Amanda Peet is an American actress who rose to prominence after appearing in the 2000 criminal comedy film ‘The Whole Nine Yards’. After appearing in a number of commercials and minor television roles in the 1990s, she made her way into films. She acted in the American comedy film ‘Saving Silverman’ and the American romantic comedy ‘Something’s Gotta Give’. She has also appeared in the popular comedies ‘Griffin & Phoenix’ and ‘The Ex’. Peet has also appeared in films of other genres besides comedy. In the early 2000s, she appeared in the American geopolitical thriller ‘Syriana’ and the science fiction film ‘The X-Files: I Want to Believe. She was academically inclined as a child but decided to become an actress during her undergraduate years. She studied with acting instructor Uta Hagen and began an acting career. She appeared on the American comedy-drama television series ‘Jack & Jill for three years and then on ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’, another comedy-drama series. Peet has also participated in a number of campaigns promoting childhood vaccinations. She received an award from the Independent Investigative Group (IIG) for her work promoting vaccinations.
Youth and Early Life
Amanda Peet was born on January 11, 1972, in New York City to Charles D. Peet, Jr. and Penny Levy. Her mother was a social worker, while her father was a corporate attorney. Both were her maternal great-grandfathers: Samuel Roxy Rothafel, a theatrical impresario, and Samuel Levy, a public official who served as Manhattan Borough President.
Her father was a Quaker and her mother was Jewish; she was reared according to the Quaker tradition. Peet moved to London at the age of seven and returned to New York four years later to attend Friends Seminary, a private day school in Manhattan. She attended Columbia University and earned a bachelor’s degree in American history. After graduating, Peet took four years of acting classes with Uta Hagen and also appeared in Broadway productions.
Amanda Peet’s Career
Amanda Peet appeared in Broadway productions and several commercials, including a Skittles commercial, before entering the film and television industries. She made her film debut in the 1995 American thriller-drama ‘Animal Room’. As a drug addict, she appeared alongside Matthew Lillard and Neil Patrick Harris.
In 1995, she made her television début in an episode of the American police procedural and legal drama series ‘Law and Order’ titled ‘Hot Pursuit’. 1996 saw the release of her two independent films, Winterlude and Virginity. In 1996, she was given the opportunity to star alongside Michelle Marie Pfeiffer and George Clooney in the romantic comedy film “One Fine Day.” In the same year, she appeared in the romantic comedy ‘She’s the One’ alongside Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston.
Peet continued to receive assignments, but she had to wait until 1999 for a starring role in a television series. She was cast in the comedy-drama television series ‘Jack & Jill’. She played the character ‘Jacqueline Barrett in 32 episodes between 1999 and 2001.
Peet appeared in a series of films with small roles at the close of the 1990s; the majority of the films were romantic comedies. During this time period, some of her most popular films were ‘Grind,’ ‘Playing by Heart,’ ‘Simply Irresistible,’ and ‘Body Shots. She then appeared as ‘Debbie Klausman’ in the biographical comedy-drama film ‘Isn’t She Great?’ in 2000.
Peet was chosen to portray ‘Jill St. Claire’ in the 2000 American crime comedy film ‘The Whole Nine Yards’. She worked with Bruce Willis, Matthew Perry, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Natasha Henstridge, among others. Both the critics and the audience lauded Peet’s performance in the film.
In 2000, Amanda Peet played the main role in the ensemble comedy film “Whipped.” She appeared with Beth Ostrosky, Callie Thorne, Bridget Moynahan, and Brian Van Holt. The film was met with divided reviews, but Peet’s work was highly praised.
She also received the Young Hollywood Award for Best New Style Maker and was designated one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. She co-starred with Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, and Jack Black in the 2001 American comedy-drama ‘Saving Silverman’. The film’s content was extensively criticized, and it also received poor reviews.
Early and mid-2000s films featured Amanda Peet in multiple roles. She portrayed ‘Paris’ in the American psychological thriller film ‘Identity’ in 2003. She also appeared opposite Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in the romantic comedy film ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.
Peet co-starred with Ashton Kutcher in the 2005 romantic comedy-drama ‘A Lot Like Love’. Their screen chemistry was extensively discussed, and the audience adored them. The plot of the film revolves around two people whose relationship develops from desire and friendship to a serious romance. Peet was nominated for the Teen Choice Award in the ‘Choice Movie Actress – Comedy’ category.
Amanda Peet was cast as ‘Jordan McDeere,’ a recruited entertainment program president, in the American comedy-drama television series ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’ in 2006. Peet was a part of the show for its complete 22-episode run.
Peet appeared in a number of films during the following decade, portraying small but significant roles. She was featured in ‘The X-Files: I Want to Believe’ and ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’. In addition, she appeared in the American epic science fiction disaster film ‘2012’. She was nominated for the Teen Choice Award in the ‘Choice Movie Actress – Sci-Fi’ category. Her other well-known works include “Please Give,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” and “Trust Me.”
Peet worked on ‘The Good Wife,’ a legal political drama series, in 2012, following a number of guest appearances on other television programs. She also had starring roles in ‘Togetherness’ (as ‘Tina Morris) and ‘Brockmire’ (as ‘Jules’).
Amanda’s Major Opera
Amanda Peet is best known for her performance as ‘Jill St. Claire’ in the mafia-themed comedy ‘The Whole Nine Yards’. In the film, she appeared alongside notable actors such as Bruce Willis, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Natasha Henstridge. The film grossed over US$106 million internationally and was praised by critics. Peet was nominated for the ‘Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy or Romance’ award at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for her performance in the film. She was also nominated for the Teen Choice Awards.
Her performance as ‘Jordan McDeere’ in Aaron Sorkin’s comedy-drama television series ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’ is also a career highlight. She participated in the entire season of the show and performed a leading role. Peet was nominated for the Satellite Award for ‘Best Actress – Television Series Drama’ for her performance on the program.
Amanda’s Personal Life
Amanda Peet is married to the famous American screenwriter David Benioff, who created the critically acclaimed HBO fantasy drama series ‘Game of Thrones’. The couple wed on September 30, 2006, in New York City, Peet’s homeland. Frances “Frankie” Pen Friedman, Henry Peet Friedman, and Molly June Friedman are their three offspring.
Amanda Peet is close acquaintances with ‘Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage and has a close relationship with ‘Jack & Jill’ and ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip’ co-star Sarah Paulson. Peet has been a dedicated advocate and volunteer for childhood vaccinations. She has collaborated closely with ‘Every Child By Two’, a non-profit organization dedicated to the same cause. Independent Investigative Group also presented her with an award in recognition of her work in this field.
Estimated Net Worth
Amanda Peet is an American actress with a $100 million net worth. This is her combined net worth with her producer spouse, David Benioff. Peet began her film career with small roles, but she ultimately rose to prominence and became a highly recognizable Hollywood figure.