Annette Bening

During an early part of her career in New York, she auditioned for a part on the soap opera "Loving" (1983). A screen-test was offered, and after thinking about it, she declined to pursue the matter.

Her first husband was American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) director J. Steven White. They married in 1984, separated in 1986 and divorced in 1991.

Nominated for a Tony for "Coastal Disturbances" in 1987.

Was nominated for Broadway's a 1987 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "Coastal Disturbances."

Hired to play the romantic lead in the sitcom "Just in Time" (1988). After the first table read, the producers fired her saying they "wanted to move the character in a new direction". She was replaced by Patricia Kalember.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1990" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 42. [1990]

Has appeared in three different Mike Nichols films. They are Postcards from the Edge (1990) (in a bit part), Regarding Henry (1991) and What Planet Are You From? (2000).

At the The 63rd Annual Academy Awards (1991) (TV), host Billy Crystal introduced Bening by saying, "She'll soon be appearing as none other than Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992)", a part that the studio gave to Michelle Pfeiffer when Bening became pregnant.

Was three times a real estate agent: in Regarding Henry (1991), American Beauty (1999) and What Planet Are You From? (2000).

Shortly after Bugsy (1991) wrapped up production, Annette learned she was pregnant with hers and Warren's daughter, Kathlyn Beatty.

She was offered US$1 million for the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992).

Has four children with Warren Beatty: Kathlyn (b. January 8, 1992), Benjamin (b. August 23, 1994), Isabel (b. January 11, 1997), and Ella (b. April 8, 2000).

Turned down Robin Wright's role in The Playboys (1992). Ironically, 17 years later, Wright turned down the role of Bening's daughter in Mother and Child (2009).

Returned to work four months after giving birth to her son Benjamin in order to begin filming The American President (1995).

Was the first choice to play the role of Carolyn Burnham in American Beauty (1999).

Appeared on "The Sopranos" (1999) as herself and was married to actor John Heard in the episode.

Twice lost to Hilary Swank for the Best Actress Oscar, once for 1999 and again for 2004.

Publicly criticized Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2000 bid for a seat in the Senate representing New York as the work of an opportunist.

Was eight months pregnant with her daughter Ella when she attended The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000) (TV), where she was nominated for Best Actress.

In 2001 she had planned to star in a biopic of Judy Garland titled "Rainbow's End," but the film never came to be.

She was originally slated to play Tess Coleman in Freaky Friday (2003). She backed out shortly before filming and was replaced by Jamie Lee Curtis.

Worked on Open Range (2003) for just two weeks. At her request, costar and director Kevin Costner filmed all of Bening's scenes in succession so she could leave location early and return to her family.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [November 10, 2006].

Replaced Julianne Moore for the role of Deidre Burroughs in Running with Scissors (2006). She and Moore would later costar in The Kids Are All Right (2010).

Will receive the American Riviera Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 28, 2011.