Connie Nielsen

Photo of Connie Nielsen

Biography

The Danish actress received her start in French and Italian projects, but broke through internationally with a small role as Al Pacino's evil temptress sidekick in "The Devil's Advocate" (1997). She notched memorable supporting roles in "Rushmore" (1998), "Soldier" (1998) and "Mission to Mars" (2000) before landing the female lead of the Oscar-winning "Gladiator" (2000) opposite Russell Crowe. Her searing turn as the proud-but-powerless …
Read More »

Job Title

Actor

Born

Connie Inge-Lise Nielsen on July 3, 1965 in Denmark

Career Milestones

2007

Cast as a journalist in the Iraq war drama, "The Situation"

2006

Appeared in several episodes of "Law & Order: SVU," (NBC) as a temporarily replacement for a pregnant Mariska Hargitay

2005

Cast opposite John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton in the "Ice Harvest," a dark comedy directed by Harold Ramis

2005

Starred as a woman who comes between two brothers in "Brødre/Brothers"

2005

Appeared in "The Great Raid," based on a true story of the liberation of 500 POWs during WWII

2003

Cast opposite John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in "Basic"

2003

Female lead in the action feature "The Hunted"

2002

Cast as a wife and mother who becomes the object of a stalker in "One Hour Photo"; screened at Sundance

2000

Cast as Lucilla, the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, in the epic "Gladiator"

2000

Portrayed the lone female member of a "Mission to Mars"

1998

Had small role as Mason Gamble's attractive mother in the quirky comedy "Rushmore"

1998

Co-starred with Kurt Russell in "Soldier"

1997

Breakthrough screen role as Satan's daughter in "The Devil's Advocate"

Settled in NYC

1994

While living in Paris, auditioned for Lawrence Kasdan for a role in "French Kiss"; was not cast by Kasdan who suggested she move to the USA

1993

American TV debut, the made-for-cable movie "Voyage" (USA Network)

Studied acting and opera in France and Italy

Began performing as a teenager, appearing in sketch comedy and cabaret scenes, some written by her actress mother

Raised in a small coastal village in Denmark

Awards

2004

San Sebastian International Film Festival for Silver Shell for Best Actress in Brothers

2001

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Gladiator