Minnie Driver

Minnie Driver, born Amelia Fiona Jessica Driver on January 31, 1970, in London, England, spent her early childhood in Barbados before moving back to England. She pursued her education at Bedales School in Hampshire and later honed her craft at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Driver’s career began with television appearances and stage work, while also performing as a jazz vocalist and guitarist. Her breakout role came in 1995 as Benny in “Circle of Friends,” which garnered her critical attention. This was followed by a brief role in the James Bond film “GoldenEye” the same year.

Driver’s career progressed with significant roles in films like “Big Night” (1996), “Sleepers” (1996), and “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997). A turning point in her acting career was her performance as Skylar in “Good Will Hunting” (1997), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. She lent her voice to animated features such as Disney’s “Tarzan” (1999) and the English dub of “Princess Mononoke” (1999). Driver also established a presence in television, notably with a recurring role as Lorraine Finster in “Will & Grace” (2003–2020) and a lead role in the FX series “The Riches” (2007–2008), for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Her musical talent is also evident through three solo albums, with her first, “Everything I’ve Got in My Pocket,” achieving U.K. chart success.

More recently, Driver starred in the ABC sitcom “Speechless” (2016–2019) and had roles in “Modern Love” (2021) and “The Witcher: Blood Origin” (2022). She also returned to film with roles in “Cinderella” (2021), “Rosaline” (2022), “Chevalier” (2022), “Uproar” (2023), and “The Beekeeper” (2024). In 2021, she launched her podcast, “Minnie Questions with Minnie Driver,” featuring interviews with various guests. Beyond her acting and music, Driver is also an author, having released her memoir, “Managing Expectations,” in 2022.