Greta Gerwig early life, relationships, career, and more

Who is Greta Gerwig?

Greta Gerwig is an actress and filmmaker known for her work in films like Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America, Damsels in Distress, To Rome with Love, Maggie’s Plan, Jackie, 20th Century Women, and Isle of Dogs. Greta Gerwig has also co-written and co-directed movies such as Hannah Takes the Stairs and Nights and Weekends. Gerwig also directed films such as Lady Bird and Little Women which were both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. In 2018, Gerwig was included in Time’s 100 lists of the most influential people in the world.

Greta Gerwig

Quick facts

Full nameGreta Celeste Gerwig
Known asGreta Gerwig
BirthdayAugust 4, 1983
Age40 years old
Sun signLeo
Place of birthSacramento, California, U.S.
EducationBarnard College

Early life, upbringing, and education

Greta Gerwig was born on August 4, 1983, in Sacramento, California. Her mother’s name is Christine Sauer who is a nurse. Likewise, her father’s name is Gordon Gerwig who worked for a credit union on small business loans. Greta grew up in the River Park neighborhood in Sacramento, California. She has two siblings. Her older brother is a landscape architect and her sister is a manager at Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

Greta studied at an all-girls Catholic school called St. Francis High School. She graduated from there in 2002. Growing up, Greta was interested in dancing and fencing. However, she had to quit competitive fencing since it was quite a costly sport. After graduating high school, Gerwig joined Barnard College. She graduated from there with a degree in English and Philosophy. 

Greta Gerwig career

At the start of her career, Greta Gerwig had a  small role in Joe Swanberg’s LOL which was her debut movie. After this, she appeared in many “mumblecore” movies such as  Hannah Takes the Stairs, Baghead, and Yeast. Initially, Greta’s talent went unrecognized and due to this, she struggled financially. As a result, she worked part-time as a tutor and nanny to make ends meet. 

Greta Gerwig

When Greta was cast by Noah Baumbach in Greenberg, her career took a dramatic turn. She gained a lot of recognition for her work and following this, the actress appeared in Arthur, No Strings Attached, Damsels in Distress, and Woody Allen’s To Rome With Love. 

Gerwig and Baumbach have, in fact, collaborated on a lot of projects. They co-wrote Frances Ha for which Gerwig received a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination. Likewise, they co-wrote the 2015 film Mistress America. Presently, Greta Gerwig is focusing more on direction and writing instead of acting. Gerwig expressed her desire to create more women-centered films at the Women in Entertainment Summit in 2017. 

She made her directorial debut with the comedy-drama film Lady Bird starring  Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, and Timothée Chalamet. The film received critical acclaim along with many accolades for Greta Gerwig’s exceptional direction and screenplay. Lady Bird went on to win the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award at the  75th Golden Globe Awards. 

After this, Greta went on to direct Little Women starring  Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep. The film received six nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards. 

Marriage and children

Greta Gerwig is an unmarried woman. However, the director has been in a relationship with filmmaker Noah Baumbach since 2011. They welcomed their son in March 2019. 

Greta Gerwig with Noah Baumbach
Greta Gerwig with Noah Baumbach

Greta Gerwig Filmography:

Films:

YearTitleRoleDirector
2006LOLGretaJoe Swanberg
2007Hannah Takes the StairsHannahAlso co-writer
2008BagheadMichelleMark Duplass
Jay Duplass
2008YeastGenMary Bronstein
2008Nights and WeekendsMattie (Also co-writer, co-director, co-producer)Joe Swanberg
Greta Gerwig
2008Quick Feet, Soft HandsLisaPaul Harrill
2008I Thought You Finally Completely Lost ItGretaRod Webber
2009You Wont Miss MeBridgetRy Russo-Young
2009The House of the DevilMeganTi West
2010GreenbergFlorence MarrNoah Baumbach
2010Art HouseNora OhrVictor Fanucchi
2010Northern ComfortCassandra (Also co-writer )Rod Webber
2010The Dish & the SpoonRoseAlison Bagnall
2011No Strings AttachedPatriceIvan Reitman
2011Damsels in DistressViolet WisterWhit Stillman
2011ArthurNaomi QuinnJason Winer
2012Lola VersusLolaDaryl Wein
2012To Rome with LoveSallyWoody Allen
2012Frances HaFrances Halladay (Also co-writer )Noah Baumbach
2014EdenJuliaMia Hansen-Løve
2014The HumblingPegeen Mike StaplefordBarry Levinson
2015Mistress AmericaBrooke Cardinas (Also co-writer and co-producer)Noah Baumbach
2015Maggie’s PlanMaggie HardinRebecca Miller
2016Wiener-DogDawn WienerTodd Solondz
2016JackieNancy TuckermanPablo Larraín
201620th Century WomenAbigail PorterMike Mills
2017The Meyerowitz StoriesVictoria (voice)Noah Baumbach
2018Isle of DogsTracy Walker (voice)Wes Anderson
TBAWhite NoiseBabette GladneyNoah Baumbach

As director

YearTitleDirectorWriterProducer
2008Nights and WeekendsYesYesYes
2017Lady BirdYesYesNo
2019Little WomenYesYesNo
2023BarbieYesYesNo

Television:

YearTitleRole
2009A NY ThingTamera
2011–15China, ILPony Merks (voice)
2012The CorrectionsJulia Vrais
2014How I Met Your DadSally
2015PortlandiaMermaid
2016The Mindy ProjectSarah Branum
2017Saturday Night LiveMs. Reynolds

Theatre:

YearTitleRoleVenue
2014The Village BikeBeckyMCC Theater, Off-Broadway

Awards and nominations

YearFilmAcademy AwardsBAFTA AwardsGolden Globe Awards
2017Lady Bird5 Nominations
0 Wins
3 Nominations
0 Wins
4 Nominations
2 Wins
2019Little Women6 Nominations
1 Win
5 Nominations
1 Win
2 Nominations
0 Wins

Directed Academy Award performances

YearPerformerFilm Result
Academy Award for Best Actress (2018)Saoirse RonanLady Bird Nominated
Academy Award for Best Actress (2020) Saoirse Ronan Little Women Nominated
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (2018)Laurie MetcalfLady Bird Nominated
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (2020)Florence PughLittle Women Nominated

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