Anna Kendrick

Anna Cooke Kendrick, born August 9, 1985, is an American actress, singer, and film director. Known for playing upbeat and endearing characters in comedies and musicals, her accolades include nominations for an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. She achieved wide recognition for her roles in films such as Up in the Air and the Pitch Perfect film series, and she has voiced the lead role in the animated Trolls franchise since 2016.

Kendrick was born in Portland, Maine, to Janice, an accountant, and William, a history teacher. She is of English, Irish, and Scottish descent. Kendrick began performing in community theater at age six and attended Deering High School. Her older brother, Michael, is also an actor who appeared in the 2000 drama film Looking for an Echo.

At age 12, Kendrick made her professional acting debut in the 1998 Broadway musical High Society, earning a Theatre World Award as well as nominations for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. She later appeared in the 2003 New York City Opera production of A Little Night Music. That same year, she made her feature film debut in the musical comedy Camp, receiving an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Following a three-year hiatus, she starred in the 2007 film Rocket Science, which earned her another Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Kendrick gained prominence in 2008 playing Jessica Stanley in the fantasy romance film Twilight. She reprised the role in sequels released in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In 2009, she starred opposite George Clooney in the comedy-drama Up in the Air. Her performance as an ambitious college graduate brought her widespread recognition and nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. During this period, she also appeared in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and 50/50.

In 2012, Kendrick took on the starring role of Beca Mitchell in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect. The film became a commercial success, and Kendrick reprised the role in sequels released in 2015 and 2017. Her work in musicals continued with her role as Cinderella in Disney's Into the Woods (2014) and her performance in the film adaptation of The Last Five Years (2014). Additionally, she featured in films across various genres, including the crime drama End of Watch, the thriller The Accountant, and the mystery-thriller A Simple Favor.

Since 2016, Kendrick has voiced Princess Poppy in the animated film Trolls and its sequels. Her television work includes starring in and executive producing the short-form comedy series Dummy (2020), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, as well as the anthology series Love Life (2020). She made her directorial debut with the 2023 thriller Woman of the Hour, in which she also starred. In 2025, she reprised her role as Stephanie Smothers in Another Simple Favor.

Outside of acting, Kendrick has performed as a singer on film soundtracks, releasing the single "Cups" in 2012. She has also sung at events such as the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2015 Academy Awards. In November 2016, she published a memoir titled Scrappy Little Nobody.