Leelee Sobieski: American Actress and Former Model
Leelee Sobieski began acting at an early age, eventually being noticed by a talent agent after auditioning for Interview with the Vampire. Though she lost out to Kirsten Dunst for this particular role, Leelee has had an impressive acting career since.
Her big break came when she co-starred in Deep Impact with Elijah Wood in 1998, leading to roles on TV and in films such as Joan of Arc miniseries in 1999 and Uprising movie in 2007.
Leelee Sobieski’s Biography
Liliane Rudabet Gloria Elsveta Sobieski is an American actress and former model who began her entertainment industry career when she was 10 years old. Additionally, she holds several sculpting and painting exhibitions under her belt. At her school cafeteria, a casting agent noticed her. After auditioning for Interview with the Vampire but losing out to Kirsten Dunst, she made her first screen appearance in Reunion (1994 TV movie) before going on to star in A Horse for Danny (1995).
Her breakthrough role came in 1998 with her performance in the science fiction film Deep Impact, earning critical acclaim and propelling her into stardom. Since then she has received multiple awards and nominations for roles such as Deep Impact, Eyes Wide Shut, Joy Ride, and Here on Earth as well as Uprising (2001 miniseries).
Sobieski is known for playing sophisticated and emotionally mature characters in dramas, appearing across genres from horror to romantic comedies and historical pieces – acting alongside stars like Tom Cruise and John Cusack in some films. Sobieski earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her work in Joan of Arc (1999 TV movie).
Sobieski began her career starring in independent movies before appearing regularly as Charlie Grace from 1995-1996. From there she moved onto more mainstream projects like 1997’s Jungle 2 Jungle and 1999’s Never Been Kissed as well as portraying Joan of Arc for two-part miniseries broadcast on television in 1999. That year also marked her work with legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick on Eyes Wide Shut where Sobieski played an attractive young nymphet who tempts Tom Cruise’s character during his scenes of temptation in 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut film where Sobieski played an irresistible young nymphet who tempted Cruise into engagingly kissing Cruise during one scene!
Sobieski made her mark as an actress during the 2000s, appearing in films such as the erotic thriller The Wicker Man and psychological dramas 88 Minutes and Public Enemies. Additionally, she appeared in Neil LaBute’s remake of The Glass House and several action flicks before retiring in 2012 in favor of spending time with family instead of Hollywood acting careers – instead dedicating more of her time towards painting art than acting.
Leelee Sobieski’s Movies
Leelee Sobieski is known for her diverse filmography that spans both the big screen and small-screen projects. First came into prominence through Deep Impact, but truly made an impression statement with roles in Drew Barrymore’s Never Been Kissed and Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. She has since expanded on these achievements through Here on Earth and Joy Ride films while continuing her hone her craft on television shows such as the Joan of Arc and Uprising series.
Hard to imagine now, but once upon a time Leelee Sobieski was an iconic Hollywood figure. After being discovered by a casting agent while eating lunch at her high school cafeteria, Sobieski began her acting career. By the late ’90s she had already found roles in several major movies such as Mimi Leder’s Deep Impact and Michael Bay’s Armageddon; as well as appearing in Joan of Arc miniseries that earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
Sobieski’s next movie flopped at both the box office and critically. Critics roundly condemned 88 Minutes as one of the worst thrillers ever made; established actors like Al Pacino delivered disappointing performances; however, Sobieski stood out with her exceptional work as a gothic girl drawn into an attraction with someone she was only briefly acquainted with due to family connections.
Sobieski had several small roles before starring in this sci-fi melodrama as a mother whose daughter is kidnapped by terrorists who torture her to extract information that will lead to their release from imprisonment. While its plot may seem far-fetched, its special effects make this an engaging film thanks to Sobieski’s impressive performance and impressive special effects.
Sobieski made waves as Joan of Arc in this 1999 TV drama. Sobieski gave an impressive portrayal that cemented her reputation as an accomplished actress. With Jacqueline Bisset, Powers Boothe, and Olimpia Dukakis among the cast, Sobieski further cemented herself as an exceptional performer.
Leelee Sobieski’s Art
Leelee Sobieski, known for appearing in movies such as Deep Impact and Eyes Wide Shut, has transitioned into painting. Her first solo exhibition at London’s Simon Lee Gallery showcases large-scale abstract paintings as well as sculptural pieces.
New York-based artist Susan Ely has an uncanny knack for upstaging expectations. Her conversations can sometimes veer off into unexpected directions; discussions about artistic influences quickly transition into conversations about former pets (a parrot and dog that died tragically), among other subjects. Furthermore, she excels at deflecting questions regarding celebrity status or pressure associated with being famous.
Sobieski has been painting since she was young, earning praise from publications like Vogue for her works. To make time to paint between takes in movie set trailers she would cover them in plastic sheeting – and studied visual arts briefly at Brown in the early 2000s before finding herself immersed in the art world.
While she continued acting during the 2000s, her roles gradually declined; she appeared in movies with obscure titles (L’Idole and Lying) while earning critical acclaim for her performances in TV miniseries Joan of Arc and Uprising. By 2012 she had retired from acting and dedicated herself exclusively to painting.
Sobieski’s style combines elements of both figuration and abstraction, employing striking brushstrokes that suggest movement with vibrant hues that draw the eye in. She excels at capturing light and shadow, often drawing her inspiration from nature itself.
Sobieski’s work has been showcased in multiple shows, and she has collaborated with other artists on an array of projects. Additionally, Sobieski is an accomplished writer; her articles have appeared in Glamour and The New York Times among others. Most recently she published I Am Here: A Guide to Spirituality Through Art which came out in August 2018; currently living in Brooklyn she and Adam Kimmel live together.
Leelee Sobieski’s Personal Life
Leelee Sobieski is an actress of Polish and Swiss descent born and bred in New York City. Her parents, both artists, raised her to speak French fluently. At age 13, Leelee Sobieski was discovered by a talent scout in her school cafeteria and given the chance to audition for Interview with the Vampire; immediately her distinctive husky voice and demeanor marked her out from other actors of her age group.
Leelee Kimmel is an accomplished artist, sculptor, and painter. Her pieces employ vibrant hues with abstracted yet textured forms floating against black or white backgrounds – she has shown these works at various exhibitions in Brooklyn under the name Leelee Kimmel.
Sobieski continued acting well into her twenties, but gradually shed the lightweight high school fare that often came her way and earned herself a reputation for portraying complex, emotionally mature roles such as 1998’s Deep Impact and 1999 cult hit Joan of Arc – two roles which cemented Sobieski’s status as an earnest dramatic force worthy of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
In the early 2000s, she excelled in darker movies such as Joy Ride and The Glass House as well as television guest spots on Drop Dead Diva and The Good Wife as well as landing a starring role on NYC 22 – an all-girls police drama produced by CBS in 2012.
Since marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel (also a US real estate developer) in 2009, Sobieski has concentrated on raising her family, having given birth to Louisanna Ray and Martin.
Sobieski isn’t shy to speak out against the industry she grew up in, whether that means joining or leaving acting roles altogether. Her fans remain hopeful she may return one day, though for now, she spends her time painting, sculpting, practicing yoga and horseback riding, attending workshops for acting skills development as well as working on some exciting projects in development with director David Gordon Green that may see her back onscreen soon enough.
