Zoe Swicord Kazan(/kəˈzæn/;[2]born September 9, 1983)[3][4]is an American actress and writer. She made her acting debut in the filmSwordswallowers and Thin Men(2003) and later acted in films such asThe Savages(2007),Revolutionary Road(2008), andIt's Complicated(2009). She starred inHappythankyoumoreplease(2010),Meek's Cutoff(2010),Ruby Sparks(2012),What If(2013),The Big Sick(2017),The Ballad of Buster Scruggs(2018), andShe Said(2022). She also wroteRuby Sparksand co-wroteWildlife(2018) with her partnerPaul Dano.
Zoe Kazan | |
|---|---|
 Kazan in 2017 | |
| Born | Zoe Swicord Kazan[1] September 9, 1983 |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, screenwriter, playwright |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Partner | Paul Dano(2007–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | |
| Relatives |
|
Kazan made herBroadwaydebut in the revival of theWilliam IngeplayCome Back, Little Sheba(2008). She has since acted in theAnton Chekovrevival ofThe Seagull(2008),Martin McDonagh'sA Behanding in Spokane(2010), and the revival ofJohn Patrick Shanley'sDoubt: A Parable(2024). Also a playwright, she wroteAbsalom(2008),We Live Here(2011),Trudy and Max in Love(2014), andAfter the Blast(2017).
On television, she acted in theHBOminiseriesOlive Kitteridge(2014), for which she was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.Her other television roles include in the HBO comedy seriesBored to Death(2010), the HBO drama seriesThe Deuce(2017–2019), the HBO miniseriesThe Plot Against America(2020), and theNetflixminiseriesClickbait(2021).
Early life and education
editKazan was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of screenwritersNicholas KazanandRobin Swicord.Her paternal grandparents were film and theatre directorElia Kazanand playwrightMolly Kazan(née Thacher).[5]Elia was anAnatolian Greekemigrant from Istanbul, and Molly was aMayflowerdescendant.[6]The family surname was originally Kazantzoglou (Greek:Καζαντζόγλου).
Kazan was educated at the privateWildwood School,Windward School,and at theMarlborough Schoolin Hancock Park, Los Angeles. She attendedYale University,where she was a member of theManuscript Society,and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre.[7]
Career
edit2003–2009: Early work and Broadway debut
edit
After her film debut in 2003 as Samantha inSwordswallowers and Thin Men,Kazan had her first professional stage role in the 2006off-Broadwayrevival ofThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,starringCynthia Nixon.In 2007, she had a small role inThe Savages,starringLaura LinneyandPhilip Seymour Hoffman,and guest-appeared in an episode ofMedium.She next appeared in the filmsFractureandIn the Valley of Elah.That fall, she returned to the stage in aThe New Groupproduction of100 Saints You Should Knowfor which she received aDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Playnomination.[8]That same year she acted inJonathan Marc Sherman'sThings We WantalongsidePaul DanoandPeter Dinklagedirected byEthan Hawke.[9]
In January 2008, Kazan made her Broadway debut oppositeS. Epatha MerkersonandKevin Andersonin a revival ofWilliam Inge'sCome Back, Little Sheba.[10]Ben BrantleyofThe New York Timescalled her performance "first-rate", adding, "Ms. Kazan is terrific in conveying the character's self-consciousness."[11]In the fall, she appeared on stage as Masha in a Broadway revival ofAnton Chekhov'sThe Seagull(2008) oppositeKristin Scott Thomas,Carey Mulligan,andPeter Sarsgaard.[12]That year she also had roles as Gal Employee in the dramaAugustwithJosh Hartnett,Gretta Adler in the period dramaMe and Orson WelleswithZac Efronand Maureen Grube in the romantic dramaRevolutionary RoadstarringKate WinsletandLeonardo DiCaprio.[13]
Kazan is also a playwright. In 2009, her playAbsalompremiered at theHumana Festival of New American PlaysinLouisville, Kentucky.The play, about a father's tense relationships with his children, had been extensively read and workshopped since Kazan's junior year at Yale.[14]She ended the year playingMeryl Streep's daughter in theNancy Meyersromantic comedyIt's Complicatedalso starringSteve MartinandAlec Baldwin.She returned to Broadway acting in a production ofMartin McDonagh's playA Behanding in SpokanewithChristopher WalkenandSam Rockwelluntil June 6, 2010. She also had lead roles in the moviesI Hate Valentine's DayandThe Exploding Girl,both in 2009.[citation needed]
2010–2016: Breakthrough and leading roles
edit
In 2010, she had a main role in the comedy-dramaHappy. Thank You. More. Please.as Mary Catherine, the cousin ofJosh Radnor's character. She also starred as Millie Gately inKelly Reichardt's independent Western dramaMeek's Cutoff(2010) acting alongsideMichelle WilliamsandPaul Dano.In the fall, Kazan played Harper Pitt inSignature Theatre Company's 20th-anniversary production ofTony Kushner'sAngels in America.[15]On the small screen, she appeared in four episodes ofHBO'sBored to Deathas Nina, the love interest of a fictionalizedJonathan Ames,played byJason Schwartzman.Her playWe Live Here,about a dysfunctional family, received its world premiere production from October 12 to November 6, 2011, at the off-BroadwayManhattan Theater Clubin New York City.[16]Among the ensemble cast wasAmy Irving,and the director was 2010Obie AwardwinnerSam Gold.[citation needed]
Kazan's starred in the title role ofRuby Sparks(2012), a comedy-romance film directed byJonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris,and starring Kazan, Paul Dano,Chris Messina,Antonio Banderas,Annette Bening,Deborah Ann WollandSteve Coogan.Kazan wrote the film and served as its executive producer.[17][18]Eric Kohn ofIndieWirepraised the film declaring it a "startlingly insightful and whimsical romance".[19]She received a nomination for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay.[20]The following year she starred in the romantic comedyWhat Ifdirected byMichael Dowsestarring oppositeDaniel Radcliffe.The film premiered at the2013 Toronto International Film Festivalunder the title,The F Word.The Hollywood Reporterwrote of their pairing, "Kazan and Radcliffe don’t have physical chemistry so much as an innocent, cheerful alignment of personalities".[21]
In 2014, her third play,Trudy and Max in Love,opened at theSouth Coast Repertory.[22]Also in 2014, she starred in theHBOminiseriesOlive Kitteridgeacting alongsideFrances McDormand,Richard Jenkins,andBill Murray.The role earned her a nomination for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.In 2016, she received critical praise for her performance in theA24horror filmThe Monsterwhich was directed byBryan Bertino.[23]
2017–present: Career expansion
editIn 2017, Kazan co-starred in independent romance drama filmThe Big SickwithKumail Nanjiani,Holly Hunter,andRay Romano.The film premiered at theSundance Film Festivalto positive reviews.[24]The film went on to receive anAcademy Award for Best Original Screenplaynomination.[25]In 2018 she co-wrote the filmWildlifewith her partner Paul Dano, who also directed. The film is based on theRichard Ford's1990 novel of the same name.The film starredCarey MulliganandJake Gyllenhaal.That same year Kazan starred inJoel and Ethan Coen's Western anthology film,The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,in the vignette "The Gal Who Got Rattled".[citation needed]Many critics considered her performance one of the film's highlights.[citation needed]
In 2020, Kazan starred in the limited seriesThe Plot Against Americaas Elizabeth "Bess" Levin, a version of the mother of authorPhilip Roth,on whose book the show was based. It debuted on HBO, and also featuredWinona Ryder,Anthony Boyle,andJohn Turturro.[6]Kazan starred inClickbait,a limited series forNetflix.[26]The following year she starred in the drama filmShe Saidportraying journalistJodi Kantoracting oppositeCarey MulliganasMegan Twohey.[27]In 2024 she returned to Broadway acting in the revival of theJohn Patrick ShanleydramaDoubt: A Parableacting oppositeAmy RyanandLiev Schreiber.In the play Kazan portrays an innocent nun Sister James who suspects a priest of misconduct. Dalton Ross ofEntertainment Weeklywrote of her performance, "Kazan deftly manages to convey Sister James' struggle between innocent naivety and the loss of inner light that comes with considering ugly possible truths".[28]
Personal life
editKazan has been in a relationship with actorPaul Danosince 2007.[29][30]They have two children: a daughter born in August 2018[31]and a son born in October 2022.[32]
Acting credits
editFilm
edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Swordswallowers and Thin Men | Samantha | |
| 2007 | The Savages | Student | |
| Fracture | Mona | ||
| In the Valley of Elah | Angie | ||
| 2008 | August | Gal Employee | |
| Me and Orson Welles | Gretta Adler | ||
| Revolutionary Road | Maureen Grube | ||
| 2009 | The Exploding Girl | Ivy | |
| The Private Lives of Pippa Lee | Grace Lee | ||
| I Hate Valentine's Day | Tammy Greenwood | ||
| It's Complicated | Gabby Adler | ||
| 2010 | Happythankyoumoreplease | Mary Catherine | |
| Meek's Cutoff | Millie Gately | ||
| 2012 | Ruby Sparks | Ruby | Also writer and executive producer |
| 2013 | Some Girl(s) | Reggie | |
| The Pretty One | Laurel/Audrey | ||
| The F Word(a.k.a.What If?) | Chantry | ||
| 2014 | In Your Eyes | Rebecca Porter | |
| 2015 | Our Brand Is Crisis | LeBlanc | |
| 2016 | My Blind Brother | Francie | |
| The Monster | Kathy | ||
| 2017 | The Big Sick | Emily Gardner | |
| 2018 | Wildlife | — | Co-writer and executive producer |
| The Ballad of Buster Scruggs | Alice Longabaugh | Segment: "The Gal Who Got Rattled" | |
| 2019 | The Kindness of Strangers | Clara | |
| 2021 | Cryptozoo | Magdalene | Voice |
| 2022 | She Said | Jodi Kantor |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Medium | Izzy | Episode: "The Boy Next Door" |
| 2008 | Speechless | Stood Up Girl #2 | Documentary |
| After Iraq | Herself | Documentary | |
| 2010 | Bored to Death | Nina | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | Showing Up | Herself | Documentary |
| 2014 | Olive Kitteridge | Denise Thibodeau | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | The Walker | Dotty | 8 episodes |
| 2017–19 | The Deuce | Andrea Martino | 8 episodes |
| 2020 | The Plot Against America | Elizabeth Levin | 6 episodes |
| 2021 | Clickbait | Pia Brewer | 8 episodes |
| 2022 | The Last Movie Stars | Jackie Witte (voice) | 6 episodes |
Theatre
editAwards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | The Seagull | Nominated | [46] |
| 2009 | 100 Saints You Should Know | Nominated | [47] | ||
| National Board of Review | Best Cast | It's Complicated | Won | [48] | |
| 2012 | Detroit Film Critics Society | Breakthrough Performance | Ruby Sparks | Won | |
| Saturn Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | |||
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Screenplay | Nominated | [49] | ||
| 2015 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie | Olive Kitteridge | Nominated | [50] |
| Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | Critics' Choice Movie Awards | Best Actress in a Comedy | The Big Sick | Nominated | [51] |
| Screen Actors Guild | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | [52] |
References
edit- ^Fisher, James (July 15, 2021).Historical Dictionary of Contemporary American Theater.Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN9781538123027.
- ^Dictionary.com – Kazan
- ^Hernandez, Ernio (March 9, 2010)."CUE & A: Zoe Kazan".Playbill.RetrievedNovember 3,2021.
- ^"30 Under 30 – Zoe Kazan".BroadwaySpace.com. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 13,2011.
Age: 47 (09/09/83)
- ^Stromboulopoulos, George (November 16, 2022)."Zoe Kazan on growing up in a family of artists".
- ^abGross, Terry (April 20, 2020)."For Zoe Kazan, 'Plot Against America' Is 'Scarily Prescient' And Personal".NPR.Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2020.RetrievedNovember 3,2021.
- ^Cammila Collar (2014)."Zoe Kazan Biography".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
- ^"Zoe Kazan".Playbill.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Things We Want, Directed by Ethan Hawke, Debuts Off-Broadway Oct. 22".Playbill.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Come Back, Little Sheba (Broadway, 2008)".Playbill.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^abBrantley, Ben (January 25, 2008)."Theater Review: 'Come Back, Little Sheba'".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^"The Seagull".Internet Broadway Database.RetrievedSeptember 29,2008.
- ^"Zoe Kazan".IMDB.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^Jones, Kenneth (November 13, 2008)."Zoe Kazan, Charles L. Mee, Naomi Wallace Are Among 2009 Humana Fest Writers".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 31,2009.
- ^"Announcing the Cast of 'Angels in America'".Signature Theatre Company. 2010.
- ^"We Live Here".Manhattan Theatre Club. 2011. Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2013.RetrievedAugust 17,2012.
- ^"Ruby Sparks - Movie Trailers - iTunes".iTunes Store.RetrievedApril 21,2012.
- ^Stephen Holden (July 24, 2012)."She's Everything He Wants, and Therein Lies the Problem 'Ruby Sparks,' Written by and Starring Zoe Kazan".The New York Times.
- ^"REVIEW: Thanks to Zoe Kazan, 'Ruby Sparks' Is Not Your Average Whimsical Romance".IndieWire.July 23, 2012.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Film Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Full List of Nominees".ABC News.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"What If: Toronto Review".The Hollywood Reporter.September 9, 2013.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^abMcNulty, Charles (January 13, 2014)."Review: 'Trudy and Max in Love's' amorous, adulterous journey".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^"Film Review: Monster".Variety.November 11, 2016.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"The Big Sick".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Oscar Nominations 2018: The Complete List".Variety.January 23, 2018.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^Petski, Denise (December 2, 2019)."'Clickbait': Zoe Kazan, Betty Gabriel, Adrian Grenier & Phoenix Raei Join Netflix Thriller Limited Series ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJune 16,2020.
- ^Kroll, Justin (June 7, 2021)."Carey Mulligan And Zoe Kazan To Portray The Real Life New York Times Reporters Who Broke The Harvey Weinstein Sex Scandal Story In Plan B And Annapurna Drama For Universal".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 3,2021.
- ^"Doubt: A Parable review: Amy Ryan and Liev Schreiber are electric on Broadway".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^Petrusich, Amanda (July 20, 2012)."Actual Couples Explore a Fantasy, the Aesthetic Sort".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Bunbury, Stephanie (June 4, 2015)."Love and Mercy's Paul Dano relates to Brian Wilson's tortured genius".The Sydney Morning Herald.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Juneau, Jen (October 25, 2018)."Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan Welcome a Daughter".People.RetrievedNovember 3,2021.
- ^Andaloro, Angela (November 14, 2022)."Zoe Kazan Reveals She Quietly Welcomed Her Second Baby Three Weeks Ago".People.
- ^Brantley, Ben (October 10, 2006)."A Teacher Still Warping Young Minds, but Gently".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Stasio, Marilyn (September 18, 2007)."Review: '100 Saints You Should Know'".Variety.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Brantley, Ben (November 8, 2007)."A Boys' Guide to Narcotizing the Pain".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Blank, Matthew (August 18, 2008)."Marquee value:The Seagullat the Walter Kerr Theatre ".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^"'Absalom' an intriguing, complex debut for Kazan ".The Courier-Journal.March 14, 2009.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.[dead link]
- ^Als, Hilton (March 15, 2010)."The Theatre: Underhanded".The New Yorker.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Dziemianowicz, Joe (October 29, 2010)."'Angels in America' review: Zachary Quinto flies high in perfect revival of Tony Kushner play ".Daily News.New York.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Isherwood, Charles (October 12, 2011)."Theatre Review We Live Here".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^"Clive: Theater Review".The Hollywood Reporter.February 2, 2013.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Dziemianowicz, Joe (June 17, 2014)."'When We Were Young and Unafraid,' theater review ".Daily News.New York.RetrievedJuly 3,2015.
- ^Vine, Hannah (October 4, 2016)."'Take a Look at Roundabout's Love, Love Love,'".Playbill.RetrievedOctober 6,2016.
- ^Clement, Olivia (October 23, 2017)."Zoe Kazan's After the Blast Opens Off-Broadway".Playbill.RetrievedNovember 16,2017.
- ^"Highlights from Roundabout Theater Comopanys Broadway Revival of Doubt".Playbill.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards".TheaterMania.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"The 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards Winners".New York Theater Guide.October 19, 2017.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"2009 Award Winners".National Board of Review.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Winners List".The Hollywood Reporter.February 23, 2013.RetrievedMarch 14,2024.
- ^"Nominees / Winners 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards".Emmy Awards.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"Critics Choice Award Nominations List Full".The Hollywood Reporter.December 6, 2017.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
- ^"The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards".Sagawards.org.RetrievedMarch 9,2024.
External links
edit
Media related toZoe Kazanat Wikimedia Commons
