Kat Dennings

Kat Dennings

Dennings at the October 2013 premiere of Thor: The Dark World
Born Katherine Litwack
(1986-06-13) June 13, 1986
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 2000–present
Website www.katdennings.com

Katherine Litwack[1] (born June 13, 1986),[2] known professionally as Kat Dennings, is an American actress. Starting with a role in an episode of the HBO dramedy series Sex and the City, Dennings has since appeared in the films The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Big Momma's House 2, Charlie Bartlett, Raise Your Voice, The House Bunny, Defendor, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Thor, and Thor: The Dark World. Since 2011, she has starred alongside Beth Behrs in the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls.

Early life

Dennings was born and raised in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.[1][3] Her mother, Ellen Judith Litwack, is a poet and speech therapist,[4][5] and her father, Gerald J. Litwack, is a molecular pharmacologist, and college professor and chairman. Dennings is the youngest of five children, including an older brother, Geoffrey S. Litwack.[1][6] Her family is Jewish.[6][7]

Dennings was homeschooled; her only enrollment at a traditional school was for a half-day at Friends' Central School.[1] She graduated from high school early, at the age of 14.[8] She moved with her family to Los Angeles, so that she could pursue acting full time. She adopted the surname "Dennings" as her professional name when she was younger.[2]

Career

2000–03: Early career

Dennings began her career in commercials at the age of 10.[1] Her first acting job was an ad for potato chips.[8] Dennings made her professional debut with an appearance on HBO's Sex and the City in 2000, in the episode "Hot Child in the City", playing an obnoxious 13-year-old who hires Samantha to handle publicity for her bat mitzvah.[2][9] She then starred on the short-lived WB sitcom Raising Dad from 2001 to 2002 as Sarah, a 15-year-old raised by her widowed father (Bob Saget), with a pre-teen sister (Brie Larson). In 2002, Dennings appeared in the Disney Channel film The Scream Team as a teenager who stumbles into a group of ghosts. She was cast for a five-episode run on The WB's Everwood, but the role was recast with Nora Zehetner.[10]

2004–11: Feature film debut and further roles

Dennings continued working on television, guest-starring on Without a Trace as a teen whose boyfriend goes missing, and on Less than Perfect in 2003. In February 2004, she was cast in a pilot for CBS titled Sudbury, about a family of modern-day witches, based on the 1998 film Practical Magic, but the series was not picked up.[11][12] Dennings had a recurring role on ER from 2005 to 2006 as Zoe Butler, and guest-starred in the CSI franchise twice: first on CSI itself, as Missy Wilson, in the 2004 episode "Early Rollout". Then, on CSI: NY as Sarah Endecott, in the 2005 episode "Manhattan Manhunt".

Dennings made her feature film debut in Hilary Duff's Raise Your Voice in 2004 as Sloane, a somber piano student.[13] In 2005, she landed supporting roles in The 40-Year-Old Virgin as Catherine Keener's character's daughter, and in Down in the Valley.[8] She played a rebellious teenager in the 2006 film Big Momma's House 2, starring Martin Lawrence.[14]

Dennings at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Dennings starred in Charlie Bartlett in 2008, the story of a wealthy teenager (Anton Yelchin) who acts as a psychiatrist for his new public high school. She played Susan Gardner, Bartlett's love interest, and the daughter of the school's principal (Robert Downey, Jr.).[15] Dennings appeared in The House Bunny that year, as Mona, a pierced feminist sorority girl.[16] She also starred in the teen romance Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, with Michael Cera. Dennings played Norah Silverberg, the daughter of a famous record producer, and was nominated for the International Press Academy's Satellite Award for Best Actress for the performance.[17] In September 2008, Dennings hoped to make Don DeLillo's novel End Zone into a film. Actors Sam Rockwell and Josh Hartnett were involved, but the project was not greenlit because of its controversial subject matter of nuclear war.[18]

In 2009, Dennings appeared in The Answer Man, a story about a celebrity author whose manifestos become a sort of new Bible. She also co-starred in the Robert Rodriguez-directed dark children's film Shorts that year.[19] She played the protagonist Toe (Jimmy Bennett)'s teenage older sister, Stacey Thompson.[20] Dennings and other rising stars were featured in the August 2009 issue of Vanity Fair, re-enacting scenes from famous Depression-era films, hers being Sydney Pollack's They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969).[21] Dennings was cast in the romantic comedy film Liars (A to E) in 2009.[22] However, the Richard Linklater-directed project was cancelled due to cut backs at Miramax Films by the studio's parent company, Disney.[23]

Dennings appeared in the superhero film Defendor in 2009, starring Woody Harrelson and Sandra Oh, playing a crack-addicted prostitute.[24][25] The following year, she starred in the independent feature Daydream Nation as a girl who moves from the city to a strange rural town, and is caught in a love triangle with her high school teacher (Josh Lucas) and a teenage drug dealer (Reece Thompson).[26] The film began shooting in Vancouver in early 2010, and was written and directed by Michael Golbach.[27] In May 2010, Dennings appeared in a music video for "40 Dogs (Like Romeo and Juliet)", a single by Austin, Texas-based musician Bob Schneider. Robert Rodriguez directed the video, which was filmed in various locations around Austin.[28]

Dennings was part of the cast of the Marvel Studios film Thor, released in May 2011, and directed by Kenneth Branagh. She played Darcy Lewis, a tech-savvy, shy sidekick and assistant to Natalie Portman's character, Jane Foster.[29] The film went into production in January 2010, and was shot in New Mexico for six weeks in early 2010.[26]

2012–present

Dennings with her 2 Broke Girls co-star Beth Behrs at the 38th People's Choice Awards in January 2012

Dennings began starring in 2 Broke Girls in 2011, a CBS sitcom written and produced by Michael Patrick King and comedian Whitney Cummings. The comedy follows the lives of two underemployed girls. Beth Behrs co-stars as a Manhattan heiress who lost her inheritance, while Dennings plays a tough outspoken girl from Brooklyn.[30] Dennings liked the idea of reaching a wider audience with her work, so she accepted the role on the network sitcom.[31] On March 25, 2016, CBS renewed the series for a sixth season.[32]

Dennings starred in the drama film To Write Love on Her Arms (originally titled Renee) in 2012, with Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend. She played Renee Yohe, a Florida teenager who struggled with substance abuse and self-injury, and who inspired the founding of the nonprofit organization To Write Love on Her Arms. The film began production in Orlando, Florida, in February 2011.[33] In mid-2012, Dennings filmed the independent feature Suburban Gothic, playing a small-town bartender.[34]

Dennings introduced The Black Keys at the 55th Grammy Awards on February 10, 2013.[35] She appeared in a music video for the Hanson single "Get the Girl Back", alongside Nikki Reed. The actresses are close friends and are both fans of the pop group.[36] The video premiered on April 4, 2013.[37] In 2013, Dennings reprised her role as Darcy Lewis in Thor: The Dark World.[38] She worked on the film and 2 Broke Girls at the same time, flying to London to film for six months between breaks on her CBS sitcom.[39]

Personal life

Dennings blogged from January 2001 until February 20, 2010, on her website and also transitioned into video blogging on YouTube.[19] Dennings stated to The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles that Judaism "is an important part of my history, but, as a whole, religion is not a part of my life." The article went on to say that she considers herself more ethnically and culturally affiliated than religiously so.[6]

In December 2008, Dennings told BlackBook magazine, "I don't drink and I don't smoke and I don't like being around people who do."[40] In 2013, The New York Times reported that Dennings practices Transcendental Meditation.[41]

From 2014 to 2016, Dennings dated singer Josh Groban.[42][43][44]

Filmography

Dennings at the showing of Daydream Nation at the Ryerson Theatre in 2010
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Raise Your Voice Sloane
2005 Down in the Valley April
2005 40-Year-Old Virgin, TheThe 40-Year-Old Virgin Marla Piedmont
2005 London Lilly
2006 Big Momma's House 2 Molly Fuller
2007 Charlie Bartlett Susan Gardner
2008 House Bunny, TheThe House Bunny Mona
2008 Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Norah Silverberg
2009 Answer Man, TheThe Answer Man Dahlia
2009 Shorts Stacey Thompson
2009 Defendor Katerina "Kat" Debrofkowitz/Angel
2010 Daydream Nation Caroline Wexler
2011 Thor Darcy Lewis
2012 To Write Love on Her Arms Renee Yohe
2013 Thor: The Dark World Darcy Lewis
2014 Suburban Gothic Becca
2015 Hollywood Adventures Herself Cameo
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Sex and the City Jenny Brier Episode: "Hot Child in the City"
2001–02 Raising Dad Sarah Stewart Main role; 22 episodes
2002 Scream Team, TheThe Scream Team Claire Carlyle Television film
2003 Without a Trace Jennifer Norton Episode: "Sons and Daughters"
2003 Less than Perfect Kaitlin Episode: "The Girl Next Door"
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Missy Wilson Episode: "Early Rollout"
2005 Clubhouse Angela Episode: "Stealing Home"
2005–06 ER Zoe Butler 5 episodes
2005 CSI: NY Sarah Endecott Episode: "Manhattan Manhunt"
2009 American Dad! Tanqueray (voice) Episode: "G-String Circus"
2010 American Dad! Female juror (voice) Episode: "The People vs. Martin Sugar"
2011–present 2 Broke Girls Max Black Main role
2012 Robot Chicken Various voices Episode: "Executed by the State"
2014 40th People's Choice Awards Herself Host
2014 Newsroom, TheThe Newsroom Blair Lansing Episode: "Run"
2015 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Guest judge; episode: "ShakesQueer"
2015–16 Drunk History Kentucky Daisey / Sadie the Goat 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2008 Satellite Award Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Nominated
2009 MTV Movie Award Breakthrough Performance – Female Nominated
2009 Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Actress: Music/Dance Nominated
2014 People's Choice Award Favorite TV Gal Pals (with Beth Behrs) 2 Broke Girls Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Rys, Richard (September 24, 2008). "Exit Interview: Kat Dennings". Philadelphia. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Gross, Dan (February 18, 2008). "Dan Gross: 'Charlie Bartlett' co-star Kat Dennings fond of Philly roots". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  3. ↑ Leiren-Young, Mark (April 8, 2011). "Daydream Nation director Michael Goldbach emerges from Don McKellar's shadow". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  4. ↑ Abcairn, Robin (August 26, 2006). "Swag!". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Charlie Bartlett – Kat Dennings interview". IndieLondon. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 Klein, Amy (October 29, 2008). "'Nick and Norah' star Kat Dennings is infinitely Jewish, in her own way". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  7. ↑ Elkin, Michael (July 19, 2001). "Kid Kat: A local suburban teen plans on 'Raising Dad'". The Jewish Exponent. ISSN 0021-6437.
  8. 1 2 3 Maher, Kevin (January 29, 2009). "Kat Dennings offers directors a touch of va-va-voom". The Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  9. ↑ "It's Evening in America". Vanity Fair: 153. May 2012. ISSN 0733-8899.
  10. ↑ "Ch. 3 is wooing a familiar Philly face – Nancy Glass". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 16, 2002. ISSN 0885-6613.
  11. ↑ "Development Update: February 26". The Futon Critic. February 26, 2004. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Development Update: November 3–5". The Futon Critic. November 5, 2004. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ Gates, Anita (October 8, 2004). "Lost Your Voice? Head West Young Woman". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  14. ↑ Lemire, Christy (January 25, 2006). "'Big Momma's House 2' is a one-joke movie". Today. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ Cosgrove, Julia (August 2007). "Kat Dennings: giving vapid portrayals of teenage girls the high-heeled boot". Interview. ISSN 0149-8932.
  16. ↑ "No 'Bunny' knows funny". Sun News. August 21, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Satellite nod for Ricky Gervais". Metro. December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  18. ↑ Slotek, Jim (September 7, 2008). "Dennings revels in her dark side". Toronto Sun. p. 24. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  19. 1 2 Miller, Jenni (2008). "Exclusive Interview: 'Nick and Norah' Star Kat Dennings". Premiere. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  20. ↑ Gire, Dann (August 20, 2009). "Subversive comedy 'Shorts' long on imagination". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Ain't We Got Style?". Vanity Fair. August 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  22. ↑ Swart, Sharon (July 27, 2009). "Richard Linklater favors 'Liars'". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2009.
  23. ↑ Collura, Scott (November 17, 2009). "Linklater's Latest Un-Link-Likely". IGN. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  24. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (October 3, 2008). "Kat Dennings negotiating to play 'Defendor'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  25. ↑ Debruge, Peter (October 24, 2008). "Kat Dennings – 10 Actors to Watch". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
  26. 1 2 Gallagher, Brian (April 7, 2010). "EXCLUSIVE: Kat Dennings Speaks Out on 'Thor', 'Daydream Nation' and Her Possible Directorial Debut". MovieWeb. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  27. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 7, 2010). "Dennings caught in 'Daydream'". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  28. ↑ Kim, Brandon (May 4, 2010). "Exclusive Robert Rodriguez Music Video Premiere". IFC. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  29. ↑ McNary, Dave (November 24, 2009). "Kat Dennings joins 'Thor' cast". Variety. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  30. ↑ Huver, Scott (May 5, 2011). "Kat Dennings Gets Her Comic Book Movie Wish, Sans Workouts". NBC Washington. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  31. ↑ Amatangelo, Amy (October 2, 2011). "Kat Dennings loves playing tough gal on new CBS sitcom". Boston Herald. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  32. ↑ Kissell, Rick (March 25, 2016). "CBS Renews Eleven Series Including 'Blue Bloods,' 'Survivor' and 'Mom'". Variety. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  33. ↑ Moore, Roger (February 24, 2011). "'Renee,' starring Kat Dennings, Chad Michael Murray and Rupert Friend, gets underway in Orlandos". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  34. ↑ Kaufman, Amy (November 5, 2013). "With 'Thor: The Dark World,' Kat Dennings hammers out a new phase". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  35. ↑ Braiker, Brian; Keller, Emma G (February 10, 2013). "The Grammys 2013 – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Nikki Reed: Dennings shares Hanson obsession". Belfast Telegraph. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  37. ↑ Graham, Mark (April 4, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE: Hanson, "Get The Girl Back"". VH1. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  38. ↑ Patten, Dominic (August 21, 2012). "'2 Broke Girls' Kat Dennings Back In 'Thor 2'". Deadline.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  39. ↑ Sacks, Ethan (November 6, 2013). "'Thor: The Dark World' star Kat Dennings endured own hero's journey to make film". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  40. ↑ Horkins, Tony (December 7, 2008). "The New Regime: Kat Dennings". BlackBook. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  41. ↑ Hoffman, Claire (February 22, 2013). "David Lynch Is Back … as a Guru of Transcendental Meditation". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  42. ↑ Johnson, Zach (October 13, 2014). "Kat Dennings and Josh Groban are dating!". E! Online. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  43. ↑ 'He's Just a Genius': Kat Dennings Sings Boyfriend Josh Groban's Praises and Reveals the 'Ridiculous' Song He Wrote About Her
  44. ↑ Vulpo, Mike (August 1, 2016). "Josh Groban and Kat Dennings Break Up After Almost 2 Years of Dating". E! Online. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
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