Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver
Good Will Hunting, The Riches (TV), Grosse Pointe Blank
Audiences may not know where Minnie Driver’s next character calls home, but they can be sure that no matter where it is, British–born Driver will make her authentic. Minnie Driver first came to the attention of audiences and critics alike in 1995 for her critically acclaimed performance in CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, in which she starred with Chris O’Donnell. She went on to earn Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations, both in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Miramax's award–winning feature, GOOD WILL HUNTING, directed by Gus Van Sent. In 1998 she was honored with ShoWest's prestigious Female Star of Tomorrow for her work.
Her film career is not only filled with characters from all over the world, but representing a diversity of choices in both the independent and major film worlds. Among her critically acclaimed performances are the films TAKE, which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival; the dark comedy GROSSE POINTE BLANK; RETURN TO ME, opposite David Duchovny; the feature of Oscar Wilde's, AN IDEAL HUSBAND; provided the voice of "Jane" in Walt Disney's, TARZAN; HIGH HEELS AND LOW LIFES; THE GOVERNESS; BEAUTIFUL (which she produced with her sister, Kate for their production company, Two Drivers); BIG NIGHT; ELLA ENCHANTED; and in SLEEPERS she was the only female alongside Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt and Dustin Hoffman, directed by Barry Levinson.
Driver appeared as the unforgettable, "Dahlia Molloy" on the critically acclaimed FX television series, THE RICHES. An audience favorite, Driver received an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for her role. She also made several guest appearances on NBC's Will & Grace, as "Lorraine Finster," a critic and fan darling.
In 2010, she completed a five–part thriller set thousands of feet below the arctic ice in the BBC's, THE DEEP and starred as The 2nd Mrs. P in BARNEY'S VERSION opposite Paul Giamatti. For this role, she went on to win a Genie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Recently, she appeared in several episodes of WEB THERAPY and starred in I GIVE IT A YEAR, a 2013 British comedy film, written and directed by Dan Mazer. The film has not yet been released in the USA. It marks Mazer's directorial debut, having previously been best known for writing the Sacha Baron Cohen films BORAT and BRUNO.
Driver, a singer before she became an actress, lent her vocals to the original title track, "Learn to be Lonely," written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, for the 1995 film version of his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by Joel Schumacher. The song, which played over the end credits, was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in the "Best Original Song" category. Driver made an indelible impression as "Carlotta" the reigning Italian opera house diva, and received critical praise for her performance including a nomination by the Critics Circle in the Best British Actress in a Supporting Role category.
Driver released her debut album, EVERYTHING IN MY POCKET in 2004. She toured with the Finn Brothers in the UK and headlined her own sold–out tour in the US. In 2007, Driver's second album, SEASTORIES, was released. The album features performances from Ryan Adams and his band "The Cardinals," as well as indie queen Liz Phair.
On stage, Driver appeared at London's Comedy Theatre with Matthew Perry and Hank Azaria in David Mamet's SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO. The play held the record for the largest box-office advance for a West End show at that time. Other theatrical productions include: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE MARRIED MAN, SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, and CAMINO REAL.
Among her charitable causes is OXFAM, for which she is a spokesperson. In 2004, she traveled to Cambodia and Thailand for the international aid agency, to draw attention to the exploitation of the poverty stricken workforce in the garment industry. She is also active on behalf of the environment and animal well–being.
Minnie Driver's Official Website