Frances Ann O'Connor (born 12 June 1967) is an Australian actress and director. She appears in roles in the films Mansfield Park, Bedazzled, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Timeline. O'Connor won an AACTA Award for her performance in Blessed, and also earned two Golden Globe Award nominations for her performances in Madame Bovary and The Missing. In 2022, her debut feature as writer and director, Emily, was released.

Frances O'Connor
O'Connor in Three Dollars, December 2004
Born
Frances Ann O'Connor[1]

(1967-06-12) 12 June 1967 (age 57)[2]
Wantage, Berkshire, England, UK
Alma materCurtin University
Occupation(s)Actress, director, writer
Years active1993–present
Notable workMansfield Park
Bedazzled
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
The Importance of Being Earnest
Timeline
Spouse
(m. 2011)
Children1
AwardsAACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Blessed (2009)

Early life

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O'Connor was born in Wantage, at the time part of Berkshire, England, to a pianist mother and nuclear physicist father;[citation needed] her family moved to Perth, Western Australia, when she was two years old.[3] She is the middle of five children, with one older brother, one older sister, and two younger sisters.[citation needed] O'Connor was raised Roman Catholic,[4] and attended the Mercedes College in Perth. She then went on to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from Curtin University in Western Australia.

Career

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O'Connor made her film debut in Emma-Kate Croghan's critically acclaimed independent romantic comedy Love and Other Catastrophes (1996).[5] She received her first AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role nomination for her performance in the film. In 1997, she had the leading role in Kiss or Kill,[6] and starred opposite Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh in Thank God He Met Lizzie.[5] In 1999, O'Connor starred as Fanny Price in the British romantic comedy-drama Mansfield Park. The film also received favourable reviews from critics.[7] The following year, O'Connor earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance as Emma Bovary in the film Madame Bovary.[8]

In 2000, O'Connor began her Hollywood career with a role in the remake with Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley of the 1967 British film Bedazzled.[9] The following year, she had a leading role in the Steven Spielberg science fiction drama A.I. Artificial Intelligence, earning her a nomination for a Saturn Award for Best Actress. In 2002, she starred alongside Rupert Everett, Colin Firth and Judi Dench in the romantic comedy-drama The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Oliver Parker and based on Oscar Wilde's classic play. In 2003, O'Connor starred opposite Paul Walker in the science fiction film Timeline, which bombed at the box office.[10][11]

In 2004, O'Connor returned to independent films and starred in Book of Love opposite Simon Baker, and Iron Jawed Angels with Hilary Swank, Julia Ormond and Anjelica Huston. In 2008, she starred in the short-lived ABC comedy-drama series Cashmere Mafia alongside Lucy Liu, Miranda Otto and Bonnie Somerville.[8] In 2009, she won an AACTA Award for Best Actress for her performance in Blessed. She later appeared in Jayne Mansfield's Car, Little Red Wagon and The Truth About Emanuel; and received two more AACTA Award for Best Actress nominations for Three Dollars (2005) and The Hunter (2011). In 2011, O'Connor was cast in the ABC drama pilot Hallelujah, created by Marc Cherry, but the show was not picked up to series.[12][13] From 2013 to 2014, she starred as Rose Selfridge in the British period drama Mr Selfridge.[14][15]

In 2014, O'Connor was cast as the lead in the British drama The Missing.[16] She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for her performance in the series.[17] She then appeared as Belle's mother Colette in the fourth season of the American series Once Upon a Time.[18] In 2016, O'Connor co-starred in the horror film The Conjuring 2, alongside Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson,[19] and in Cleverman, opposite Iain Glen.[20]

In 2022, O'Connor made her directorial debut with Emily, a biographical drama she also wrote, about the life of English writer Emily Brontë (portrayed by Emma Mackey).

Personal life

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O'Connor and her long-term partner, Gerald Lepkowski, had a son in 2005. The couple married in 2011 at O'Connor's mother's residence in Australia.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Bathing Boxes 2nd Woman Short film
1996 Love and Other Catastrophes Mia
1997 Kiss or Kill Nikki Davies
1997 Thank God He Met Lizzie Jenny Follett
1998 A Little Bit of Soul Kate Haslett
1999 A Margherita with Hot Salami Diana Short film
1999 Mansfield Park Fanny Price
2000 About Adam Laura Owens
2000 Bedazzled Alison Gardner/Nicole Delarusso
2001 A.I. Artificial Intelligence Monica Swinton
2002 The Importance of Being Earnest Gwendolen Fairfax
2002 Windtalkers Rita Swelton
2003 Timeline Kate Ericson
2004 Iron Jawed Angels Lucy Burns
2004 Book of Love Elaine Walker
2005 Three Dollars Tanya Harnovey
2005 The Lazarus Child Alison Heywood
2005 Piccadilly Jim Ann Chester
2009 Blessed Rhonda
2011 The Hunter Lucy Armstrong
2012 Jayne Mansfield's Car Camilla Bedford
2012 Best Man Down Jaime Anderson
2012 Little Red Wagon Margaret Craig
2013 The Truth About Emanuel Janice
2014 Mercy Rebecca McCoy
2016 The Conjuring 2 Peggy Hodgson
2020 Go! Christie Hooper
2022 Emily Writer, director

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
1993 Law of the Land Regular role: Marissa Green TV series, 13 episodes
1994 The Damnation of Harvey McHugh Guest role: Georgina ABC TV series, 1 episode: "Heaven Knows Mr. McHugh"
1995 The Man from Snowy River Recurring role: Rachel McAlister TV series, season 2, 2 episodes
1995 Halifax f.p. - The Feeding Lead Guest role: Frances TV film series, 1 episode 3: "The Feeding"
1996 Blue Heelers Recurring Guest role: Gabe Greenway TV series, 3 episodes
1996 G.P. Guest role: Karen Papadopoulos TV series, 1 episode: "Someone to Turn To"
1996 Shark Bay Regular role: Dr. Jane TV series
1997 Frontline Guest role: Kristy ABC TV series, 1 episode: "I Get the Big Names"
1997 Thank God He Met Lizzie: Cast and Crew Interviews Herself - Actress Short Video
1997 Thank God He Met Lizzie: B-Roll Herself - Actress Short Video
2000 The Movie Show Herself SBS TV series, 1 episode
2000 Madame Bovary Emma Bovary TV film
2000 The Panel Herself TV series, 1 episode
2002 Kiss Or Kill: Matt and Frances Talk About Working with Bill Bennett Herself - Actress Short Video documentary
2002 Kiss Or Kill: Matt, Frances, Andy, Chris and Bill Describing 'Kiss Or Kill' Herself - Actress (as Frances) Short Video documentary
2002 Kiss Or Kill: Behind the Scenes / the Making of 'Kiss Or Kill' Herself - Actress Short Video documentary
2002 Acting A.I.: A Portrait of David Herself Short Video, US
2002 The Hollywood Machine Herself TV series US, 1 episode
2002 Dressing 'A.I.' Herself Short Video documentary, US
2004 Journey Through 'Timeline' Herself Video documentary, US
2004 The Textures of 'Timeline' Herself Video documentary
2008 Cashmere Mafia Regular role: Zoe Burden TV series US, 7 episodes
2009 Nova Recurring role: Emma Darwin TV documentary series US, 1 episode: "Darwin's Darkest Hour"
2011 Ice Lead role: Sarah Fitch TV miniseries UK/NZ; 2 episodes
2011 Hallelujah Ruth Turner Unsold pilot, US
2012 The Making of 'The Hunter' Herself (as Steven Kennedy) Short Video documentary
2013 Vegas Guest role: Barbara Kent TV series US, 1 episode: "From This Day Forward"
2013–2014 Mr Selfridge Regular role: Rose Selfridge TV series UK, 20 episodes
2014 Loose Women Herself TV series UK, 1 episode
2014 The Missing Regular role: Emily Hughes TV miniseries US/UK/France/Belgium, 8 episodes
2014 Once Upon a Time Guest role: Colette TV series US, 1 episode: "Family Business"
2015 72nd Golden Globe Awards Herself - Nominee TV special, US
2015 FansTang Live from the Red Carpet Herself TV series US, 1 episode
2016 Made in Hollywood Herself TV series US, 1 episode
2016 Crafting The Conjuring 2 Herself - 'Peggy Hodgson' Short film Video documentary
2016 Cleverman Regular role: Charlotte Cleary ABC TV series, 12 episodes
2017 Locke & Key Nina unsold pilot
2018 Troy: Fall of a City Regular role: Hecuba TV series UK/US/AUSTRALIA/South Africa, 7 episodes
2020 The End Lead regular role: Dr. Kate Brennan TV series, 10 episodes
2023 Erotic Stories Annabel SBS TV series, 1 episode: "Come As You Are" [21]
2024 The Twelve Meredith Nelson-Moore QC TV series: 8 episodes [22]
2025 Wednesday TBA Season 2; guest role

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result
1996 AACTA Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Love and Other Catastrophes Nominated
1997 Kiss or Kill Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Actress[citation needed] Won
Montreal World Film Festival Best Actress[citation needed] Won
AACTA Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Thank God He Met Lizzie Nominated
1999 Satellite Awards Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Mansfield Park Nominated
2000 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Madame Bovary Nominated
2001 Saturn Awards Best Actress A.I. Artificial Intelligence Nominated
American Film Institute Featured Actor of the Year – Female – Movies Nominated
2002 Empire Awards Best Actress Nominated
2005 AACTA Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Three Dollars Nominated
2009 Blessed Won
Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Actress[citation needed] Won
2011 Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Actress[citation needed] The Hunter Won
AACTA Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominated
2013 Ashland Independent Film Festival Best Acting Ensemble[citation needed] The Truth About Emanuel Won
2014 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film The Missing Nominated
Golden Nymph Awards Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries[citation needed] Won

References

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  1. ^ Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005.; at Ancestry.com
  2. ^ "Today in History". ABC News. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. ^ "The earnest gypsy". The Age. 17 June 2002. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  4. ^ "O'Connor Frances: Bedazzled". Urban Cinefile. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Frances O'Connor; Movies and Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  6. ^ "Kiss or Kill". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  7. ^ "Mansfield Park". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Frances O'Connor Biography". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  9. ^ Ojumu, Akin (2 April 2000). "Australia's latest export, Frances O'Connor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Timeline (2003)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Timeline (2003) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. 26 November 2003. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (25 February 2011). "Several Actors Join Broadcast Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Frances O'Connor boards ABC pilot". Digital Spy. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  14. ^ Lazarus, Suzanna (2 January 2013). "Meet the cast of Mr Selfridge". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  15. ^ "Playing the Mrs. to 'Mr. Selfridge'". Usnews.com. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  16. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (6 March 2014). "James Nesbitt, Frances O'Connor to star in BBC One's The Missing". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Golden Globe Awards Nominations: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  18. ^ "'Once Upon a Time' casts Frances O'Connor as Belle's mom". Entertainment Weekly. 9 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  19. ^ Kit, Borys (15 September 2015). "Frances O'Connor Joins 'The Conjuring 2' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  20. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (3 September 2015). "Iain Glen, Frances O'Connor's 'Cleverman' Series to Air on SundanceTV". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  21. ^ Knox, David (27 April 2023). "Production begins on Erotic Stories for SBS | TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  22. ^ Knox, David (31 August 2023). "Production underway on The Twelve S2 | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
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