Catherine Keener was born in 1960 in Miami, Florida. She later grew up in Hialeah, Florida and attended Catholic schools throughout her youth. Keener’s ancestral descent is a combination of Lebanese and Irish. Keener went on to attend college at Wheaton College in Massachusetts where she studied both English and history. When she graduated in 1983 she moved to Los Angeles, not to become an actor, but instead to become a casting director. A friend and fellow casting director, Gail Eisenstadt, persuaded keener into becoming an actress

Keener’s first role in a film was a one-liner in About Last Night in 1986, which starred Rob Lowe and Jim Belushi. Her next role was juicier in Johnny Suede in 1991, in which she co-stared with Brad Pitt. The two have remained close friends since, and are often spotted attending each other’s movie premieres. Her role in the film also won Keener a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award as the Best Female Lead in 1993.

While her acting career was slow to start, it has only gotten better with age. When Keener started out, she was accepting small roles in low-budget films. Today she is starring in blockbusters. Although she is not the typical mold of the Hollywood leading lady, Keener brings an authenticity to all of the films she involves herself in.

Catherine Keener married actor Dermot Mulroney in 1990, shortly before Johnny Suede was released. The couple has one son together, Clyde, who was born in 1999. Though a divorce has not been finalized yet, Mulroney and Keener separated in 2005.

Her next big role came in 1999 for her part in Being John Malkovich, which co-starred Cameron Diaz and John Cusack. The part won her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress as well as a Golden Globe nomination. Following her success in Being John Malkovich came a stream of box office bombs that included the Robin Williams film, Death to Smoochy in 2002. In 2005 she had roles in two successful films, Capote and Friends with Money, which co-starred Jennifer Aniston.

In 2005 Keener expanded her job description to include writer and director for the indie film, The Ballad of Jack and Rose. Her work on the film won her much acclaim and respect among her peers. She has two future projects that are scheduled for release in 2007. One will be Into the Wild, which will co-star Vince Vaughn. The other film is an adaptation of the popular children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are.

YUDDY