Leslie Mann

Actress of film and television Leslie Mann is most known for her work in the comedic works Big Daddy, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up. She is also noted for her marriage to noted director Judd Apatow.

Leslie Mann was born March 26, 1972 in San Francisco, California. Knowing she wanted to be in entertainment, Mann made her onscreen debut with various commercials when she was seventeen years old. Her first film role came with Virgin High, a little seen but widely panned comedy.

After this flop, she began earning parts in better received films such as Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket with Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson. Playing the sorority girl, Mann’s role was not credited.

It wasn’t until 1996, therefore, that Mann would earn her first commercial role. Costarring with Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, Jack Black, and George Segal in the Ben Stiller directed film The Cable Guy, Mann was well on her way to beginning a successful career.

In the same year, she took a part with Edward Burns, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, and John Mahoney in the romantic comedy She’s the One. Breaking out of her comedic trend, Mann also took a bit part in Last Man Standing with Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern, and Christopher Walken.

She received her largest exposure to date with a lead in George of the Jungle in 1997. Her costars included Brendan Fraser as the lovable George and Thomas Haden Church filling the role of villain. Her success continued with the 1999 romantic comedy Big Daddy. Stealing every scene, she was an integral part of the cast, which included Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, and Steve Buscemi.

After a brief foray into independent films such as Timecode, she returned to her commercial comedies, taking a bit part in Orange County with Colin Hanks as lead. She also took a more substantial role in the Jason Lee and Tom Green comedy Stealing Harvard.

Despite moderate fame, Mann’s career really took off with two back to back comedies. The first was Steve Carell’s breakout film The 40 Year Old Virgin in 2005. Her next successful role came with Knocked Up starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, and Paul Rudd.

She is currently in post production for the film Drillbit Taylor, and she is in pre production for Seventeen. They are due for a 2008 and 2009 release, respectively.

In her personal life, Mann met her future husband, director Judd Apatow, on the set of The Cable Guy in 1996. They were married by June 9, 1997. They are still together, and they have two daughters.