Actress Vera Farmiga turns 51
Over the last two decades she has played memorable roles on contemporary horror films and series including “The Conjuring” and “Bates Motel”
Actress Vera Farmiga turns 51
She’s one of the most popular actresses in movies and TV for over the last two decades, having landed in several popular roles that already earned her an Academy Award nomination. Vera Farmiga was born on August 6, 1973, in Clifton, New Jersey, to Ukrainian immigrant parents Michael Farmiga, a computer systems analyst, and Lubomyra “Luba” Farmiga, a schoolteacher. Raised in a close-knit Ukrainian community, Farmiga did not learn English until she began kindergarten. She has six siblings, including her younger sister, actress Taissa Farmiga. Farmiga’s upbringing was deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture, which included traditional dance and the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Farmiga initially pursued a career in optometry but shifted to acting during her time at Syracuse University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995. She began her professional acting career on stage, making her Broadway debut in 1996 in the play “Taking Sides.” Her early work in television included a recurring role on the series “Roar” (1997), where she starred alongside Heath Ledger.
Her breakthrough in film came with her role in the 2004 indie hit “Down to the Bone,” where she played a struggling mother battling drug addiction. Her compelling performance earned her critical acclaim and the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Acting.
Farmiga’s career gained momentum with notable roles in high-profile films. In 2006, she starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon in Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed,” playing a police psychiatrist. This role brought her widespread recognition and showcased her ability to hold her own alongside Hollywood heavyweights.
In 2009, Farmiga delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in “Up in the Air” alongside George Clooney. Her portrayal of Alex Goran, a businesswoman with a complex personal life, earned her nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. This role solidified her status as a leading actress in Hollywood.
Farmiga continued to take on diverse and challenging roles. She starred in the horror hit “The Conjuring” (2013) as paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren, a role she reprised in several sequels. The film’s success established her as a prominent figure in the horror genre.
From 2013 to 2017, Farmiga played Norma Bates in the critically acclaimed TV series “Bates Motel,” a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” Her portrayal of the overprotective mother earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and several other accolades, highlighting her versatility and depth as an actress.
Farmiga also demonstrated her talents behind the camera, making her directorial debut with the drama “Higher Ground” (2011), in which she also starred. The film, exploring themes of faith and doubt, received positive reviews and showcased her skill as a filmmaker.
Vera Farmiga married actor Sebastian Roché in 1997, but the couple divorced in 2004. She later married musician and carpenter Renn Hawkey in 2008. The couple has two children: son Fynn McDonnell Hawkey, born in 2009, and daughter Gytta Lubov Hawkey, born in 2010. Farmiga is known for her strong family values and often speaks about the importance of her Ukrainian heritage.
Farmiga is also an advocate for environmental and humanitarian causes. She has been involved with organizations like Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.
Watch Vera Farmiga in character as Lorraine Warren in “The Conjuring 2”
Watch Vera Farmiga in character as Norma Bates in the TV series “Bates Motel”
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