Holly Hunter – Bio, Net Worth, Husband, Awards, Age, Height, Facts

Holly Hunter is an American actress who is best known for her role of Ada McGrath in the 1993 period drama film “The Piano”. Her role received huge recognition and earned her an Academy Award. She has earned three more Academy Awards nominations for her role in “Broadcast News”, “The Firm”, and “Thirteen”. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 30, 2008. Hunter made her film debut in 1981 by appearing as Sophie in the American slasher film “The Burning”.

What is Holly Hunter famous for?

• Famous as an academy award-winning American actress
• Known for her role of Ada McGrath in “The Piano”

Where is Holly Hunter from?

Holly Hunter was born on March 20, 1958, in Conyers, Georgia, United States. Her birth name is Holly Patricia Hunter. She holds an American nationality. Her ethnicity is white while Pisces is her zodiac sign.

Hunter was born to Marguerite “Dee Dee” Catledge(mother) and Charles Edwin Hunter(father). Her mother was a housewife while her father worked as a farmer and sporting-goods manufacturer’s representative.

She was raised in her hometown, Conyers. She cannot hear from her left year due to some complications in her childhood. She did her schooling at Rockdale Country High School. While in high school, she performed in local productions of Oklahoma, Man of La Mancha, and Fiddler on the Roof which rose her interest to pursue her career in acting.

She then joined Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and got graduated with a degree in drama. While enrolling in college, she continued performing in the theatre scene and played various roles at City Theatre. After graduating, she moved to Bronx, New York City, and shared a room with fellow actress, Frances McDormand. 

Holly Hunter’s Career

• Holly Hunter started her career as an actress in 1981 by appearing in Henley’s plays “Crimes of the Heart”, and “The Miss Firecracker Contest”.
• She made her film debut in 1981 by appearing in the role of Sophie in the American slasher film “The Burning”.
• She then played the supporting role of Jeannie in the 1984 American romantic drama film “Swing Shift”.
• In the same year, she gave her voice for the role of Helene Trend in the American independent crime film “Blood Simple”.
• She continued her career by appearing in several films including “Svengali”, “An Uncommon Love”, “With Intent to Kill”, “A Gathering of Old Men”, “Crazy in Love”, and “Harlan County War”.
• She got her career breakthrough in 1987 after she played the starring role of Jane Craig in the American romantic crime-drama film “Broadcast News”. Her role in the film was appreciated a lot and also earned her several awards including an Academy Award nomination for best actress.
• In the year 1989, she appeared in the role of Dorinda Durston in the American romantic fantasy drama film “Always”.
• She appeared as Ellen Russell/ Jane Doe in the 1989 television film “Roe vs Wade” which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award.
• Hunter rose to fame in 1993 after she portrayed the role of Ada McGrath in the 1993 period drama film “The Piano”. Her role earned her several awards including an Academy Award for Best Actress. 
• In the same year, she played the role of Tammy Hemphill in the legal thriller film “The Firm”. Her role was appreciated a lot and earned her an Academy Award nomination.
• She appeared as Claudia Larson in the 1995 American family comedy-drama film “Home for the Holidays”.
• She then portrayed the role of Helen Remington in the 1996 psychological thriller film “Crash”.
• In 1998, she played the role of a divorced woman in “Living Out Loud” which earned her several awards including the Satellite Award and Chicago Film Critics Association.
• She continued her acting career by appearing in various films and series including “Jesus’ Son”, “Woman Wanted”, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, “Harlan County War”, and “Moonlight Mile”.
• She also played the role of Melanie Freeland in the 2003 American teen drama film “Thirteen”. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
• Hunter appeared in the starring role of Barb in the 2004 American comedy-drama film “Little Black Book”.
• In the same year, she lent her voice for the role of Elastigirl in the American computer-animated superhero film “The Incredibles” and later in the film’s sequel “Incredibles 2” in 2018.
• She starred as Margaret Barnell in the 2005 black comedy film “The Big White” alongside Robin Williams.
• She played the role of Grace in the American crime drama television series “Saving Grace” from 2007 to 2010. In the show, she also worked as an executive producer.
• In 2016, she appeared in the role of Senator Finch in the American superhero film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.
• She made her guest appearance as Sally Yates in the American political drama “The Comedy Rule” in 2020 for two episodes.
• Hunter portrayed the main role of Arpi Meskimen in the American sitcom television series “Mr. Mayor”.

Holly Hunter Awards

• Academy Award
• BAFTA Award
• Golden Globe Award
• 2 Primetime Emmy Awards
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award
• 2 National Board of Review Awards
• New York Film Critics Circle Award
• Silver Bear Award
• 2 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award
• Australian Film Institute Award
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award
• Cannes Film Festival
• Chicago Film Critics Association Award
• Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award
• London Film Critics Circle Award
• New York Film Critics Circle Award
• 2 Bronze Leopard Award
• Hollywood Film Award
• CableACE Award
• Gracie Allen Award
• Equity Award

Who is Holly Hunter’s Husband?

Holly Hunter is currently in a relationship with British actor, Gordon MacDonald since 2001. Hunter met Gordon in San Jose Repertory Theatre’s production of playwright Marina Carr’s By the Bog of Cats where they were playing the role of lovers.

The couple is blessed with twin sons, Claude and Press who were born in January 2006. Previously, Hunter was married to her ex-husband, Janusz Kamiński. Janusz is a Polish cinematographer and director who is known for his work on Schindler’s List. The couple tied the knot in 1995. Later, they got divorced in 2001.

Besides, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1999. She got awarded an Honorary Doctorate by her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University in 2016.

How much is Holly Hunter’s worth?

Holly Hunter has earned a good amount of money from her profession as an actress. Having started her career in 1981, Hunter has a come long way becoming an Academy Award-winning actress in her 41 years-long acting career. She has worked in several films and series, earning handsome sums of money throughout her career. Including all of her earnings, Hunter has an estimated net worth of $16 million as of 2022. 

How tall is Holly Hunter?

Holly Hunter is a beautiful woman with a well-maintained body physique in her mid-60s. She has a fair complexion with blonde hair and a pair of black eyes. She stands tall with a height of 5ft 2inches(1.57m) and has a bodyweight of 55kg(121 lbs). Her body measurement is 32-24-32 inches. Her shoe size is 7(US) while her dress size is 6(US).