Olivia Williams Biography

A struggling stage actress when she was cast in the Kevin Costner epic The Postman (1997), British actress Olivia Williams survived the film's meltdown with her reputation relatively intact. The daughter of lawyers, Williams earned a degree in English at Cambridge University before studying acting for two years with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her training led to several stage roles, as well as to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company in both Stratford-upon-Avon and London. A four-month tour of Richard III featuring Ian McKellen brought Williams to the United States, and, following a supporting role in the made-for-TV adaptation of Emma (1997), she again found herself stateside to work on The Postman. Fortunately for Williams, she rebounded from The Postman with her role as Miss Cross, the fought-over love interest of a precocious 15-year-old and an embittered millionaire in the acclaimed comedy Rushmore (1998). She could be seen the next year starring opposite Bruce Willis in the enormously successful supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense. She continued to work steadily in films such as Born Romantic, The Man from Elysian Fields, A Knight's Tale, and Peter Pan. She was excellent in An Education as a sympathetic teacher, appeared in short-lived Joss Whedon series Dollhouse, and starred in Roman Polanski's politically-tinged thriller The Ghost Writer. In 2011 she had a main role in the action film Hanna and appeared as Countess Vronsky in Joe Wright's 2012 adaptation of the classic Anna Karenina. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi

• 1. Rosemary Cross: Although, I will say that Edward has more spark, character, and imagination in one fingernail than Herman Blume has in his entire body.
  2. Max Fischer: One dead fingernail.
  3. Rosemary Cross: Right. One dead fingernail.
  From Rushmore. Submitted by Rolf J (2 months ago)

• 1. Rachel: I love the countryside. The city stifles me. Emotionally. Creatively. Spiritually. Places like this bring us closer to god.
  2. Rachel: Well, not in any monotheistic sense. Buddha, Krishna, the 'God Within'. Whatever you believe in. What do you believe in, Hanna?
  From Hanna. Submitted by In Your D (6 months ago)

• 1. Lt. Brice: Try not to fraternize with the men. They can be a little... strange.
  2. Claire Page: Strange, as in superstitious?
  3. Lt. Brice: As in 'strange.'
  From Below. Submitted by Folashade K (10 months ago)

• 1. Claire Page: [last lines] You say whatever you have to say, Ensign. I'll always believe you were brought back here for a reason.
  From Below. Submitted by Folashade K (10 months ago)

• 1. Ruth Lang: I see you've taken out the Lang family tree [from the memoirs]. Adam's very proud of the Langs.
  2. The Ghost: You know, if you want a family tree, go to a garden center.
  From The Ghost Writer. Submitted by Christian B (13 months ago)

• 1. Sebastian: So Hanna, is your mum and Dad still together?
  2. Hanna: My mother is dead.
  3. Sophie: [to Sebastian] Nice one, Dad.
  4. Sebastian: I'm sorry to hear that. I lost my mum when I was very young, so...
  5. Hanna: It's all right. It happened a long time ago.
  6. Rachel: Hanna, what did your mum die of?
  7. Hanna: Three bullets.
  From Hanna. Submitted by Patrick B (13 months ago)

• 1. Rosemary Cross: Has it ever crossed your mind that you're far too young for me?
  2. Max Fischer: It crossed my mind that you might consider that a possibility, yeah.
  From Rushmore. Submitted by Vinícius D (14 months ago)

• 1. Rachel: What did your mother die of?
  2. Hanna: Three bullets.
  From Hanna. Submitted by Evan M (22 months ago)

• 1. Hanna: Promise not to follow me?
  2. Sophie: I promise.
  From Hanna. Submitted by George N (23 months ago)

• 1. Rachel: What did your mother die of Hanna?
  2. Hanna: Three bullets.
  From Hanna. Submitted by Amy D (2 years ago)

• 1. Miss Stubbs: You seem to be old and wise.
  2. Jenny: I feel old. But not very wise.
  From An Education. Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)

• 1. Ruth Lang: If we meet any terrorists, I'll text you.
  From The Ghost Writer. Submitted by Chris P (2 years ago)