Samantha Morton News


Samantha Morton

Contact Celebrity

Contact Samantha Morton

Vermont native's first film, "The Messenger" opens in South Burlington - BurlingtonFreePress.com


Vermont native's first film, "The Messenger" opens in South Burlington
BurlingtonFreePress.com
Ben Foster's more sensitive character, physically and emotionally wounded from Iraqi combat, is attracted to a new widow (portrayed by Samantha Morton) as ...

and more »

Posted on January 22, 2010, 7:49 am

Actresses, directors work through tense moments - Reuters


Actresses, directors work through tense moments
Reuters
This was an issue for Samantha Morton when she agreed to play a supporting role in Owen Moverman's "The Messenger." Because Moverman, a freshman filmmaker, ...

and more »

Posted on January 12, 2010, 1:23 am

'Pornographic' artist Fiona Banner back at Tate Britain - BBC News


'Pornographic' artist Fiona Banner back at Tate Britain
BBC News
In 2007, Banner created a written word nude portrait of actress Samantha Morton. Morton then read out the text in front of a live audience. ...

and more »

Posted on January 20, 2010, 4:54 am

Review | The Messenger (R) *** - MiamiHerald.com


New York Magazine

Review | The Messenger (R) ***
MiamiHerald.com
The Messenger isn't much for plot: It's less effective when it follows Will's tentative romance with a recently widowed mother (Samantha Morton) than when ...
The Contender Q&A: Oren MovermanLos Angeles Times
Movie follows vets post-IraqRed and Black
Messenger travels valley of the shadow of deathWinston-Salem Journal

all 10 news articles »

Posted on January 14, 2010, 11:18 am

'Messenger' delivers scattershot moments of powerful emotion - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


'Messenger' delivers scattershot moments of powerful emotion
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Woody Harrelson's his boss and mentor, and Samantha Morton's a war widow with whom Foster strikes up a budding but taboo -- and ultimately unconvincing ...

and more »

Posted on January 21, 2010, 3:11 pm

Fiona Banner will Create the Tate Britain Duveens Commission 2010 - Art Daily


Fiona Banner will Create the Tate Britain Duveens Commission 2010
Art Daily
For Mirror (2007), Banner made a written portrait of the actress, Samantha Morton, posing nude in the artist's studio. The following night Morton read out ...

and more »

Posted on January 19, 2010, 8:26 pm

Somber 'Messenger' - Arkansas Times


Somber 'Messenger'
Arkansas Times
On one of these trips, they're called on to tell a woman named Olivia (Samantha Morton) about the death of her husband. For whatever reason, the emotionally ...

Posted on January 20, 2010, 2:29 pm

Bootstrapping 'The Messenger' - New York Times (blog)


New York Times (blog)

Bootstrapping 'The Messenger'
New York Times (blog)
A lot in the real world, to be sure, but not very much for moviedom, considering that the cast includes Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton and ...

Posted on January 11, 2010, 4:02 pm

Porn description artist back at the Tate - The Press Association


Porn description artist back at the Tate
The Press Association
For Mirror (2007), she made a written portrait of actress Samantha Morton, posing nude in the artist's studio. Morton read out the description, ...

and more »

Posted on January 18, 2010, 7:55 am

The Messenger, Up in the Air speak profoundly to today's troubled times - SHSU Houstonian Online


The Messenger, Up in the Air speak profoundly to today's troubled times
SHSU Houstonian Online
The performances, especially an exceptionally truthful turn by Ben Foster and great feats of acting from Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, ...

Posted on January 19, 2010, 12:47 am

Samantha Morton Biography

Samantha Morton
extracted from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Samantha Morton

Samantha Morton, February 2008
Born Samantha Jane Morton1
13 May 1977 (1977-05-13) (age 32)12
Clifton, Nottingham, England, United Kingdom1
Occupation Actress, director, screenwriter
Years active 1991 – present
Domestic partner(s) Harry Holm

Samantha Jane Morton (born 13 May 1977) is an English actress and film director.

A campaigner for social justice, she is an ambassador for the Save the Children organisation.2 Because of her acting and commitment to political activism, a Sunday Times journalist described her as "a working-class Vanessa Redgrave".3

Morton has twice been nominated for an Academy Award, twice for a BAFTA Award, twice for a Golden Globe and once each for an Emmy Award and SAG Award. Morton's acting has been recognised by several organizations, including the London Critics Circle, Toronto Film Critics Association, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Evening Standard British Film Awards, the European Film Awards, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award, the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, and the Satellite Awards.

Contents

Early life

Morton is the third child born in Clifton, Nottingham to Peter Morton and Pamela Freebury, a factory worker.45 She has a brother and a sister — Marcus (born 1971) is a Royal Marine,5 Penny (born 1972) works with children with learning disabilities5 — and six half-siblings from her parents' relationships subsequent to their 1979 divorce.6 At the age of seven, Morton was made a ward of court and never lived with her natural parents again.3 The next nine years were spent in and out of foster care and children's homes. She attended West Bridgford Comprehensive School,2 and, for a while, Haywood Comprehensive School, and was known for always getting in trouble.citation needed Under the effects of drugs, she threatened an older girl who had been bullying her.7 She was convicted of making threats to kill.8 She served 18 weeks in an attendance centre.78 Morton said in an interview, "as a child I had a serious anger problem, but from the age of 16 I've been trying to turn bad things into positives".3 She had an abortion at age 16.7 After leaving care, she lived in a hostel for the homeless and worked on a Youth Training Scheme in hairdressing.3

Career

Morton took up acting as a child. She joined the Central Junior Television Workshop when she was thirteen and was soon being offered small-screen roles. In 1991 she was cast as Clare Anderson in the first series of Lucy Gannon's Soldier Soldier and also made a guest appearance, as Mandy, in an episode of Boon — both were Central TV productions.

Moving to London at sixteen,2 Morton applied to numerous drama schools, including RADA, without success.2 As a result she received no further formal acting training.9 Despite this she made her stage debut at the Royal Court Theatre,2 and continued her television career with a guest appearance on Peak Practice and an impressive performance in a memorable episode of Cracker: "The Big Crunch".

A controversial role in the second series of Kay Mellor's successful Band of Gold (1995) resulted in a lot of tabloid interest, some of which focused on Morton's upbringing and personal life. Further television roles followed, including parts in period dramas including Emma, Jane Eyre and The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Morton's reputation was growing fast and she was now able to move into films. The well-received Under the Skin (1997) continued to raise her profile and impressed Woody Allen enough for him to cast her in Sweet and Lowdown (1999). Morton gave an acclaimed performance and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000.10 In 2002 Morton won the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress for her work in Morvern Callar, followed by a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for In America in 2004.

Morton has also appeared in a number of music videos. She worked with director Chris Cunningham for English garage rock band The Horrors' debut video, "Sheena Is a Parasite"; and played a mermaid opposite Larry Mullen in the Anton Corbijn-directed promotional video for U2's "Electrical Storm".

Morton played the Moors Murderess Myra Hindley in a television film Longford (2006). Set between 1967 and 1997, the film depicts the relationship between the infamous child killer and Lord Longford, the politician who spent years campaigning for her release. Morton was severely criticised by the relatives of the children who were killed by Hindley and Ian Brady but she insisted, "It is my duty as a performer to raise issues...we're afraid to look at".11 Morton received a 2007 Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe for her performance in the film, both for Best Supporting Actress.

Her directorial debut, the semi-autobiographical Channel 4 drama The Unloved, written in collaboration with Tony Grisoni, was first broadcast on 17 May 2009.1213

Personal life

Morton has two daughters: Esme (born 5 February 2000 in London),6 with actor Charlie Creed-Miles; and Edie (born 4 January 2008 in London), with filmmaker Harry Holm.2 Morton is engaged to Holm, the son of actor Ian Holm. She lives in Spitalfields, East London.14

It was reported, in March 2008, that Morton had suffered a stroke two years earlier. As a result she was said to have been close to death and had to relearn how to walk and talk.151617

Whilst attending a fundraiser for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) in January 2009, she vowed to never work for the BBC again after their refusal to broadcast an emergency charity appeal for the victims of Israel's attack on Gaza on 27 December 2008. She was later joined by Tam Dean Burn, Pauline Goldmsith, Peter Mullan and Alison Peebles who also threatened to boycott the Corporation.18

March 2009 saw Morton return to her home town to show her support for its children's homes and protest against the threatened closure, by Nottingham City Council, of one of the four establishments with 24 social-care staff facing redundancy.19

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Notes
1997 This Is the Sea Hazel Stokes
1999 Sweet and Lowdown Hattie Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture
Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Jesus' Son Michelle
Dreaming of Joseph Lees Eva Evening Standard Award British Film Award for Best Actress
2000 Pandaemonium Sara Coleridge
2002 Minority Report Agatha Online Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress
Saturn Award Award for Best Supporting Actress
Morvern Callar Morven British Independent Film Award for Best Actress
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated — European Film Awards for Best Actress
2003 In America Sarah Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female
Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actress-Drama
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by A Cast - Motion Picture
Nominated — British Independent Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Code 46 Maria Gonzáles
2004 Enduring Love Claire
2005 River Queen Sarah O'Brian Nominated — New Zealand Scream Awards for Best Actress
The Libertine Elizabeth Barry
Lassie Sarah Carraclough
2006 Free Jimmy Sonia
2007 Expired Claire
Control Deborah Curtis Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — London Film Circle for British Actress of the Year
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Mary, Queen of Scots
Mister Lonely Marilyn Monroe
2008 Synecdoche, New York Hazel Gotham Award for Best Cast tied with Vicky Christina Barcelona
2009 The Messenger Olivia Pitterson San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress
2012 John Carter of Mars Sola (voice)

Television

Non-acting roles

  • The Unloved ... Writer and Director; 17 May 2009, Channel 4

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

  • 2000: Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Sweet and Lowdown — nominee
  • 2004: Best Actress in a Leading Role: In America — nominee

BAFTA

  • 2007: TV Award for Best Actress: Longford — nominee
  • 2008: Film Award for Best Supporting Actress: Control — nominee

Golden Globe

  • 2000: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Sweet and Lowdown — nominee
  • 2008: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Longford — winner

References and notes

  1. ^ a b c "Birth Registration Details" Ancestry.co.uk (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Addley, Esther; "'I think she is attracted to women who have difficulties...'" Guardian.co.uk, 5 October 2007 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  3. ^ a b c d White, Lesley; "Samatha Morton uses her life for The Unloved" TimesOnline.co.uk, 10 March 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  4. ^ "Samantha Morton Biography (1977–)" FilmReference.com (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  5. ^ a b c Martin, Stephen; "I may have left Sam in care but she still flies me First Class to Hollywood" Sunday Mirror, 30 June 2002 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  6. ^ a b "Biography: Samantha Morton" Yahoo.com (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  7. ^ a b c Hattenstone, Simon; "I was abused for a long time and I retaliated" Guardian.co.uk, 25 May 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  8. ^ a b "Actress Samantha Morton was charged with attempted murder aged 14" Telegraph.co.uk, 25 Apr 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  9. ^ Wazir, Burhan; "Young, gifted and gabby" Guardian.co.uk, 18 June 2000 (Retrieved 30 June 2009)
  10. ^ Morton is the second actress to be Oscar-nominated for a non-speaking role — Jane Wyman won the 1948 Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a deaf rape victim in Johnny Belinda.
  11. ^ Barnes, Anthony; "'Yes, I'm playing Myra Hindley. It's my duty to raise things we're afraid of'" Independent.co.uk, 8 January 2006 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  12. ^ Dowell, Ben; "TV ratings: Samantha Morton directing debut draws 2 million viewers" Guardian.co.uk, 18 May 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  13. ^ Gilbert, Gerard; "Look back in anger: Samantha Morton makes her directorial debut" Independent.co.uk, 16 May 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  14. ^ Wiseman, Eve; "Angela's bashes" Guardian.co.uk, 20 July 2008 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  15. ^ Thorpe, Vanessa; Capper, Andy; "Samantha tells of secret stroke" Guardian.co.uk, 10 March 2008 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  16. ^ Yaqoob, Tahira; "The secret stroke that nearly killed me, by Samantha Morton" DailyMail.co.uk, 9 March 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  17. ^ Alleyne, Richard; "Samantha Morton reveals brush with death" Telegraph.co.uk, 9 March 2008 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  18. ^ Hemley, Matthew; "Actors threaten to boycott BBC over Gaza aid appeal ban" TheStage.co.uk, 26 January 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)
  19. ^ "Samantha Morton supports threatened children's home" ThisisNottingham.co.uk, 9 March 2009 (Retrieved: 26 August 2009)

External links