Chloe Sevigny

Guide Note

Chloe Sevigny is an American film and television actress who made her feature debut in Larry Clark's controversial indie film Kids. She currently appears as a regular on the HBO series Big Love.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 18, 1974
2. Birthplace: Darien, Connecticut
3. First Film: Kids
4. Met Kids screenwriter Harmony Korine while hanging out in New York's Tompkins Square park
5. Other Notable Films: Boys Don't Cry and The Brown Bunny
6. Lives in New York City
7. Dated Harmony Korine and Vincent Gallo
8. Has hinted that she's bisexual

Early Life

Born in Connecticut, Sevigny was raised strict Catholic. At the age of 18, she moved into her own apartment in Brooklyn and while hanging out with skateboarders was spotted by a fashion editor at Sassy Magazine who loved her style and had her model for the magazine and Sonic Youth's fashion label. During this time she also appeared on the 1994 album cover for The Gigolo Aunts. In 1995 Sevigny made her film debut in the low budget film Kids which opened the gate for a number of gritty independent films to follow.

The Films of Sevigny

Following Kids, Sevigny starred in Trees Lounge with Steve Buscemi, Gummo, Palmetto and the larger budgeted The Last Days of Disco with Kate Beckinsale. While film roles were plenty, it was her role as Lana Tisdel in Boys Don't Cry that earned Sevigny an Academy Award nomination as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

Bunny Does Harm

After a dozen roles, Sevigny opted for a part in Vincent Gallos's The Brown Bunny after Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst passed. The 2003 film became known for its controversial scene in which Sevigny performs real fellatio on her co-star Gallo. After the film's release, Sevigny's agency William Morris dropped her as a client. Luckily Sevigny's talent surpassed the criticism and she moved on to new projects, playing one of three wives in the polygamist family drama Big Love for HBO.

Quotes

Sevigny on The Brown Bunny, "I knew people would not understand it. It's a shame people write so many things when they haven't seen it. When you see the film, it makes more sense. It's an art film. It should be playing in museums. It's like an Andy Warhol movie."