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Jessica Chastain

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BIO

Jessica Michelle Chastain (born March 24, 1977) is an American actress and producer. Known for primarily starring in projects with feminist themes, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.



Chastain developed an interest in acting from an early age and made her professional stage debut in 1998 as Shakespeare's Juliet. After studying acting at the Juilliard School, she was signed to a talent holding deal with the television producer John Wells. She was a recurring guest star in several television series, and took on roles in several stage productions. After making her film debut at age 31 in the drama Jolene (2008), Chastain had her breakthrough in 2011 with six film releases, including the dramas Take Shelter (2011) and The Tree of Life (2011). She received Academy Award nominations for playing an aspiring socialite in the period drama The Help (2011) and a CIA analyst in the thriller Zero Dark Thirty (2012).

Greater commercial success came with the science fiction films Interstellar (2014) and The Martian (2015), and the horror film It Chapter Two (2019). Chastain received further acclaim for playing strong-willed women in the dramas A Most Violent Year (2014), Miss Sloane (2016), and Molly's Game (2017), and the television miniseries Scenes from a Marriage (2021). She went on to portray Tammy Faye Bakker in the biopic The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021), winning the Academy Award for Best Actress, and Tammy Wynette in the miniseries George & Tammy (2022).

On Broadway, Chastain has starred in revivals of The Heiress (2012) and A Doll's House (2023). The latter earned her a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She is the founder of the production company Freckle Films, which was created to promote diversity in film, and is an investor in the soccer club Angel City FC. Chastain is vocal about mental health issues, as well as gender and racial equality. She is married to fashion executive Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, and they have two children.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
New Broadway Production, 2023
Nora Helmer

[West End]
West End Revival, 2020
Nora

[Broadway]
2012
Catherine Sloper

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Lee


Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Jessica Chastain, A Doll's House

Videos

News


Rachel Brosnahan, Joaquina Kalukango & Greg Nobile to be Honored at NYTW's 2025 Gala

New York Theatre Workshop's 2025 Gala will honor Emmy Award winner Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango, and Tony Award-winning theater and film producer Greg Nobile. Learn more and see how to attend.
Colman Domingo, Angelina Jolie, & More Win Awards at The Gothams

The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced the winners of the 34th edition of The Gothams at a ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
OH, MARY! Recoups its Investment on Broadway

Oh, Mary!, the Sam Pinkleton-directed comedy written by and starring Cole Escola, has recouped its entire production costs on Broadway, becoming the first show of the 2024-2025 Broadway season to announce its recoupment.
Video: Conrad Ricamora Shares Pre-Show Ritual with OH, MARY Co-Star Cole Escola

Like everybody in the audience, Conrad Ricamora is having a blast with Oh, Mary! The performer, who plays President Abraham Lincoln in Cole Escola's hit comedy, visited The Tonight Show on Wednesday and shared some of the backstage—and onstage—antics between him and his co-stars.
Videos You Missed This Week: TEETH, SWEPT AWAY, and More

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! Fall 2024 is here at last, which means that a whole new bunch of Broadway and off-Broadway shows are opening soon. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending November 1, 2024 with videos from Teeth, Swept Away, and more!
Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, & Bryan Cranston Join David Mamet-Penned Film ASSASSINATION

Tony Award nominee Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Tony-award-winner Bryan Cranston are all set to star in Assassination, the mystery thriller film from director Barry Levinson and playwright David Mamet and Sam Bromell.
Video Exclusive: Micaela Diamond, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jessica Chastain, & More Reveal High School Roles

Stars Micaela Diamond, Jessica Chastain, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matthew Morrison, and more reveal their high school roles in the video here!
Photos: TEETH Welcomes Original Film Star Jess Weixler and Jessica Chastain

Jess Weixler and Jessica Chastain recently stopped by the new off-Broadway production of Teeth. Weixler starred as Dawn O'Keefe in the original 2007 film, Teeth, on which the musical is based. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the moment as they met with the cast backstage. Check out the photos here!
Photos: SUNSET BLVD Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway

Jamie Lloyd’s new Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Blvd, starring Nicole Scherzinger as ‘Norma Desmond' officially opened on Sunday, October 20 at the St. James Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos of all of the stars arriving at opening night here!
Recap the Works of Jamie Lloyd

​ In just over a week, one of the most-anticipated shows of the season officially opens on Broadway. Sunset Boulevard is back, straight from its acclaimed run in London, and this time, Tony-nomintaed and Olivier-winning director Jamie Lloyd is at the helm. Check out the director's extenisve list of London and New York credits here or recap on some highlights below! In 2008, Lloyd was made the associate director of the Donmar Warehouse. His 2008 production of Piaf transferred to the West End and to Buenos Aires. In 2008 he directed The Pride at the Royal Court, for which he won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. His 2010 production of Passion won the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. Elena Roger sings from Passion at the 2010 Olivier Awards: In 2013, the Ambassador Theatre Group launched The Jamie Lloyd Company. As the  artistic director at Trafalgar Studios in 2013, Lloyd featured three productions: a revival of The Pride, The Hothouse starring Simon Russell Beale and John Simm, and Macbeth, starring James McAvoy and Claire Foy, which received an Olivier nomination for Best Revival.  A second Trafalgar Transformed season opened in July 2014 with Richard III starring Martin Freeman, East is East, and The Ruling Class, again starring James McAvoy. In the same year, Lloyd directed Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, starring Catherine Tate, Aaron Tveit, and Jamie Parker. Starry productions in the following years included The Homecoming starring Gemma Chan and John Simm; The Maids , starring Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton, and Laura Carmichael; and Doctor Faustus starring Kit Harington. Lloyd's 2019 production of Evita, which played the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, earned two Olivier nominations and was lead by Samantha Pauly. Soon after, he brought Harold Pinter's Betrayal to Broadway, starring Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton and Carlie Cox. The production marked his first Tony nomination. Hightlights from Evita:  Ad for Betrayal on Broadway: In 2019, Lloyd revealed plans to direct and produce a series of three plays at the Playhouse Theatre in collaboration with The Jamie Lloyd Company. The lineup included a new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac featuring James McAvoy; a version of The Seagull starring Emilia Clarke, adapted by Anya Reiss; and A Doll's House with Jessica Chastain in the lead role. The latter opened on Broadway in 2023 (second Tony nomination). Cyrano de Bergerac would go on to play BAM in 2022. Highlights from The Seagull: Highlights from Cyrano de Bergerac:  Highlights from A Doll's House: Lloyd returned to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with his revival of Sunset Boulevard in late 2023. The musical, starring Nicole Scherzinger, won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Lloyd won for Best Director. Earlier this year, Lloyd returned to the West End to direct Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, which played a limited engagement in 2024.  Lloyd and Scherzinger talk Sunset Boulevard: Sunset Boulevard will open on October 20, 2024 at the St. James Theatre. ​
Interview: Theatre Life With Alex Brightman

Today’s subject Alex Brightman is currently living his theatre life onstage at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in Comedy of Errors in the role of Dromio of Syracuse. The show plays through October 20th in STC’S Klein Theatre.
OH, MARY! Extends Through January 2025

Following five record-breaking weeks at the Lyceum Theatre, the producers of Oh, Mary! announced that Cole Escola's hit comedy has extended through January 19, 2025.
Meet the Cast of YELLOW FACE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Next up from Roundabout Theatre Company is the new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang directed by Leigh Silverman. Previews will begin tonight, September 13, at the Todd Haimes Theatre, ahead of opening night on October 1. Meet the cast of Yellow Face here!
Amy Herzog's Adaptation of Ibsen's AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Acquired By Concord Theatricals For Licensing

Concord Theatricals has secured exclusive worldwide English language stage licensing rights to Amy Herzog's 2024 Tony Award-nominated adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People for its Samuel French imprint.
Angelina Jolie to be Honoured with the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media

Angelina Jolie will receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media. The award recognizes leadership in creating a union between social impact and cinema. Past honourees include Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh, and Brendan Fraser.
The Jamie Lloyd Company Opening Film Division

Theater director Jamie Lloyd will be making a foray into filmmaking. As part of his Jamie Lloyd Company, the director 'will set up a separate film division and work with new partners from the film world.' This news follows his company's recent split from Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) earlier this year.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte Will Make West End Debuts in BARCELONA</font></font>

Lily Collins (Emily in Paris, Mank, To The Bone) and Álvaro Morte (Money Heist, Wheel of Time, Immaculate) will swap the big screen for the West End in the UK premiere of Bess Wohl’s play Barcelona.
Ariana DeBose, Rachel Brosnahan, & More Join Cast of Shakespeare Film LEAR REX

A plethora of new names have joined the upcoming film adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, including a number that will be familiar to Broadway audiences, such as Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose and Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan. 
Kevin Del Aguila, Francis Jue, Ryan Eggold & More Join YELLOW FACE on Broadway

Roundabout Theatre Company just announced complete casting for the new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang directed by Leigh Silverman. Check out who will join the cast here!
Queer Operetta 'G' By Mur to Premiere At Wild Project

Wild project will present the world premiere of G, an autobiographical operetta by nonbinary artist Mur, exploring a dark and comedic journey after a drug-facilitated assault, featuring diverse queer characters and themes of self-love. Learn how to purchase tickets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jessica Chastain been in?

Jessica Chastain has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Jessica Chastain been in?

Jessica Chastain has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Jessica Chastain's first West End show?

Jessica Chastain's first West End show was A Doll's House which opened in 2020

What awards has Jessica Chastain been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Doll’s House and Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Doll's House.

What awards has Jessica Chastain won?

Jessica Chastain has won the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in A Doll’s House.

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