Abigail Breslin emerged as a major screen presence at age 10, following her portrayal of Olive Hoover in the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine. This performance secured an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, establishing her among the youngest actors ever to receive such a recognition within that category.
Early Career and Film Beginnings
Born in 1996 in New York City, Breslin began appearing in commercials at age three, starting with a Toys R Us spot. Her film debut occurred in 2002. She subsequently appeared in Raising Helen and Chestnut: Hero of Central Park in 2004, and held a small role in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. During this period, she also appeared in the independent feature Keane, where her performance as Kira Bedik earned critical praise for its humanity.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Breakthrough and Critical Success
The success of Little Miss Sunshine, which grossed $100 million worldwide, propelled Breslin to national attention. Beyond her Oscar nomination, she earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her role as a beauty pageant contestant. Following this, she balanced a variety of mainstream film projects. Her work in 2007 included the romantic comedy No Reservations and the drama Definitely, Maybe. In 2008, she starred as the lead in Nim's Island and the title character in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.
Transition to Adult Roles
Breslin continued her career through 2009 with appearances in My Sister's Keeper and the horror comedy Zombieland. In 2010, she made her Broadway debut portraying Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Her film work during the 2010s included Rango, The Call, August: Osage County, Ender's Game, Maggie, and Zombieland: Double Tap. She also ventured into television, appearing as Libby Putney in the Fox series Scream Queens from 2015 to 2016. In 2021, she appeared in the film Stillwater.
Fast facts
- Born: 1996, New York City
- Broadway debut: 2010, The Miracle Worker
- Screen Actors Guild Award winner
- Citizenship: United States
- Occupations: actor, model
- Named after Abigail Adams
Questions readers ask
What was Abigail Breslin's first acting role?
Her first acting role was in the 2002 film Signs.
For which film did she receive an Academy Award nomination?
She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Olive Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine.
Achievements
- Began acting at age three; film debut at five in 'Signs'
- Oscar nomination at age 10 for 'Little Miss Sunshine' (2006)
- Starred in 'Zombieland' and 'August: Osage County'
- Continued acting and music into adulthood
