Sarah Polley
A fiercely intelligent artist who evolved from a beloved child star into a director of unflinching, emotionally precise documentaries and narratives.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Canadian actress, film director, and screenwriter·Birthday: January 8·Generation X
Biography
Sarah Polley's journey in front of and behind the camera is one of Canadian cultural history. Recognized early as the spirited Ramona Quimby and the orphaned Sara Stanley on 'Road to Avonlea,' she carried the weight of a nation's affection through her teens. But Polley was never content to be just an actress. A sharp political mind and a desire for artistic control led her to turn down major Hollywood roles and instead seek out challenging independent films like 'The Sweet Hereafter,' where her performance as a survivor revealed a stunning adult depth. This restlessness naturally flowed into writing and directing. Her feature debut, 'Away from Her,' was a graceful, heartbreaking study of Alzheimer's that announced a major directorial talent. She later turned the lens on herself and her family with 'Stories We Tell,' a groundbreaking documentary that interrogated memory and truth. Polley’s work is defined by a rare emotional bravery and a meticulous, thoughtful approach to the most complex human stories.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Sarah was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Sarah Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Sarah's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
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
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Wrote and directed 'Away from Her,' earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Directed and starred in the innovative, critically acclaimed documentary 'Stories We Tell.'
- Received widespread praise for her performance in Atom Egoyan's drama 'The Sweet Hereafter.'
Did You Know?
She was seriously considered for the role of Penny Lane in the film 'Almost Famous,' but turned it down.
Polley is an active political activist and once ran for office with the Ontario New Democratic Party.
Her documentary 'Stories We Tell' used actors to recreate home movie footage in its exploration of family secrets.
“The thing about luck is that it’s not a sustainable business model.”
