Saoirse >> Biography

Saoirse Una Ronan was born on April 12th 1994 to proud parents Paul and Monica Ronan in New York City, New York. Although she was born in the United States, Saoirse was moved to Ardattin, Ireland with her parents when she was still young. Her father, Paul Ronan, is a famous actor in his own right, starring in films like The Devil's Own with Brad Pitt. As a baby, Saoirse accompanied her father to the set of The Devil's Own and was carried and held by Brad Pitt.

In 2003, she booked her first role, a recurring television role, as Rhiannon Geraghty on The Clinic for 4 episodes. 2005, she booked another television role as Orla Boland on Proof, also for 4 episodes. From there, it was impossible to stop her!

In 2006 came along her first movie role, a starring role, in a movie also starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd. She played the maturing witty daughter of Michelle's character, Izzie. The film was called I Could Never Be Your Woman. Though it turned out underrated, the light comedy proved to be Saoirse's first great movie when it was released. Next up, was perhaps Saoirse's biggest role yet! She was booked to play the evil character Briony Tallis at age 13 in the war-time drama Atonement based on the book of the same name, that also had big names Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, and Vanessa Redgrave signed on.

When the film released in 2008, Saoirse received an armload of awards nominations and wins for her performance as Briony. She gained the admiration of many. As a result of the film, she was nominated for an Academy Award! Although she didn't win, she had still done her job as an actress by capturing the love (and hate) of many people. Who says evil isn't good?

Next up, Saoirse booked the part of Lina Mayfleet in the science-fiction adventure film, City of Ember. The film co-starred Harry Treadaway as Lina's best friend Doon Harrow, Martin Landau as an overworking old handyman, and Bill Murray as the schemeing, stealing mayor. It was filmed in the Titanic quarters of the Belfast paint hall. Even though the movie seemed to be highly anticipated, opening weekend at the box office failed, after underadvertising, ending at #11. Though it was her largest film role to date, being featured in about 95% of the film, it wasn't as successful as anyone had hoped. Even so, she did earn several award nominations for her performance.

Another part that also earned her several award nominations was her performance as Benji McGarvie in Death Defying Acts. Death Defying Acts follows a con-artist mother and her daughter as they meet Harry Houdini in his last public performance in Edinburgh, Scotland before his death. Saoirse's performance was one of her best, as she used her keen ear for accents, having to use a Scottish accent.

Saoirse can more recently be seen in The Lovely Bones, playing the lead role of Susie Salmon. The film follows the story of Susie, a victim of murder. Susie watches her greiving family and her cold-blooded murderer from Heaven. She watches as her sister falls in love for the first time, as her father becomes obsessed with vengeance, and as her mother falls apart at the seams. The film is directed by Peter Jackson, who directed the Lord of The Rings movies. Filming took place in Pennsylvania and New Zealand in late 2007 and early 2008. Though the film opened to mixed reviews, there was one thing that was certain: Saoirse's performance stole the show! As a result, she was nominated for an arm load of awards, including Leading Actress by the BAFTAs and Best Young Actor by the Saturn Awards. She even scored Best Actress at the IFTAs!

In 2010, Saoirse once again played a pivotal role, this time in Peter Weir's WWII drama The Way Back. Based on a true story, The Way Back tells the story of seven multi-national prisoners as they trek across thousands of miles of hostile terrain en-route to India and their freedom. Saoirse played Irena, a young Polish girl. Also in 2010, Saoirse was reunited with Joe Wright, the director of her first major film, Atonement. This time, they brought their adjourning skills to Hanna. Produced by Focus Features, Hanna tells the tale of a 16-year-old girl who is raised by her father in the forests of Northern Finland, away from civilization, as the ultimate assassin. When Hanna ventures out into the world, she must face a number of life-changing obstacles, including questions regarding her humanity, and she must evade the minions of a CIA operative who will stop at nothing to get to Hanna and her father. The film was released in the United States in April 2011. Saoirse's performance, unsurprisingly, blew audiences away.

Next up, Saoirse will team up with the director of Precious, Geoffrey Fletcher, and actors Alexis Bledel, Danny Trejo, and James Gandolfini in Violet and Daisy. Shot in New York City in Fall 2010, Saoirse takes on the role of Daisy, one half of a team of teenage assassins. When they are assigned to a new job, the girls expect an easy hit-and-run but what they get is more than what they bargained for. The film is slated for a late 2011 release. We can expect to see Saoirse lots of places in the future! We certainly won't ever be disappointed by her.

Even though Saoirse has a lot on her plate, she still has time to live a normal life. She is currently homeschooled in Ardattin, and enjoys playing basketball. She also enjoys playing with her precious Border Collie, Sassy.

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