(1985-)

Who Is Anna Kendrick?

Anna Kendrick is an American actress who received a Tony nomination for her work in the Broadway musical High Society in 1998. After debuting on the silver screen in 2003's Camp, she found her way into the limelight via the 2008 teen blockbuster Twilight, before emerging as the star of another franchise with the debut of Pitch Perfect in 2012. Known mainly for her comedic roles, Kendrick has also starred in the films Up in the Air, Into the Woods and A Simple Favor.

Early Life

Anna Cooke Kendrick was born on August 9, 1985, in Portland, Maine. A promising young actress, she began her professional career before her teen years, nabbing a leading role in the 1998 Broadway revival of High Society that led to Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations.

Film & TV Career

'Camp,' 'Rocket Science'

Kendrick made her film debut in 2003's Camp, which follows the misadventures of a songwriter who works at a summer musical theater program for young people. In 2007's independent coming-of-age comedy Rocket Science, the actress played a popular girl and a skilled debater who lures a boy with a stutter to join the debate team. She also had a chance to showcase her vocal talents on television with an appearance on Viva Laughlin, a musical drama that only lasted a few episodes.

'Twilight' Franchise

With a supporting role in Twilight (2008), Kendrick became part of the international sensation surrounding the big-screen adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's teenage vampire novels. She played the friend of Bella (Kristen Stewart), a girl who falls for a vampire named Edward (Robert Pattinson). Reprising her role, Kendrick appeared in the sequels New Moon (2009), Eclipse (2010) and Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011).

'Up in the Air'

Graduating to more mature roles, Kendrick played Natalie, a young businesswoman, in 2009's Up in the Air (2009). The film follows a cross-country trek taken by Natalie and Ryan (played by George Clooney), a human resources professional who is hired by companies to fire unwanted employees. Ryan insists that his work requires face-to-face interaction while Natalie insists that the job can be done via video-conferencing over a computer. The two travel together so that Ryan can show Natalie the particulars of terminating employees. For her work on the film, Kendrick nabbed an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her co-star, Vera Farmiga, who plays Clooney's love interest, was also nominated in the same category.

'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' '50/50'

Kendrick next appeared in the 2010 fantasy-comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, with Michael Cera, and the comedy-drama 50/50, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen. During a busy 2012, she co-starred with Chace Crawford as a couple expecting their first child in the romantic comedy in What to Expect When You're Expecting, and had a supporting role in the thriller The Company You Keep, with Shia LaBeouf and Robert Redford.

'Pitch Perfect' and Sequels

Also in 2012, Kendrick enjoyed a surprise success with Pitch Perfect. The musical comedy had the actress starring as Beca Mitchell, a college freshman who leads the all-female a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, to the national championship. Along with producing one of the biggest box-office hits of her career, the film served as a showcase for Kendrick's voice; her version of "Cups (When I'm Gone)" cracked the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Kendrick and several co-stars, including Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Anna Camp, returned for Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) and Pitch Perfect 3 (2017).

'Into the Woods'

In 2014, Kendrick was prominently involved in another big-screen musical, playing Cinderella alongside Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep and James Corden in Into the Woods. That year she also appeared in the indie drama Cake, with Jennifer Aniston, and joined Ryan Reynolds for the horror-comedy The Voices.

'Trolls,' 'A Simple Favor'

After starring opposite Sam Rockwell in the action comedy Mr. Right (2015), the busy actress contributed to a slew of films in 2016, including The Accountant, The Hollars, Get a Job and the animated Trolls. The wedding comedy Table 19 (2017) failed to impress critics, but Kendrick enjoyed more success with her co-starring role opposite Blake Lively in Paul Feig's 2018 comedy-thriller A Simple Favor. The following year she starred in the FBI satire The Day Shall Come, before joining Bill Hader for the Christmas comedy Noelle.

'Dummy,' 'Love Life'

In addition to revisiting the voice role of Poppy for Trolls World Tour, Kendrick explored new projects with the introduction of two shows in 2020. In April, she began starring in the Quibi comedy Dummy, based on the real-life relationship between TV producers Cody Heller and Dan Harmon. The following month, she helped launch HBO Max with the anthology series Love Life, which follows the twists and turns of her character's romantic escapades.

Social Media, Book & Personal Life

Along with her impressive list of screen credits, Kendrick is known for her hilarious, candid comments on social media, garnering more than 7 million followers on Twitter.

The actress showcased her humor and opened up about her childhood, her anxieties and her struggles in Hollywood in her 2016 memoir, Scrappy Little Nobody.

Kendrick has been in a relationship with British cinematographer Ben Richardson since 2014

QUICK FACTS

Birth Year: 1985
Birth date: August 9, 1985
Birth State: Maine
Birth City: Portland
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Female
Best Known For: Tony-nominated actress Anna Kendrick is known for starring in the 'Pitch Perfect' movie franchise, as well as her roles in 'Up in the Air,' 'A Simple Favor' and 'Twilight.'
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