Biography
Who is Amy Irving?
Early life and family background
Amy Irving was born in Palo Alto, California, on September 10, 1953. Her father was Jules Irving, a director of film and stage, and her mother was the actress Priscilla Pointer. Her sister, Katie Irving, is a singer and teacher. She also has a brother, David Irving, who is a writer and director.
As a child, she was exposed to the performing arts through her father, who co-founded the Actor's Workshop. She began acting at a very young age, appearing in theater productions in San Francisco. During her teenage years, the family moved to Manhattan in New York City. There, she attended the Professional Children's School. She also received formal training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Acting career and film roles
Amy Irving made her Broadway debut as a teenager in The Country Wife. She gained significant attention in the 1970s for her film work. She played the role of Sue Snell in the 1976 horror film Carrie, directed by Brian De Palma. She followed this with a lead role in the 1978 thriller The Fury. In 1980, she appeared in the film Honeysuckle Rose, where she also debuted her singing skills.
Her role in Barbra Streisand's 1983 musical Yentl brought her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she continued to work in both independent and major studio films. Well-known credits include the ensemble comedy Deconstructing Harry, the crime drama Traffic, and the horror film Unsane. She has also worked in television, appearing in shows like Alias, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the miniseries The Far Pavilions.
Broadway and stage performances
Her stage career includes a wide variety of performances. In 1980, she appeared in Amadeus at the Broadhurst Theatre. She later performed in Broken Glass at the Booth Theatre and the revival of Three Sisters. Her Off-Broadway credits are extensive, featuring roles in The Heidi Chronicles, The Road to Mecca, and The Vagina Monologues.
In 1994, she hosted the 48th Tony Awards alongside Anthony Hopkins. She also performed in the American premiere of Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia during the 2006 to 2007 season. In 2010, she appeared in A Little Night Music at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Personal life and relationships
Amy Irving was married to film director Steven Spielberg from 1985 to 1989. They have one son together named Max Spielberg. She was later married to Brazilian filmmaker Bruno Barreto from 1996 to 2005, and they have a son named Gabriel Davis. In 2007, she married documentary filmmaker Kenneth Bowser Jr.
The couple lives in a home in rural Westchester County, New York. This residence was rebuilt using reclaimed wood after a fire destroyed the original structure in 2009. Outside of her acting work, she has pursued musical interests, releasing an album titled Born In a Trunk in 2023.
Birthday and age
Amy Irving was born on September 10, 1953, which makes Amy 73 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Amy shares the date with 23 other famous people.
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