Edward Norton Biography

After graduating from Yale University in 1991, Edward Norton pursued a career in acting and quickly established himself as a talented performer, receiving numerous accolades for his work. Over the years, Norton has appeared in a wide range of films, including Primal Fear (1996), American History X (1998), and Birdman (2014), all of which earned him Academy Award nominations. In addition to these standout performances, Norton has also starred in a variety of other notable films, including Everyone Says I Love You (1996), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Fight Club (1999), Red Dragon (2002), 25th Hour (2002), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Illusionist (2006), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Beyond his work as an actor, Norton is also known for his efforts as a filmmaker and activist.

Early Life

Born on August 18, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts, Edward Harrison Norton grew up in Columbia, Maryland. His mother, Lydia Robinson “Robin” Rouse, worked as a foundation executive and an English teacher, while his father, Edward Norton Sr., was a former federal prosecutor during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

Career

In 1996, Edward Norton burst onto the film scene with his debut performance in Primal Fear, garnering an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. The same year, Norton also appeared in two other films, Everyone Says I Love You and The People vs. Larry Flynt. Two years later, Norton delivered a standout performance in American History X (1998), playing a reformed neo-Nazi, a role that earned him another Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actor. Norton’s dedication to his craft was again evident in the physically demanding role he played in the David Fincher-directed film, Fight Club (1999), which required him to learn boxing, taekwondo, and grappling. Despite a mixed reception upon its release, Fight Club has since earned cult status and critical acclaim.

Profile

• Birth Name: Edward Harrison Norton
• Nickname: Ed
• Born: August 18, 1969
• Birth Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
• Star Sign: Leo

Family

• Spouse: Shauna Robertson (m. 2012)
• Siblings: Molly Norton, Jim Norton
• Father: Edward Norton Sr.
• Mother: Lydia Robinson “Robin” (Rouse)

Filmography

• 2021: The French Dispatch
• 2019: Motherless Brooklyn
• 2019: Alita: Battle Angel
• 2018: Gotti
• 2018: Isle of Dogs
• 2017: The Guardian Brothers
• 2016: Collateral Beauty
• 2016: Sausage Party
• 2014: Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
• 2014: The Grand Budapest Hotel
• 2012: The Bourne Legacy
• 2012: Moonrise Kingdom
• 2012: The Dictator
• 2010: Stone
• 2009: Modern Family (TV Series)
• 2009: Leaves of Grass
• 2009: The Invention of Lying
• 2008: Pride and Glory
• 2008: The Incredible Hulk (Video Game)
• 2008: The Incredible Hulk
• 2006: The Painted Veil
• 2006: The Illusionist
• 2005: Down in the Valley
• 2005: Kingdom of Heaven
• 2004: After the Sunset
• 2003: The Italian Job
• 2002: 25th Hour
• 2002: Red Dragon
• 2002: Frida
• 2002: Death to Smoochy
• 2001: The Score
• 2000: Keeping the Faith
• 1999: Fight Club
• 1998: American History X
• 1998: Rounders
• 1996: The People vs. Larry Flynt
• 1996: Everyone Says I Love You
• 1996: Primal Fear

In addition to his successful career in the film industry, Edward Norton is also deeply committed to environmental and social causes. He serves on the board of trustees for Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit organization focused on developing affordable housing that was founded by his grandfather, James Rouse. Furthermore, Norton is the president of the American arm of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, a conservation organization working to protect wildlife and empower local communities in East Africa.

Personal Life

He dated actress Salma Hayek from 1999 to 2003. He married Shauna Robertson in 2012. They have one son, Atlas (born March 2013).