The young actress was most thrilled to work with “Lovely
Bones” director Peter Jackson because, like many girls her age, she had
so loved his “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy (2001-03).
Source:
http://www.hollywood.com/
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