We bring you the facts about the Oscar winning actress…
This week, Julianne Moore stars in the powerful and moving STILL ALICE, which is released in Irish cinemas on Friday March 6th. Moore has been highly praised for her performance as Alzheimer’s patient Alice Howland, and scooped her first Oscar for the role. To celebrate the release of STILL ALICE and Moore’s Oscar win, we bring you 10 facts about the actress.
1. Julie Smith
Julianne was born Julie Anne Smith, but this name was already taken by a member of Actor’s Equity. In an interview with The New York Times, Moore explains her name change; “My father’s middle name is Moore; my mother’s name is Anne. So I just slammed the Anne onto the Julie. That way, I could use both of their names and not hurt anyone’s feelings. But it’s horrible to change your name. I’d been Julie Smith my whole life, and I didn’t want to change it.”
2. Categories
Moore is one of few to have been nominated for both a Supporting and a Lead Acting Academy Award in the same year. In 2003, she was nominated for a Supporting Oscar for her role in THE HOURS and in the Lead category for her role in FAR FROM HEAVEN. Moore lost out in both categories.
3. Writer
As well as being an accomplished actress, Moore has authored a series of childrens’ books called FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY, in which the lead character wants to be rid of her freckles, but eventually learns to love herself the way she is. Aww. Moore recently signed a five book deal with Random House.
4. Early start
Julianne’s very first role on stage came when she played the Little Red-Haired Girl in ‘You’re a good man, Charlie Brown’, while still in school. She was scared and did not like her time on stage, but obviously came to terms with her fear as she got older.
5. Oscar
Julianne Moore was 54 when she won her first Oscar for STILL ALICE, and is the first actress in 62 years to win the accolade while being in her ‘50s. Shirley Booth won for her role in COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA when she was also 54. Moore had been nominated three times before she won.
6. Reunited
Moore suggested Alec Baldwin for the role of her on-screen husband in STILL ALICE. The two played a couple in TV’s 30 ROCK, and Moore wanted to work with Baldwin again.
7. Comedy
Until recently, Moore was best known for her work in dramatic films. In 2009, she starred in the TV comedy 30 ROCK, the dramedy THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT in 2010 and actively sought out a comedy for her next project. This project was CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE and Moore’s performance was well received by critics.
8. Hoffman
Julianne starred with Philip Seymour Hoffman in four films; BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 and THE BIG LEBOWSKI. In addition, both starred in separate films in the Hannibal Lecter franchise; Moore in HANNIBAL as Clarice, and Hoffman in RED DRAGON as Freddie Lounds.
9. What’s Next?
Julianne Moore next stars in SEVENTH SON, released in Irish cinemas on March 27th, as an evil queen. We can’t wait.
10. When can I see STILL ALICE?
STILL ALICE is released in Irish cinemas on March 6th 2015. Watch the trailer here…