Births on February 10

Chloë Grace Moretz, American actress

Chloë Grace Moretz, born on February 10, 1997, is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her versatility and impactful performances across various genres. Her extensive career began at a remarkably young age, showcasing a talent that quickly propelled her into the Hollywood spotlight and cemented her status as a compelling presence on screen.

Early Career and Breakthrough Roles

Moretz commenced her acting journey as a child, building a robust filmography with a diverse array of early roles that highlighted her nascent talent. These initial projects laid the groundwork for her future success, spanning television dramas and a variety of film genres:

• The Amityville Horror (2005): A remake of the iconic supernatural horror film, marking one of her earliest significant screen appearances in a major motion picture.
• Desperate Housewives (2006–07): A recurring role in the popular and critically acclaimed drama series, which offered her early exposure to a broad television audience and showcased her dramatic capabilities.
• The Eye (2008): Another venture into the supernatural horror genre, further expanding her early experience in suspenseful narratives.
• The Poker House (2008): A drama film that allowed her to explore more complex and nuanced character portrayals early in her career.
• Dirty Sexy Money (2007–08): A drama series where she continued to hone her acting skills alongside established cast members.
• 500 Days of Summer (2009): A memorable supporting role in this influential romantic comedy, celebrated for its unconventional narrative structure and fresh take on modern relationships.
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010): A comedic turn in the children's film adaptation of the best-selling book series, demonstrating her ability to perform in family-friendly fare.

Her definitive breakthrough arrived in 2010, marking a pivotal moment in her career with two critically acclaimed performances that brought her widespread recognition and established her as a formidable young talent:

• Kick-Ass (2010): Moretz captivated audiences and critics alike as Hit-Girl, a formidable, foul-mouthed vigilante in this groundbreaking superhero film. Her portrayal was lauded for its intensity, maturity, and unexpected depth, challenging conventional perceptions of child actors and action heroes. The film itself was praised for its bold subversion of traditional superhero tropes, and Moretz's performance was a key highlight.
• Let Me In (2010): Simultaneously, she delivered a haunting and emotionally resonant performance as a complex child vampire in this acclaimed horror film. Her nuanced depiction garnered significant praise for its psychological complexity and ability to convey both profound vulnerability and an ancient, predatory nature.

Established Stardom and Diverse Projects (2011-2016)

Following her breakthrough, Moretz continued to select challenging and varied roles, working with celebrated directors and across multiple genres, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile actress in demand for high-profile projects:

• Hugo (2011): She starred in Martin Scorsese's visually stunning historical adventure film, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and celebrated for its intricate storytelling, innovative 3D cinematography, and homage to early cinema.
• Dark Shadows (2012): Collaborating with director Tim Burton, she featured in this gothic horror comedy, showcasing her ability to seamlessly fit into distinctive stylistic worlds often characterized by dark whimsy.
• 30 Rock (2011-2013): A recurring guest role in the Emmy-winning satirical sitcom, demonstrating her sharp comedic timing and ability to hold her own in an ensemble cast of seasoned comedians.
• Kick-Ass 2 (2013): She reprised her iconic role as Hit-Girl, continuing the character's narrative arc and further cementing her place as a memorable figure in the superhero genre.
• Carrie (2013): Moretz took on the challenging titular role in the supernatural horror film remake of Stephen King's classic novel, delivering a powerful performance as the telekinetic teenager grappling with ostracization and her burgeoning powers.
• Clouds of Sils Maria (2014): An award-winning drama film where she starred alongside Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart. This film garnered significant critical acclaim, including nominations at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting her involvement in sophisticated arthouse cinema.
• If I Stay (2014): A lead role in this popular teen romantic drama, which resonated deeply with young adult audiences and showcased her ability to convey profound emotional depth.
• The Equalizer (2014): She starred opposite Denzel Washington in this vigilante action film, demonstrating her ability to hold her own in high-stakes thrillers and contribute to a commercially successful franchise.

Her dedication to diverse projects continued with roles such as:

• Dark Places (2015): A mystery thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Gillian Flynn, where she portrayed a complex character involved in a reopened murder investigation.
• The 5th Wave (2016): A lead role in this science fiction action film adapted from the popular young adult novel series, further expanding her presence in blockbuster franchises with a dystopian theme.
• Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016): A notable comedic performance in this sequel, demonstrating her range across lighter fare and ensemble comedies.

Career Reassessment and Recent Endeavors

In 2016, Chloë Grace Moretz made a significant public announcement regarding a shift in her career strategy, declaring that she was "re-assessing" her choice of roles and stepping back from several impending projects. This decision reflected a desire to pursue more personally meaningful and artistically fulfilling work, rather than simply accepting roles for the sake of working, aiming for greater control over her creative path and image.

One of the most notable projects she withdrew from was Universal Studios' highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. This strategic pause allowed her to refocus her energy and artistic vision, leading to a new phase of her career marked by impactful and often critically lauded performances:

• The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018): A powerful drama film that earned the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Moretz's lead performance in this film, which addresses sensitive themes of LGBTQ+ youth and conversion therapy, was widely praised for its sensitivity, strength, and contribution to important social narratives.
• Greta (2018): A gripping psychological drama thriller directed by Neil Jordan, where she delivered a compelling performance opposite the esteemed Isabelle Huppert, exploring themes of obsession and psychological manipulation.
• Shadow in the Cloud (2020): An action horror film that saw her take on a physically demanding role within a unique, contained setting, blending elements of suspense, creature feature, and aerial combat.
• Mother/Android (2021): A science fiction film where she explored post-apocalyptic themes and complex human-robot dynamics, portraying a pregnant woman navigating a world overrun by artificial intelligence.

Beyond Live-Action: Voice Acting and Stage Work

Chloë Grace Moretz has also lent her distinctive voice to animated projects, bringing beloved characters to life for new audiences and expanding her performance repertoire:

• The Addams Family (2019) and The Addams Family 2 (2021): She voiced the iconic, deadpan character of Wednesday Addams in these animated feature films, capturing the essence of the beloved, macabre character with her unique delivery and contributing to a successful animated franchise.

Demonstrating her commitment to the craft of acting across different mediums, Moretz has also ventured into live theater:

• The Library (2014): Her starring role in the original off-Broadway production at The Public Theater in New York City marked her significant stage debut. The Public Theater is renowned for its influential and often groundbreaking theatrical productions, making her participation a notable milestone in her diverse career and a testament to her dedication to various forms of acting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chloë Grace Moretz

When was Chloë Grace Moretz born?

Chloë Grace Moretz was born on February 10, 1997, making her an American actress who began her extensive career at a very young age.

What was Chloë Grace Moretz's breakthrough role?

Her definitive breakthrough came in 2010 with two critically acclaimed performances: as the formidable Hit-Girl in the superhero film Kick-Ass and as a complex child vampire in the horror film Let Me In. Both roles garnered significant praise and established her as a major talent.

Why did Chloë Grace Moretz reassess her career in 2016?

In 2016, Moretz publicly announced she was "re-assessing" her choice of roles and taking a step back from several projects. This decision was driven by a desire to pursue more artistically fulfilling work, focus on personal growth, and have greater control over her career direction. Notably, she withdrew from Universal Studios' live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Has Chloë Grace Moretz performed in live theater?

Yes, Chloë Grace Moretz made her stage debut in 2014, starring in the original off-Broadway production of The Library at The Public Theater in New York City, a highly respected institution in the theatrical world.

What animated characters has Chloë Grace Moretz voiced?

She has notably lent her voice to the iconic character of Wednesday Addams in the animated feature films The Addams Family (2019) and its sequel, The Addams Family 2 (2021).