Amy Irving Biography

Amy Davis Irving is an American stage, film, and TV actress known for her impressive career in both movies and television. From her debut in the horror film ‘Carrie’ to her memorable performances in ‘Yentl’, ‘Traffic’, and ‘Adam’, Irving has showcased her versatility and talent. She has also made a mark on television, appearing in shows like ‘House’ and ‘The Good Wife’. Additionally, Irving has a strong presence on stage, with notable performances in Broadway productions such as ‘Amadeus’ and ‘Broken Glass’. Her contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her nominations for prestigious awards like the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. Beyond her professional achievements, Irving is a loving mother and has been married three times.

Quick Facts

  • Also Known As: Amy Davis Irving
  • Age: 70 Years, 70 Year Old Females
  • Family:
    • Spouse/Ex-: Kenneth Bowser (m. 2007), Bruno Barreto (m. 1996–2005), Steven Spielberg (m. 1985–1989)
    • Father: Jules Irving
    • Mother: Priscilla Pointer
    • Children: Gabriel Barreto, Max Spielberg
  • Singers
  • Actresses
  • Height: 5’4″ (163 cm), 5’4″ Females
  • Ancestry: Russian American
  • Notable Alumni: American Conservatory Theater
  • U.S. State: California
  • City: Palo Alto, California
  • More Facts
  • Education: London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art, American Conservatory Theater

Childhood & Early Life

Amy Irving was born as Amy Davis Irving on 10 September 1953, in Palo Alto, California. She is the daughter of veteran actress, Priscilla Pointer, and director, Jules Irving. She has a sister, Katie, who is a singer and teacher of hearing-impaired children. She also has a brother, David, who is a writer as well as a director.

She was raised in San Francisco and began acting onstage as a kid. She made her first stage appearance in the play ‘Rumplestiltskin’ when she was just nine months old. Then at the age of two, she played a bit-part character in a play directed by her father. She later had a walk-on role in the Broadway production ‘The Country Wife’ at the age of 12.

She graduated from the Professional Children’s School located in New York City, and also attended the American Conservatory Theater. She was trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art as well.

Career

During the 1960s and the 1970s, Amy Irving performed in several stage productions. At the age of 17, she made her off-Broadway debut.

In 1975, she made her debut on television with a guest role in the drama ‘The Rookies’. The same year, she appeared in an episode each of ‘Police Woman’ and ‘Happy Days.’

The actress made her big screen debut with the 1976 flick ‘Carrie’. She then simultaneously did the TV movies ‘James Dean’, ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Panache’. Irving appeared as Lily Ramsey in the film ‘Honeysuckle Rose’. During 1981 and 1982, she performed in the Broadway production of ‘Amadeus’.

After this, she played a role in the drama series ‘The Far Pavilions’. In 1986, she played Anna Anderson in the television movie ‘Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna’. The American beauty was then cast in the off-Broadway play ‘The Road to Mecca’ in 1988. Two years later, she did the movie ‘A Show of Force’.

From 1991 to 1997, she worked in numerous movies, such as ‘Benefit of the Doubt’, ‘Kleptomania’, ‘Carried Away’, ‘I’m Not Rappaport’ and ‘Deconstructing Harry’. During this time, Irving also became a part of the plays ‘Broken Glass’ and ‘Three Sisters’.

In the year 1998, she had a voice role in an episode of the drama ‘Stories from My Childhood’. She also appeared as FBI Agent Jean Devlin in the flick ‘One Tough Cop’ the same year.

In the late 1990s, the actress guest-starred in a handful of TV shows including ‘Spin City’ and ‘American Masters’. During this time she also got featured in the films ‘The Confession’, ‘Blue Ridge Fall’, ‘Traffic’ and ‘Thirteen Conversations about One Thing’.

Following this, Irving joined the cast of the drama series ‘Alias’ in 2002. Three years later, she played Alison Callaway in the film ‘Hide and Seek’. From 2006 to 2007, she acted on stage, in the Broadway production of ‘The Coast of Utopia’.

In 2008, she played a role in the off-Broadway play titled ‘The Waters of March’. Later on, she had a role in the 2009 flick ‘Adam’. Irving then starred as Melanie in the drama ‘Zero Hour’ in 2013.

Major Works

In 1976 and 1977, Amy Irving played the role of Emily Pawlfrey Massengale in the series ‘Once an Eagle’. The series was about the careers of two military men who were active in both the World War I and the World War II.

In 1988, the actress portrayed the character of Isabelle Grossman in the flick ‘Crossing Delancey’. The movie, which was directed by Joan Micklin Silver, proved to be a moderate success and earned Irving a Golden Globe nomination.

Awards & Achievements

Amy Irving earned an Academy Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actress for her role in the flick ‘Yentl.’

She received Golden Globe nominations for her work in the movies ‘Crossing Delancey’ and ‘Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna.’

She won the ‘Obie Award’ for her on-stage performance in the play ‘The Road to Mecca.’

Personal Life

From 1976 to 1980, Amy Irving dated film director Steven Spielberg. She then had a brief love relationship with actor Willie Nelson.

Irving and Spielberg then got back together and married in 1985. However, they finally divorced in 1989.

In the year 1990, the actress got romantically involved with Brazilian director Bruno Barreto. The couple got married in 1996 and parted ways in 2005. After this, Irving married documentary filmmaker Kenneth Bowser Jr. in 2007.

She has two sons, Max Samuel and Gabriel Davis, with Spielberg and Barreto respectively.

Trivia

Amy Irving is the niece of actor Richard Irving.

She studied at the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan.

She has acted with her real-life mother in seven films: ‘Carrie,’ ‘Honeysuckle Rose,’ ‘The Competition,’ ‘Micki + Maude,’ ‘Rumpelstiltskin,’ ‘A Show of Force’ and ‘Carried Away.’

Irving is one of the two artistes who hold the distinction of receiving an Oscar nomination as well as a Razzie Award nomination for the same performance.

She was the winner of the ‘Worst Supporting Actress’ at the 1981 annual Razzie Awards for her flick ‘Honeysuckle Rose.’

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