Rooney Mara

Biography

Patricia Rooney Mara is an American actress known for her striking, intense performances and her consistent work in both major studio films and independent cinema.

Biography and Early Life

Born on April 17, 1985, in Bedford, New York, Rooney Mara comes from a family with deep roots in American professional football; her grandfathers founded the Pittsburgh Steelers (maternal side) and the New York Giants (paternal side). Despite this background, she pursued her own path in the arts. After graduating from high school, she spent time abroad as part of a traveling school before studying at George Washington University and later graduating from New York University with a degree in psychology and non-profits in 2010. She is the younger sister of actress Kate Mara. She began her career using her full first name, Patricia, but later adopted her middle name, Rooney, professionally.

Career Highlights and Notable Roles

Mara's early career involved small roles in independent films and television, including appearances on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and ER. Her career began to gain momentum with a supporting role in the critically acclaimed film The Social Network (2010), playing Erica Albright, the ex-girlfriend who inspires Mark Zuckerberg.

Her true breakthrough came with a starkly contrasting role:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): She was cast as the lead, Lisbeth Salander, the brilliant but troubled computer hacker. Her commitment to the role, which included a dramatic physical transformation and intense preparation, earned her widespread critical praise, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Carol (2015): She delivered another acclaimed performance as Therese Belivet, a young store clerk who falls for an older woman (Cate Blanchett). For this role, she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and received her second Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress.

Mara continues to choose challenging roles in a diverse range of projects, including the romantic science-fiction film Her (2013), the psychological thriller Side Effects (2013), the true-story drama Lion (2016), and the period piece Nightmare Alley (2021). She is noted for her ability to portray complex, often reserved, and emotionally nuanced characters.

In addition to her acting career, Mara is also recognized for her humanitarian work and vegan activism. She oversees the Uweza Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting children and families in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya.