Michelle Williams
Highest Rated: 96% Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Lowest Rated: 11% Deception (2008)
Birthday: Sep 9, 1980
Birthplace: Kalispell, Montana, United States
As semi-reformed bad girl Jennifer Lindley on Dawson's Creek, actress Michelle Williams garnered a certain type of notoriety unavailable to her more morality-inclined co-stars. In spite of this notoriety--or perhaps because of it--the role provided Williams with a wealth of opportunities, making her one of the foremost teen stars of the late 1990s. Born September 9, 1980 in small-town Kalispell, Montana and raised there until she was ten, Williams started acting after her family moved to San Diego. Beginning with roles in community theatre productions, she was soon shuttling back and forth to Los Angeles for auditions. Williams made her film debut in 1994 with Lassie, and then had a small but memorable part as the young version of the nubile and bloodthirsty alien in Species (1995). After the dismal and virtually unseen Timemaster (1995), Williams moved on to more auspicious fare with Jocelyn Moorhouse's A Thousand Acres (1997). Williams was cast as Michelle Pfeiffer's daughter, and the film's small-town setting must have given her some context for her next role, that of Jenn in Dawson's Creek. The show, which premiered in January of 1998, gave Williams her break-out role, and in short time she was besieged with movie offers and a stream of interviews.Williams' first film to exploit her newfound Dawson's fame was Halloween: H2O (1998), in which she starred opposite Jamie Lee Curtis. The film opened to poor reviews but a strong box office performance, and paved the way for her to star in future films, including 1999's thoroughly weird political satire Dick. The film, which looks at the Watergate scandal from the point of view of two teenage girls (played by Williams and Kirsten Dunst), provided Williams with a chance to expand her range beyond the constraints of her Dawson's Creek character. As the new millennium began, Williams found herself more and more comfortable exploring independent film, participating in smaller but often extremely influential projects like Perfume (2001), The Station Agent (2003) and Prozac Nation (2003). In 2005, Williams signed on to appear in the groundbreaking Ang Lee film Brokeback Mountain. The critical acclaim surrounding the movie was overwhelming, bringing Williams a new level of notoriety. Her popularity was also bolstered when the public learned that she and costar Heath Ledger had become involved during filming. The two became engaged and had a daughter together, Matilda, in 2005, and though they would later separate in 2007, they remained close for the well being of their daughter. Tragically, Ledger was found dead of an accidental overdose the following year. The heartbreaking loss for both Williams and her daughter forced the actress to deal with additional public scrutiny at a time when she was most vulnerable, but she coped with the grief as best she could, by investing more energy in her work. In 2008 alone she would appear in numerous films, including the drama Incendiary with Ewan McGregor and the highly anticipated Charlie Kaufman directorial debut Synecdoche, New York.Williams persisted in working with very good directors, as well as indie helmers who could offer her challenging work. She earned strong reviews for her starring role in Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy, and they worked together again on the western Meek's Cutoff. In addition, she worked with Martin Scorsese in his adaptation of Shutter Island.She also continued to earn awards for a steady string of impressive work including Blue Valentine, where her work as the female half of a failing marriage scored her Oscar, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit nominations for Best Actress. Then in 2011 she took on the challenge of playing Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn, and was rewarded with rave reviews as well as Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Actress.
Photos
Highest Rated Movies
Filmography
Movies
| Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44% | After the Wedding | Isabel | — | 2019 |
| 96% | Manchester by the Sea | Randi | $47.7M | 2016 |
| 91% | Certain Women | Gina | $1.1M | 2016 |
| No Score Yet | Project X | Actor | — | 2016 |
| 76% | Suite Française | Actor | $1.4M | 2015 |
| No Score Yet | The Double Hour | Actor | — | 2014 |
| No Score Yet | Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy | Actor | — | 2013 |
| 79% | Take This Waltz | Margot | $1.2M | 2012 |
| 83% | My Week with Marilyn | Marilyn Monroe | $12.7M | 2011 |
| 86% | Meek's Cutoff | Emily Tetherow | $1M | 2011 |
| No Score Yet | The Emperor's Children | Actor | — | 2011 |
| 87% | Blue Valentine | Executive Producer Cindy | $9.7M | 2010 |
| 68% | Shutter Island | Dolores | $125.1M | 2010 |
| 45% | Mammoth (Mammut) | Ellen | — | 2009 |
| 20% | Incendiary | Young Mother | — | 2009 |
| 85% | Wendy and Lucy | Wendy | $0.8M | 2008 |
| 11% | Deception | S | $4.6M | 2008 |
| 77% | I'm Not There | Coco Rivington | $4.1M | 2007 |
| 32% | The Hottest State | Samantha | — | 2007 |
| 30% | The Hawk Is Dying | Betty | — | 2006 |
| 87% | Brokeback Mountain | Alma Beers Del Mar | $83M | 2005 |
| 32% | The Baxter | Cecil Mills | — | 2005 |
| 34% | Imaginary Heroes | Penny Travis | — | 2005 |
| 17% | A Hole in One | Anna | — | 2004 |
| 34% | The United States of Leland | Julie Pollard | $0.3M | 2004 |
| 62% | Land of Plenty | Lana | — | 2004 |
| 94% | The Station Agent | Emily | — | 2003 |
| 66% | Me Without You | Holly | $55.8K | 2002 |
| 11% | Perfume | Halley | — | 2001 |
| 39% | But I'm a Cheerleader | Kimberly | $0.2M | 2000 |
| No Score Yet | If These Walls Could Talk 2 | Linda | — | 2000 |
| 71% | Dick | Arlene Lorenzo | — | 1999 |
| 52% | Halloween H20 | Molly | — | 1998 |
| 24% | A Thousand Acres | Pammy | — | 1997 |
| No Score Yet | My Son Is Innocent | Donna Winston | — | 1996 |
| 43% | Species | Young Sil | — | 1995 |
| No Score Yet | Timemaster | Annie | — | 1995 |
| 88% | Lassie | April | — | 1994 |
TV
| Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No Score Yet |
Busy Tonight 2018 |
2019 |
|
| 81% |
Fosse/Verdon 2019 |
Executive Producer Gwen Verdon |
2019 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Night With Seth Meyers 2014 |
Guest |
2019 |
| No Score Yet |
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 2015 |
Guest |
2019 2016 |
| No Score Yet |
Great Performances 2000 |
Performer |
2018 |
| 83% |
RuPaul's Drag Race 2009 |
Judge |
2018 2009 |
| No Score Yet |
American Beauty Star 2017 |
Judge |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
The Talk 2010 |
Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors 2015 |
Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
FABLife 2015-2016 |
Guest Host |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
The Chew 2011-2018 |
Guest |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
The Ellen DeGeneres Show 2003 |
Guest |
2016 2011 |
| No Score Yet |
In Performance at the White House 2010-2016 |
Performer |
2015 |
| No Score Yet |
The View 1997 |
Guest |
2015 |
| No Score Yet |
Boston's Finest 2013-2014 |
Reality cast member |
2014 2013 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Show With David Letterman 1993-2015 |
Guest |
2013 2012 |
| No Score Yet |
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 1992-2014 |
Guest |
2012 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 2009-2014 |
Guest |
2011 |
| No Score Yet |
Sunday Morning 2011-2018 |
Appearing |
2011 |
| No Score Yet |
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 1999-2015 |
Guest |
2010 |
| No Score Yet |
Dawson's Creek 1998-2003 |
Jen Lindley |
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 |
QUOTES FROM Michelle Williams CHARACTERS
Cindy says: I never want to be like my parents. I know they must've loved each other at one time right? To just get it all out of the way before they had me. How do you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?
Marilyn Monroe says: All people ever see is Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run.
Annie/Glinda says: [as the bubbles are flying towards the shield] The shield allows a good-hearted person to pass.
Annie/Glinda says: The shield allows a good-hearted person to pass.
Oz says: [Panicking] I'm gonna die!
Oz says: I'm gonna die!
Oz says: [sotto voice, to Glinda] I might not actually be a wizard...
Oz says: I might not actually be a wizard.
Annie/Glinda says: Yes, but they don't know that.
Annie/Glinda says: The shield allows a good-hearted person to pass.
Oz says: I'm gonna die!
Annie/Glinda says: For the record, I knew you always had it in you.
Oz says: Greatness?
Annie/Glinda says: No, something better. Goodness.
Annie/Glinda says: If you can make them believe... then you're wizard enough
Annie/Glinda says: If you can make them believe, then you're wizard enough
Annie/Glinda says: I always knew you had it in you.
Oz says: Greatness?
Annie/Glinda says: No, better. Goodness.
Cindy says: How do you trust your feelings when they can just disappear like that?
Dean says: What's your name?
Cindy says: Go away.
Dean says: Go away? That's a weird name.
Dolores says: You have to let me go.
Teddy Daniels says: I can't!
Teddy Daniels says: I'm not gonna leave. I love you so much.
Dolores says: I'm just bones in a box, Teddy.
Ruby says: Lizzy, I'm not crying because you're mean. I just can't imagine how incredibly painful it must be to be you.
Margot says: I'm afraid of being afraid.
Daniel says: That sound like the most dangerous thing in the world.
Alma says: Don't try to fool me no more,Ennis! I know what that means! Jack Twist... Jack Nasty!! You didn't go up there to fish, you and him...
Alma says: Don't try to fool me no more, Ennis! I know what that means! Jack Twist... Jack Nasty! You didn't go up there to fish, you and him...
Ruby says: Lizzy, I'm not crying because you're mean. I just can't imagine how incredibly painful it must be to be you.
Marilyn Monroe says: Why do the people I love always leave me?
Marilyn Monroe says: People always see Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run.
Marilyn Monroe says: Don't forget me.
Colin Clark says: As if I could.
Marilyn Monroe says: Little girls shouldn't be told how pretty they are. They should grow up knowing how much their mother loves them.
Marilyn Monroe says: Thank you for being on my side.
Arthur Jacobs says: Marilyn, is it true you wear nothing in bed but Perfume?
Marilyn Monroe says: Darling, as I'm in England let's say I sleep in nothing but Yardley's lavender.
Marilyn Monroe says: People always see Marilyn Monroe. As soon as they realize I'm not her, they run.
Marilyn Monroe says: Little girls shouldn't be told how pretty they are. They should grow up knowing how much their mother loves them.
Dean says: But I'm not getting old.
Cindy says: Oh really?
Dean says: He's a dummy for dying.
Cindy says: Walter's a dummy for dying?
Dean says: Yeah.
Cindy says: What are you gonna do wise guy?
Bobby says: Not do it.
Dean says: You know I just talked to your Grandmother? That sounds weird, huh?
Cindy says: Yeah!
Dean says: Ok, let me put it into context.
Marilyn Monroe says: First loves is such a sweet Despair
Marilyn Monroe says: First love is such sweet despair.
Marilyn Monroe says: Surprise!
Marilyn Monroe says: All people ever see is Marilyn Monroe.
Alma says: You don't go there to fish.
Alma says: You didn't go up there to fish!
Claire Keen says: Knowing that you don't know is the first step to knowing, you know ?
Claire Keen says: Knowing that you don't know is the first and the most essential step to knowing, you know?
John Tate says: It just occurred to me today that I've never celebrated Halloween before.
Molly Cartwell says: And why's that?
John Tate says: Oh, we've got a psychotic serial killer in the family who loves to butcher people on Halloween, and I just thought it in bad taste to celebrate.
Will Brennan says: Just checking on the Hillcrest remains. You girls okay?
Molly Cartwell says: Good. Thanks, Mr. Brennan.
Sarah Wainthrope says: And how are you, Mr. Brennan? ...Looking cute as ever.
Sarah Wainthrope says: And how are you, Mr. Brennan? Looking cute as ever.
Will Brennan says: Thank you, Sarah. What are you two up to tonight?
Sarah Wainthrope says: Well, we thought we'd hit the town, pick up some guys. You know, drop some Roofies in their drinks. Have a whole date-rape evening.
Will Brennan says: Oh...Sounds good.
Will Brennan says: Oh. Sounds good.
Molly Cartwell says: Care to join us?
Will Brennan says: I can't. I'm, uh, I'm having my nipples pierced...But you two have a good time.
Will Brennan says: I can't. I'm, uh, I'm having my nipples pierced, But you two have a good time.
Will Brennan says: I can't. I'm, uh, I'm having my nipples pierced. But you two have a good time.
John Tate says: I just thought it in bad taste to celebrate.
Molly Cartwell says: So why now?
John Tate says: Mm, because there comes a point in your life where you have to concentrate...on what's right about it.
John Tate says: Mm, because there comes a point in your life where you have to concentrate on what's right about it.
Molly Cartwell says: Really?
John Tate says: And you...are a sterling example...of what's right. And tonight you get my full concentration.
John Tate says: And you are a sterling example, of what's right. And tonight you get my full concentration.
Cindy says: You're scared kid? I got to walk out of this place alone..
Cindy says: You're scared kid? I got to walk out of this place alone.
Dolores says: You want to uncover the truth? You have to let her go! (If not) then you'll never leave this island.
Ethel Barton says: The psych-obvious genius of it. Once you're declared insane, then anything you do is considered part of that insanity.