Frances Ann O'Connor (born 12 June 1967) is an Australian actress and director. She appears in roles in the films Mansfield Park, Bedazzled, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Timeline. O'Connor won an AACTA Award for her performance in Blessed, and also earned two Golden Globe Award nominations for her performances in Madame Bovary and The Missing. In 2022, her debut feature as writer and director, Emily, was released.
Frances O'Connor | |
|---|---|
 O'Connor in Three Dollars, December 2004 | |
| Born | Frances Ann O'Connor[1] 12 June 1967[2] |
| Alma mater | Curtin University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, director, writer |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Notable work | Mansfield Park Bedazzled A.I. Artificial Intelligence The Importance of Being Earnest Timeline |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Blessed (2009) |
Early life
editO'Connor was born in Wantage, at the time part of Berkshire, England, to a pianist mother and nuclear physicist father;[citation needed] her family moved to Perth, Western Australia, when she was two years old.[3] She is the middle of five children, with one older brother, one older sister, and two younger sisters.[citation needed] O'Connor was raised Roman Catholic,[4] and attended the Mercedes College in Perth. She then went on to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from Curtin University in Western Australia.
Career
editO'Connor made her film debut in Emma-Kate Croghan's critically acclaimed independent romantic comedy Love and Other Catastrophes (1996).[5] She received her first AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role nomination for her performance in the film. In 1997, she had the leading role in Kiss or Kill,[6] and starred opposite Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh in Thank God He Met Lizzie.[5] In 1999, O'Connor starred as Fanny Price in the British romantic comedy-drama Mansfield Park. The film also received favourable reviews from critics.[7] The following year, O'Connor earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance as Emma Bovary in the film Madame Bovary.[8]
In 2000, O'Connor began her Hollywood career with a role in the remake with Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley of the 1967 British film Bedazzled.[9] The following year, she had a leading role in the Steven Spielberg science fiction drama A.I. Artificial Intelligence, earning her a nomination for a Saturn Award for Best Actress. In 2002, she starred alongside Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Judi Dench in the romantic comedy-drama The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Oliver Parker and based on Oscar Wilde's classic play. In 2003, O'Connor starred opposite Paul Walker in the science fiction film Timeline, which bombed at the box office.[10][11]
In 2004, O'Connor returned to independent films and starred in Book of Love opposite Simon Baker, and Iron Jawed Angels with Hilary Swank, Julia Ormond and Anjelica Huston. In 2008, she starred in the short-lived ABC comedy-drama series Cashmere Mafia alongside Lucy Liu, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville.[8] In 2009, she won an AACTA Award for Best Actress for her performance in Blessed. She later appeared in Jayne Mansfield's Car, Little Red Wagon and The Truth About Emanuel; and received two more AACTA Award for Best Actress nominations for Three Dollars (2005) and The Hunter (2011). In 2011, O'Connor was cast in the ABC drama pilot Hallelujah, created by Marc Cherry, but the show was not picked up to series.[12][13] From 2013 to 2014, she starred as Rose Selfridge in the British period drama Mr Selfridge.[14][15]
In 2014, O'Connor was cast as the lead in the British drama The Missing.[16] She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for her performance in the series.[17] She then appeared as Belle's mother Colette in the fourth season of the American series Once Upon a Time.[18] In 2016, O'Connor co-starred in the horror film The Conjuring 2, alongside Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson,[19] and in Cleverman, opposite Iain Glen.[20]
In 2022, O'Connor made her directorial debut with Emily, a biographical drama she also wrote, about the life of English writer Emily Brontë (portrayed by Emma Mackey).
Personal life
editO'Connor and her long-term partner, Gerald Lepkowski, had a son in 2005. The couple married in 2011 at O'Connor's mother's residence in Australia.[citation needed]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Bathing Boxes | 2nd Woman | Short film |
| 1996 | Love and Other Catastrophes | Mia | |
| 1997 | Kiss or Kill | Nikki Davies | |
| 1997 | Thank God He Met Lizzie | Jenny Follett | |
| 1998 | A Little Bit of Soul | Kate Haslett | |
| 1999 | A Margherita with Hot Salami | Diana | Short film |
| 1999 | Mansfield Park | Fanny Price | |
| 2000 | About Adam | Laura Owens | |
| 2000 | Bedazzled | Alison Gardner/Nicole Delarusso | |
| 2001 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Monica Swinton | |
| 2002 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Gwendolen Fairfax | |
| 2002 | Windtalkers | Rita Swelton | |
| 2003 | Timeline | Kate Ericson | |
| 2004 | Iron Jawed Angels | Lucy Burns | |
| 2004 | Book of Love | Elaine Walker | |
| 2005 | Three Dollars | Tanya Harnovey | |
| 2005 | The Lazarus Child | Alison Heywood | |
| 2005 | Piccadilly Jim | Ann Chester | |
| 2009 | Blessed | Rhonda | |
| 2011 | The Hunter | Lucy Armstrong | |
| 2012 | Jayne Mansfield's Car | Camilla Bedford | |
| 2012 | Best Man Down | Jaime Anderson | |
| 2012 | Little Red Wagon | Margaret Craig | |
| 2013 | The Truth About Emanuel | Janice | |
| 2014 | Mercy | Rebecca McCoy | |
| 2016 | The Conjuring 2 | Peggy Hodgson | |
| 2020 | Go! | Christie Hooper | |
| 2022 | Emily | — | Writer, director |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Law of the Land | Regular role: Marissa Green | TV series, 13 episodes | |
| 1994 | The Damnation of Harvey McHugh | Guest role: Georgina | ABC TV series, 1 episode: "Heaven Knows Mr. McHugh" | |
| 1995 | The Man from Snowy River | Recurring role: Rachel McAlister | TV series, season 2, 2 episodes | |
| 1995 | Halifax f.p. - The Feeding | Lead Guest role: Frances | TV film series, 1 episode 3: "The Feeding" | |
| 1996 | Blue Heelers | Recurring Guest role: Gabe Greenway | TV series, 3 episodes | |
| 1996 | G.P. | Guest role: Karen Papadopoulos | TV series, 1 episode: "Someone to Turn To" | |
| 1996 | Shark Bay | Regular role: Dr. Jane | TV series | |
| 1997 | Frontline | Guest role: Kristy | ABC TV series, 1 episode: "I Get the Big Names" | |
| 1997 | Thank God He Met Lizzie: Cast and Crew Interviews | Herself - Actress | Short Video | |
| 1997 | Thank God He Met Lizzie: B-Roll | Herself - Actress | Short Video | |
| 2000 | The Movie Show | Herself | SBS TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2000 | Madame Bovary | Emma Bovary | TV film | |
| 2000 | The Panel | Herself | TV series, 1 episode | |
| 2002 | Kiss Or Kill: Matt and Frances Talk About Working with Bill Bennett | Herself - Actress | Short Video documentary | |
| 2002 | Kiss Or Kill: Matt, Frances, Andy, Chris and Bill Describing 'Kiss Or Kill' | Herself - Actress (as Frances) | Short Video documentary | |
| 2002 | Kiss Or Kill: Behind the Scenes / the Making of 'Kiss Or Kill' | Herself - Actress | Short Video documentary | |
| 2002 | Acting A.I.: A Portrait of David | Herself | Short Video, US | |
| 2002 | The Hollywood Machine | Herself | TV series US, 1 episode | |
| 2002 | Dressing 'A.I.' | Herself | Short Video documentary, US | |
| 2004 | Journey Through 'Timeline' | Herself | Video documentary, US | |
| 2004 | The Textures of 'Timeline' | Herself | Video documentary | |
| 2008 | Cashmere Mafia | Regular role: Zoe Burden | TV series US, 7 episodes | |
| 2009 | Nova | Recurring role: Emma Darwin | TV documentary series US, 1 episode: "Darwin's Darkest Hour" | |
| 2011 | Ice | Lead role: Sarah Fitch | TV miniseries UK/NZ; 2 episodes | |
| 2011 | Hallelujah | Ruth Turner | Unsold pilot, US | |
| 2012 | The Making of 'The Hunter' | Herself (as Steven Kennedy) | Short Video documentary | |
| 2013 | Vegas | Guest role: Barbara Kent | TV series US, 1 episode: "From This Day Forward" | |
| 2013–2014 | Mr Selfridge | Regular role: Rose Selfridge | TV series UK, 20 episodes | |
| 2014 | Loose Women | Herself | TV series UK, 1 episode | |
| 2014 | The Missing | Regular role: Emily Hughes | TV miniseries US/UK/France/Belgium, 8 episodes | |
| 2014 | Once Upon a Time | Guest role: Colette | TV series US, 1 episode: "Family Business" | |
| 2015 | 72nd Golden Globe Awards | Herself - Nominee | TV special, US | |
| 2015 | FansTang Live from the Red Carpet | Herself | TV series US, 1 episode | |
| 2016 | Made in Hollywood | Herself | TV series US, 1 episode | |
| 2016 | Crafting The Conjuring 2 | Herself - 'Peggy Hodgson' | Short film Video documentary | |
| 2016 | Cleverman | Regular role: Charlotte Cleary | ABC TV series, 12 episodes | |
| 2017 | Locke & Key | Nina | unsold pilot | |
| 2018 | Troy: Fall of a City | Regular role: Hecuba | TV series UK/US/AUSTRALIA/South Africa, 7 episodes | |
| 2020 | The End | Lead regular role: Dr. Kate Brennan | TV series, 10 episodes | |
| 2023 | Erotic Stories | Annabel | SBS TV series, 1 episode: "Come As You Are" | [21] |
| 2024 | The Twelve | Meredith Nelson-Moore QC | TV series: 8 episodes | [22] |
| 2025 | Wednesday | TBA | Season 2; guest role |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | AACTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Love and Other Catastrophes | Nominated |
| 1997 | Kiss or Kill | Nominated | ||
| Film Critics Circle of Australia | Best Actress[citation needed] | Won | ||
| Montreal World Film Festival | Best Actress[citation needed] | Won | ||
| AACTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Thank God He Met Lizzie | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Satellite Awards | Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | Mansfield Park | Nominated |
| 2000 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film | Madame Bovary | Nominated |
| 2001 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Nominated |
| American Film Institute | Featured Actor of the Year – Female – Movies | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | Empire Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | |
| 2005 | AACTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Three Dollars | Nominated |
| 2009 | Blessed | Won | ||
| Film Critics Circle of Australia | Best Actress[citation needed] | Won | ||
| 2011 | Film Critics Circle of Australia | Best Actress[citation needed] | The Hunter | Won |
| AACTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Ashland Independent Film Festival | Best Acting Ensemble[citation needed] | The Truth About Emanuel | Won |
| 2014 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film | The Missing | Nominated |
| Golden Nymph Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries[citation needed] | Won |
References
edit- ^ Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005.; at Ancestry.com
- ^ "Today in History". ABC News. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "The earnest gypsy". The Age. 17 June 2002. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
- ^ "O'Connor Frances: Bedazzled". Urban Cinefile. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
- ^ a b "Frances O'Connor; Movies and Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ "Kiss or Kill". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ "Mansfield Park". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Frances O'Connor Biography". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Ojumu, Akin (2 April 2000). "Australia's latest export, Frances O'Connor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Timeline (2003)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ "Timeline (2003) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. 26 November 2003. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (25 February 2011). "Several Actors Join Broadcast Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Frances O'Connor boards ABC pilot". Digital Spy. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Lazarus, Suzanna (2 January 2013). "Meet the cast of Mr Selfridge". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Playing the Mrs. to 'Mr. Selfridge'". Usnews.com. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (6 March 2014). "James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor to star in BBC One's The Missing". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Golden Globe Awards Nominations: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "'Once Upon a Time' casts Frances O'Connor as Belle's mom". Entertainment Weekly. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ Kit, Borys (15 September 2015). "Frances O'Connor Joins 'The Conjuring 2' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Friedlander, Whitney (3 September 2015). "Iain Glen, Frances O'Connor's 'Cleverman' Series to Air on SundanceTV". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (27 April 2023). "Production begins on Erotic Stories for SBS | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (31 August 2023). "Production underway on The Twelve S2 | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
External links
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