Annette Bening is an American Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress. She is the daughter of Arnett Grant Bening and Shirley Bening. She attended San Diego Mesa College, then completed an academic degree in theatre arts at San Francisco State University. Bening joined the acting company at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco During this time she established herself as a formidable acting talent in roles like Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth.

Bening was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Coastal Disturbances, and won a Clarence Derwent Award for Outstanding Debut Performance. Her debut was the made-for-TV movie Manhunt for Claude Dallas (1986). Her first major role in a theatrical feature was in The Great Outdoors (1988) playing 'Kate Craig' opposite Dan Aykroyd and John Candy. Her next role was as the Marquise de Merteuil in Valmont (1989) opposite Colin Firth. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for The Grifters.

She has had two husbands, choreographer J. Steven White (married 1984 - divorced 1991) and Beatty (married 1992 - present). She and Beatty have four children.

Birth Name: Annette Bening
Date of Birth: May 29, 1958
Place of Birth: Topeka, Kansas

Filmography

• The Women (2008)
• Dirty Tricks (2008)
• A Woman of No Importance (2007)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 2006)
• Running with Scissors (2006)
• Mrs. Harris (2005) (TV)
• Being Julia (2004)
• Open Range (2003)
• "Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776" (2002) TV Series
• What Planet Are You From? (2000)
• American Beauty (1999)
• In Dreams (1999)
• The Siege (1998/I)
• Mars Attacks! (1996)
• The American President (1995)
• Richard III (1995)
• Love Affair (1994)
• Bugsy (1991)
• Regarding Henry (1991)
• Guilty by Suspicion (1991)
• The Grifters (1990)
• Postcards from the Edge (1990)
• Valmont (1989)
• The Great Outdoors (1988)
• Hostage (1988) (TV)
• "Wiseguy" (1 episode, 1987)
• "Miami Vice" (1 episode, 1987)
• Manhunt for Claude Dallas (1986) (TV)

Awards

• Golden Globe Award Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) "Being Julia" 2005
• National Board of Review Best Actress "Being Julia" 2004
• American Comedy Award Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture "American Beauty" 2000
• BAFTA Award Best Actress "American Beauty" 2000
• London Film Critics Circle Award Actress of the Year "American Beauty" 2000
• ShoWest Female Star of the Year 2000
• Online Film Critics Society Award Best Ensemble "American Beauty" 1999
• The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Theatrical Motion Picture "American Beauty" 1999
• The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture "American Beauty" 1999
• London Film Critics Circle Award Newcomer of the Year "The Grifters" 1991
• National Society of Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "The Grifters" 1990
• Clarence Derwent Award Most Outstanding Debut Performance "Coastal Disturbances" 1986
• Theatre World Award "Caostal Disturbances" 1986