Annette Bening
Biography
Annette Carol Bening is an American actress born on May 29, 1958, in Topeka, Kansas. The youngest of four children, she relocated to California during her youth. Bening is an alumna of San Francisco State University and the American Conservatory Theater. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, she has established a reputation for versatile performances across both screen and stage. Her professional recognition includes a BAFTA Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Additionally, she has earned nominations for five Academy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, marking her as one of the few artists to be nominated for the Triple Crown of Acting.
Career overview
Bening began her professional acting career in 1980 with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival company. Her early stage work included a performance as Lady Macbeth in 1984 at the American Conservatory Theater. Over the following decades, she transitioned into a prominent film career, gaining recognition for her roles in various motion pictures. Notable film credits cited in her body of work include American Beauty, Bugsy, Being Julia, and The Kids Are All Right. These roles have contributed to her status as an Oscar-nominated actor with a significant presence in the entertainment industry.
With 94 known credits listed in her professional profile, Bening has maintained a consistent output in both film and television. Her work is characterized by a breadth of performances that have garnered critical attention and industry accolades. As a performer who has navigated both theatrical and cinematic mediums, she remains a notable figure in American acting. Her career trajectory from regional theater to major motion pictures reflects a sustained commitment to the craft of acting over the course of more than forty years.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Lucky (2026) as Priscilla Masterson
- Dutton Ranch (2026) as Beulah Jackson
- The Bride! (2026) as Dr. Euphronious
- Heightened Scrutiny (2025) as Self
- Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life (2025) as Self
- Apples Never Fall (2024) as Joy Delaney
- Apples Never Fall (2024) Executive Producer
- Poolman (2024) as Diane Espilnade
- Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter (2023) as Self
- NYAD (2023) as Diana Nyad
- Death on the Nile (2022) as Euphemia Bouc
- Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022) as Marge Selbee
- A Night at the Academy Museum (2021) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self - Guest
- Captain Marvel (2019) as Supreme Intelligence / Dr. Wendy Lawson
- Georgetown (2019) as Amanda Brecht
- The Report (2019) as Dianne Feinstein
- Hope Gap (2019) as Grace
- The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts (2019) as Narrator (voice)
- Life Itself (2018) as Dr. Cait Morris
- The Seagull (2018) as Irina Arkadina
- Beyond Boundaries: The Harvey Weinstein Scandal (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017) as Gloria Grahame
- 20th Century Women (2016) as Dorothea
- Rules Don't Apply (2016) as Lucy Mabrey
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015) as Self
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (2015) as Self
- Danny Collins (2015) as Mary Sinclair
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- And the Oscar Goes To... (2014) as Self - Interviewee
- The Search (2014) as Helen
- The Face of Love (2013) as Nikki Lostorm
- Ruby Sparks (2012) as Gertrude
- Ginger & Rosa (2012) as Bella
- Girl Most Likely (2012) as Zelda
- The Kids Are All Right (2010) as Nic
- I'm Still Here (2010) Thanks
- Mother and Child (2009) as Karen
- PoliWood (2009) as Self
- Miloš Forman: What Doesn't Kill You… (2009) as Self
- The Women (2008) as Sylvie Fowler
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self - Guest
- 14 Women (2007) as Narrator (voice)
- Running with Scissors (2006) as Deirdre Burroughs
- Mrs. Harris (2006) as Jean Harris
- The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (2006) as Holly Dancer (segment "Coastal Disturbances")
- Who Needs Sleep? (2006) as Self
- The Road to Damascus: The Reinvention of Bugsy Siegel (2006) as Self
- Being Julia (2004) as Julia Lambert
- Beyond the 'Open Range' (2004) as Self
- Sesame Street: Cookie Monster's Best Bites (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self - Guest
- Open Range (2003) as Sue Barlow
- Liberty's Kids (2002) as Abigail Adams (voice)
- What Planet Are You From? (2000) as Susan Anderson
- American Beauty: Look Closer... (2000) as Self
- The Directors: Milos Forman (2000) as Self
- The Sopranos (1999) as Annette Bening
- American Beauty (1999) as Carolyn Burnham
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- Forever Hollywood (1999) as Self
- In Dreams (1999) as Claire Cooper
- The Siege (1998) as Elise Kraft / Sharon Bridger
- The View (1997) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- Mars Attacks! (1996) as Barbara Land
- The American President (1995) as Sydney Ellen Wade
- Richard III (1995) as Queen Elizabeth
- Love Affair (1994) as Terry McKay
- Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self - Guest
- Regarding Henry (1991) as Sarah Turner
- Bugsy (1991) as Virginia Hill
- Guilty by Suspicion (1991) as Ruth Merrill
- The Grifters (1990) as Myra Langtry
- Postcards from the Edge (1990) as Evelyn Ames
- Valmont (1989) as Merteuil
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- The Great Outdoors (1988) as Kate Craig
- Hostage (1988) as Jill
- Wiseguy (1987) as Karen Leland / Maloy
- Manhunt for Claude Dallas (1986) as Ann Tillman
- Miami Vice (1984) as Vicky
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Today (1952) as Self
- In Love
- 42.6 Years as Ruthie
- Behind the Lines as Narrator (voice)
- Turn of Mind as Dr. Jennifer White