Catherine Keener Biography: Parents, Husband, Movie, Age, Children, Net Worth, Awards

Catherine Keener is a distinguished American actress renowned for her performances in both independent and mainstream films.

She earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Being John Malkovich (1999) and Capote (2005).

Keener’s career includes standout films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) and Get Out (2017), and she is set to appear in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024).

She has been known for her collaborations with directors Nicole Holofcener and Spike Jonze throughout her career.

Profile

• Full Name: Catherine Ann Keener
• Stage Name: Catherine Keener
• Born: March 26, 1959
• Age: 65 years old
• Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actress
• Height: 1.77 m
• Parents: Jim Keener ,Evelyn Keener
• Siblings: Elizabeth Keener
• Spouse: Dermot Mulroney (m. 1990–2007)
• Boyfriend: Benicio Del Toro (2008–2009)
• Children: Clyde Mulroney
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $8 million

Early Life And Education

Catherine Ann Keener was born on March 26, 1959, in Miami, Florida, to Evelyn Jamiel and James Keener, who owned an auto shop.

She has a sister, Elizabeth Keener, an actress and a real estate agent with Sotheby’s in Los Angeles. Keener attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Hialeah, Florida, where she first developed an interest in acting.

Keener continued her education at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, majoring in American Studies and later taking theatre courses.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983. Keener is of mixed ethnicity; her father is of Irish, English, German, and Scottish descent, while her mother is of Lebanese descent. She was raised Roman Catholic.

Career

Catherine Keener’s career began in the mid-1980s with minor roles, including a waitress in About Last Night (1986).

After a few years of struggle, she gained recognition in independent cinema with roles in Johnny Suede (1991) alongside Brad Pitt.

Her naturalistic acting style and ability to portray complex characters helped her stand out, particularly in Living in Oblivion (1995) and Walking and Talking (1996), bringing her critical acclaim.

Keener’s breakthrough came with her role in Being John Malkovich (1999), where she played Maxine Lund. The performance earned her her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

This role cemented her status as a leading actress in both independent and mainstream films, and she also appeared on Seinfeld as an artist in the episode “The Letter.”

Throughout the 2000s, Keener continued to impress in both film and theatre. She earned further Oscar recognition for her portrayal of Harper Lee in Capote (2005), which garnered her a second nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

She also starred in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Friends with Money (2006), and The Interpreter (2005), adding to her impressive body of work.

In the 2010s, Keener starred in notable films such as Get Out (2017), a commercially successful and critically acclaimed horror film.

She also appeared in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero (2015) and the Netflix series Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021). Keener’s diverse roles showcase her ability to bring depth to protagonist and antagonist characters.

Keener is known for her talent in portraying complex, often desolate, characters that evoke audience sympathy.

Her performances feature women who seem unfulfilled in their relationships or creative pursuits. Directors like Nicole Holofcener, Spike Jonze, and Steven Soderbergh have praised her versatility.

Keener herself embraces roles that challenge traditional notions of femininity, often playing disgruntled or angry characters with empathy and nuance.

Awards and Nominations

Catherine Keener has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career.

• Academy Awards: 2 nominations for Being John Malkovich (1999) and Capote (2005).
• Golden Globe Awards: 2 nominations for Being John Malkovich (2000) and An American Crime (2009).
• Primetime Emmy Award: 1 nomination for An American Crime (2008).
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: 6 nominations, including for Get Out (2018) and Capote (2006)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @catherinekeeners
• Facebook handle: Catherine Keener
• Twitter handle: @KeenerCatherine

Personal Life

Catherine Keener married actor Dermot Mulroney on November 17, 1990, and their divorce was finalized on December 19, 2007.

The couple has one son, Clyde Keener Mulroney, born on June 21, 1999. After her marriage, Keener was in a relationship with actor Benicio Del Toro from 2008 to 2009. As of now, she is reported to be single.

Filmography

• 1986: About Last Night
• 1999: Being John Malkovich
• 2005: Capote   
• 2005: The 40-Year-Old Virgin
• 2007: Into the Wild  
• 2017: Get Out
• 2024: Joker: Folie à Deux

Net Worth

Catherine Keener’s estimated net worth is $8 million.

She is widely recognized for her performances in acclaimed films such as Being John Malkovich and Capote, which earned her Academy Award nominations.

Additionally, she has appeared in popular movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Into the Wild, and Get Out, further solidifying her status in both independent and mainstream cinema.