Anna Paquin
She became the second-youngest Oscar winner ever at age 11, launching a career that deftly navigated between indie films and blockbuster fantasy.
Born 1982 (age 44)·New Zealand actress·Birthday: July 24·Millennials
Biography
Anna Paquin's life changed forever when a newspaper ad for an open audition in her native New Zealand led to her first role. At eleven, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her haunting performance as Flora McGrath in Jane Campion's 'The Piano,' a film she almost turned down. This early triumph didn't typecast her; instead, she carved a path through thoughtful coming-of-age stories like 'Fly Away Home' and historical dramas like 'Amistad.' As an adult, she embraced complex roles, most notably as the telepathic Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse in the HBO series 'True Blood,' which brought her a new generation of fans and a Golden Globe. Paquin has consistently chosen projects that interest her, from the mutant Rogue in the 'X-Men' films to producing and starring in intimate dramas, maintaining a career defined by instinct rather than the early glare of awards.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anna was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 11 for 'The Piano' (1993), becoming the second-youngest Oscar winner in history.
- Earned a Golden Globe Award for her lead role as Sookie Stackhouse in the HBO series 'True Blood.'
- Portrayed the mutant Rogue across multiple films in the blockbuster 'X-Men' franchise.
- Received critical acclaim for her performance in the indie romance 'The Squid and the Whale.'
- Served as an executive producer for the independent film 'The Parting Glass,' which she also starred in.
Did You Know?
She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, but moved to New Zealand as a small child.
Her sister was the one who initially answered the newspaper casting call for 'The Piano,' but Anna went along and got the part.
She is fluent in New Zealand Sign Language.
She is married to her 'True Blood' co-star Stephen Moyer.
She initially turned down the role in 'The Piano' because she found the script boring.
“I don't think I've ever done anything for the money. I've only ever done things because I wanted to do them.”
