It’s not always easy to say her name, but you definitely know who she is. Saoirse Ronan (pronounced “Seer-sha” or “Sur-sha”) stars in the new move The Host, but did you know the 18-year-old actress is also one of the youngest stars to ever get nominated for an Oscar? Find out more in her Kidzworld Bio!
Irish Lass
Saoirse Una Ronan was born Aoril 12th 1994 in New York to Paul and Monica Ronan, but moved back to County Carlow in Ireland when she was still a baby. Acting talent seems to run in the family, her father Paul is an actor and when she was young he used to take his daughter to set with him, since she was homeschooled.
Books to Screen
Saoirse broke into acting when she was just 12-years-old, auditioning for and winning the part of Briony in the film adaptation of Ian MacEwan’s novel Atonement, starring alongside Kiera Knightley and James MacAvoy. The film was a major success among critics and audiences and garnered many awards, including a nomination at the Oscars for Saoirse’s astounding performance! She also starred in the film version of City of Ember (one of her favorite novels) a sci-fi fantasy book for young adults. Saoirse wasn’t done with serious films yet, after a few other projects she went on to star in the film adaptation of Alice Sebold’s touching novel The Lovely Bones, all about a girl who is murdered who watches from the afterlife as her family deals with their grief. By this time Saoirse was making a name for herself as a talent to watch in the film industry.
Hanna to The Host
Continuing on her tradition of taking on serious dramatic roles that many young people could not play, Saoirse played a Polish orphan who treks all the way to India in The Way Back, but afterwards switched to a faster paced film with Hanna, the story of a teenage assassin. Most recently Saoirse continued her streak of books turned into films by starring in the film adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyers’ The Host.
Fun Facts!
- In 2008 she was the seventh youngest nominee for an Oscar at 13-years-old for her performance in Atonement
- She has a border collie named Sassy
- Her first name means “Freedom” and her last name means “Seal” in Irish
- Auditioned for the role of Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter
- Her favorite books are The City of Ember and The Secret of Platform 13
- Has signed on for an upcoming Wes Anderson film
Check out the trailer for The Host below!
Have Your Say
What do you think of Saoirse Ronan? Let us know in the comment section below.
