Anne Hathaway
She transformed from a charming princess into a formidable dramatic actress, earning an Oscar for her raw portrayal of a fallen woman in 'Les Misérables'.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American actress·Birthday: November 12·Millennials
Biography
Anne Hathaway's career began with a deceptive lightness, her breakthrough role as the earnest, diary-keeping Mia Thermopolis in 'The Princess Diaries' (2001) making her an instant family favorite. For years, she navigated the tricky waters of young Hollywood, balancing comedies like 'The Devil Wears Prada' with more serious turns. The perception of her as simply wholesome was shattered with her visceral performance as Fantine in the 2012 film adaptation of 'Les Misérables,' for which she lost a significant amount of weight and cut her hair on camera, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hathaway has since deliberately chosen complex, often challenging roles, from a scientist battling an environmental catastrophe in 'Interstellar' to a narcissistic entrepreneur in 'The Last Thing He Wanted,' proving her depth and commitment to her craft beyond the early glitter of royalty.
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.
Anne 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 Anne Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anne'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 for her performance as Fantine in 'Les Misérables' (2012).
- Starred as Andy Sachs in the cultural touchstone film 'The Devil Wears Prada,' opposite Meryl Streep.
- Served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for gender equality and paid parental leave.
- Her films have collectively grossed over $6.8 billion at the worldwide box office.
Did You Know?
She is one of the few performers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) for a single work, winning the Emmy for producing the 'Modern Love' TV series episode she starred in.
She turned down the lead role in 'The Notebook,' which later went to Rachel McAdams.
She is a trained soprano and performed all her own singing in 'Les Misérables.'
She was the first American actress to play a British queen in a major film with 'Becoming Jane' (though the film was about Jane Austen, not a queen).
““I think you have to be grateful for the moments that are good and be graceful to yourself in the moments that aren’t.””
