Leelee Sobieski

Biography

Liliane Rudabet Gloria Elsveta "Leelee" Sobieski (born June 10, 1983) is an American artist and former actress who gained prominence in her teenage years with a series of memorable film roles before transitioning to a career in fine art.

Early Life and Acting Career:

Born in New York City, Sobieski's talents were recognized early, leading to her acting debut in 1994 in the TV movie Reunion. She quickly rose to fame in the late 1990s, appearing in major films such as Deep Impact (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Her performance in the television film Joan of Arc (1999) earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations, making her the youngest actress at the time to portray the historical figure on screen.

Sobieski continued to take on diverse roles in the early 2000s, including films like Here on Earth (2000), Joy Ride (2001), and The Glass House (2001). She also received another Golden Globe nomination for her role in the miniseries Uprising (2001). While she pursued studies in literature and fine art at Brown University, she continued to act in various films and television shows, including The Wicker Man (2006) and Public Enemies (2009).

Transition to Art:

By 2012, Sobieski had largely retired from full-time acting to focus on raising her children and pursuing her passion for art. She now works as a professional artist, painting and sculpting abstract work, often utilizing virtual reality tools like Google Tilt Brush. Her artwork is characterized by bright colors, abstracted shapes, and textures, frequently presented on large black or white backgrounds. She uses her married surname, Leelee Kimmel, for her art career. Her art has been exhibited in galleries internationally.