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Virginia Madsen Biography

Birth Name:Virginia G. Madsen

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Was nominated for 27 awards for her role as Maya in "Sideways," 18 of which she won
Won a Saturn Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in "Candyman․"
Won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for "Sideways" in 2005
Won a Slate Award for Best Actress at the California Independent Film Festival in 2003 for her performance in "Artworks․"
Was born with heterochromia of the eyes, a genetic trait that results in different colored irises
Was inspired by her mother, an Emmy-winning poet who also worked as a PBS producer, to pursue a career in entertainment
Quote: "[Actors have] got to make a living․ People are going to do the pay the rent movie once in a while․ The important movies don't pay well․"
Quote: "Playing Lisa in 'Fire with Fire' is a perfect example of how I am, intense, impulsive, full of love and ready to risk it all if I have to․ Playing her was incredibly easy, as everything was just so natural․"
Became well-known in the 1980s after appearing in numerous teen cult hits including "Class" and "Hot to Trot" before transitioning to more dramatic roles in the early '90s
Went on to explore other avenues of filmmaking by creating her own production company, Title IX Productions, after attaining A-list status for her role in 2004's "Sideways,"
Admitted to being hypnotized during certain scenes of the horror film "Candyman" so that her pupils would remain dilated for lengthy periods of shooting

Awards

1988ACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1988ACE-Actress in a Dramatic Series: nominated
1989ACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1992Chainsaw Award-Best Actress: winner
1993Saturn Award-Best Actress: winner
1993Best Actress-: winner
1996ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
1996Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2002Bronze Wrangler-Television Feature Film: winner
2003Slate Award-Best Actress: winner
2004ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2004ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
2004BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2004CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2004LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: winner
2004SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2004TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: winner
2004UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2004VVFP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2004WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2005COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2005Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2005Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
2005Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2005Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2005INOCA-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2005INOCA-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005IFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2005OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2005OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2006Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2010Chainsaw Award-Best Actress: nominated
2014Festival Award-Best Actress: winner
2022Festival Award-Best Ensemble Cast - Feature: nominated
2023Best Supporting Actress Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2024Festival Prize-Best Actress: winner
2024UK Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner