Elizabeth Olsen is an American actress who is most known for her portrayal in the highly acclaimed film ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ for which she received widespread recognition. She has also appeared in films such as ‘Silent House’ and ‘Godzilla.’ She was introduced to show business at a young age as the younger sister of actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. She began acting at an early age, making cameo appearances in her sisters’ films. Her parents recognized her talent and enrolled her in ballet and singing training. She had no question in her mind as a child that she was destined to be a performer. She went to the ‘New York University Tisch School of the Arts’ to further her education after graduating from high school. She also studied for a semester in Russia at the ‘Moscow Art Theatre School.’ She appeared in multiple films before graduating from ‘Tisch,’ demonstrating her ambition as a young woman. Olsen has effectively transitioned from a kid star to an adult actor. She is beautiful, confident, and brilliant. Her career took off after she was nominated for the ‘Critics’ Choice Movie Award’ for ‘Best Actress’ and the ‘Independent Spirit Award’ for ‘Best Female Lead’ for her role in the film ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene.’ When she was cast as Sarah in the horror film remake ‘Silent House,’ she reached new heights. She continues to develop as a performer, taking on a variety of roles that are both flexible and challenging.
Childhood and Adolescence
Elizabeth Olsen was born in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, on February 16, 1989, to Jarnette Olsen, a personal manager and former dancer with the ‘LA Ballet,’ and David Olsen, a real estate developer and mortgage banker. In 1996, her parents divorced.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, her older twin sisters, both became famous at an early age. Trent Olsen is her older brother, and Jake Olsen and Courtney Taylor Olsen are her younger half-siblings.
She began acting at an early age after receiving singing and dance training as a child. She had minor appearances in ‘How the West Was Fun’ and the straight-to-video series ‘The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley’ by the age of 11, and she had appeared in minor roles in ‘How the West Was Fun’ and the straight-to-video series ‘The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley’ by the age of 11. Because of her interpretation of these roles, she gained acting experience and began auditioning for new projects while still in fourth grade.
From kindergarten to grade 12, she attended ‘Campbell Hall School’ in North Hollywood, California.
She went on to the ‘New York University Tisch School of the Arts’ after graduation. Through the ‘MATS’ program at the ‘Eugene O’Neill Theatre Centre,’ she spent a semester in Moscow, Russia, at the ‘Moscow Art Theatre School.’ After nearly six years of interrupted study, she received her diploma in March 2013.
Career of Elizabeth Olsen
When she was four years old, Elizabeth Olsen began her professional acting career, participating in six of Mary-Kate and Ashley’s productions. She also tried out for the movie ‘Spy Kids.’
‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ a film she starred in in 2011, was her first prominent role. Her performance earned her great accolades and multiple prizes from reviewers. She portrayed Martha, a young woman who suffers from hallucinations and paranoia after escaping from an abusive cult in order to return to her family.
She then played Sarah in ‘Silent House,’ a psychological horror film. Although the film received mixed reviews, her acting was praised. She also starred in Carlotta’s ‘The Queen’ music video.
She then appeared in the films ‘Liberal Arts,’ directed by Josh Radnor, and ‘Red Lights,’ directed by Rodrigo Cortés. In 2012, both films were released.
She featured alongside Dakota Fanning in the film ‘Very Good Girls’ in 2013.
She co-starred in the American version of the South Korean film ‘Oldboy’ in the same year, as Marie, a young social worker. Later same year, she appeared in the film ‘Kill Your Darlings,’ in which she played author Edie Parker.
She starred alongside Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the 2014 film ‘Godzilla.’
In 2015, she starred as ‘Scarlet Witch’ in the sequel to ‘The Avengers,’ ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2012).
In the 2015 biographical drama film ‘I Saw the Light,’ directed by Marc Abraham, Olsen played Audrey Williams, Hank Williams’ wife.
In ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ she resumed her role as Scarlet Witch. The film had its global premiere in Los Angeles on April 12, 2016, and was released in the United States on May 6, 2016. ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ were international hits that grossed a lot of money at the movie office. The film ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ grossed $1.4 billion worldwide.
She appeared in films such as ‘Wind River’ and ‘Ingrid Goes West’ in 2017.
She also appeared in the 2018 sequels “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
‘Disney’ has stated that Olsen and Paul Bettany will feature in a ‘Marvel’ television series. In April 2019, the show’s title was announced as ‘WandaVision.’
Achievements & Awards
For her role in the critically acclaimed film ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ Elizabeth Olsen was nominated for 18 major prizes in 2011. She earned six accolades, including the Chicago Film Critics Association’s ‘Most Promising Performer,’ the Florida Film Critics Circle’s ‘Pauline Kael Breakout Award,’ and the Ghent International Film Festival’s ‘Special Mention Award.’ The ‘Los Angeles Film Critics Association’ gave her the ‘New Generation Award,’ while the ‘Vancouver Film Critics Circle’ gave her the ‘Best Actress Award,’ and the ‘Alliance of Women Film Journalists’ gave her the ‘Best Breakthrough Performance Award.’
She was nominated for the ‘BAFTA Rising Star Award’ in 2013. Her portrayal in ‘Silent House’ also earned her the ‘Best Leading Actress Award’ at the ‘Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.’
Her performance in the film ‘I Saw the Light’ earned her the ‘Hollywood Rising Star Award’ at the ‘Deauville American Film Festival’ in 2015.
For the film ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ she was nominated for a ‘Teen Choice Award’ in 2016. For her role as Leigh Shaw in the film ‘Sorry for Your Loss,’ she was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2019.
Personal History and Legacy
Boyd Holbrook, a co-actor with whom she began dating in September 2012, proposed to her in March 2014. In January 2015, however, they split up and called off their engagement.
Estimated Net Worth
Elizabeth Olsen has a net worth of $11 million.
Trivia
Their mother is of English heritage, while their father is of Norwegian descent, hence the Olsen siblings are of mixed ethnicity.
The luxury fashion label ‘Elizabeth and James,’ founded by Elizabeth Olsen’s elder sisters, was partly named after her.
She declares herself to be an atheist.
She tried out for the role of Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy drama ‘Game of Thrones.’