Gretchen Mol

Most known for films such as Rounders, The Shape of Things, and 3:10 to Yuma, American actress Gretchen Mol has proved over the past decade she is not only a pretty face, but she is also a versatile actress.

Gretchen Mol was born November 8, 1972 in Deep River, Connecticut. Her mother is an artist and teacher, while her father is the principal of a school. Getting her start in high school musicals and plays, Mol starred opposite future actor Peter Lockyer in several of these school productions. She continued her education at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she ultimately graduated from the William Esper Studio.

Taking odd jobs to pay the bills, Mol worked both as an usher and a hat check girl. While working this second job, Mol was spotted by a talent agent who set up her first paying gig. Acting in a Coca Cola commercial, Mol officially had her foot in the entertainment door.

Establishing her career onstage first, Mol earned her onscreen debut in 1996 with the Spike Lee directed Girl 6. She earned her first credited role in the same year with the television mini Dead Man’s Walk with Keith Carradine, Brian Dennehy, David Arquette, and Jennifer Garner. She continued to earn small roles such as her part in Donnie Brasco opposite Al Pacino and Johnny Depp as well as Too Tired to Die with Mira Sorvino.

Her breakout role, however, came in 1998 with the Matt Damon and Edward Norton drama Rounders. Mol was a pivotal supporting character along with John Turturro, Famke Janssen, and John Malkovich. She earned another important role for her career when she was cast in the new Woody Allen film Celebrity. The film included a laundry list of stars from Melanie Griffith, Kenneth Branagh, and Winona Ryder to Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Adrian Grenier.

She continued her successful streak with Tim Robbins’ directorial project Cradle Will Rock with Hank Azaria, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, Cary Elwes, Bill Murray, Susan Sarandon, and many other Hollywood players. She also impressed Allen enough to earn a spot in his next film, Sweet and Low Down, with leads Sean Penn, Samantha Morton, and Uma Thurman.

Although she never stopped finding work, her status as the “it girl” of the 90s began to fade. It wasn’t until 2003 that she landed another substantial role that earned her wide attention. Reprising a role she performed on stage, Mol costarred with Paul Rudd and Rachel Weisz in the intense drama The Shape of Things. She also gained recognition for her lead role in The Notorious Bettie Page with supporting cast Chris Bauer and Lili Taylor.

Seeming to have rekindled her previously faltering career, Mol landed roles in Puccini for Beginners in 2006 and The Ten in 2007.

Her most recent film, 3:10 to Yuma, has proved to be her most high profile role in several years. Playing the wife of Christian Bale, she also costarred with Russell Crowe, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda, and Alan Tudyk.

She is currently in post production for Boy of Pigs with Perrey Reeves, Noah Wyle, and newcomer Sam Navarro.

In her personal life, Mol married longtime boyfriend and director Tod Williams (sometimes known as Kip Williams) on June 1, 2004. They welcomed their first child, a son, in September of 2007.