Born on August 18, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts, Edward Norton is a two-time Oscar-nominated actor who is perhaps most well-known for his roles in Primal Fear, The Illusionist, American History X, Fight Club, and The Incredible Hulk. The son of an English teacher and an environmental lawyer working in Asia, Norton’s grandfather developed the city of Columbia, Maryland, where he grew up. He attended a camp in Hebron, New Hampshire called Pasquaney with his brother from 1981 to 1985. He won the camp acting cup in 1984 and eventually returned there the following year to direct theater. In 1987, he graduated from Wilde Lake High School and attended Yale University where he acted in university productions. He graduated in 1991 with a degree in history.
Edward Norton moved to New York to start off his professional acting career. He first appeared in off-Broadway plays. His film debut was the 1996 Primal Fear. He earned an Academy Award and an Golden Globe nomination for the role for best Supporting Actor. In 1998, he appeared as a reformed neo-Nazi in American History X, which this time bagged him a Best Actor nomination. His next role of Rounders in 1998 was also very critically acclaimed. On the other hand, Fight Club expanded his fan base and made him known to more audiences. Based on the book by Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club has attained a cult following as a novel.
In 2002, Norton appeared in Red Dragon and 25th Hour, both to mixed reviews but commercial success. Another critically acclaimed performance came with Kingdom of Heaven. The Illusionist, too, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, unexpected gained success when it went on general release. In 2000, Norton made his directorial debut with the film Keeping the Faith. He also plays the lead in the second attempt to adapt comic book hero The Hulk on film with The Incredible Hulk in 2008.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Edward has a Black Flag tattoo on his upper back.
Partner is producer Shauna Robertson.
Says if he wasn't an actor he would be a pilot.
He speaks Spanish.
Speaks some French and said he really liked the work of Francois Truffaut, a French director.
Speaks some Japanese, which helped when he worked, briefly, for his grandfather's company, The Enterprise Foundation. He was assigned to the Osaka, Japan branch until he quit the desk job grind at his grandfather's suggestion and decided to try to break into acting in New York.
Born on the same day as Christian Slater.
Shares a birthday with Patrick Swayze, Denis Leary, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Robert Redford.
Norton already had two Oscar nominations before he was 30.
Brother of Molly Norton and James Norton.
Was one of the few celebrities invited to Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's Malibu wedding. [June 29, 2000]
During filming, he and Fight Club (1999) co-star Brad Pitt took soap-making classes.
Edward shaved his head and gained 30 pounds of muscle in only 3 months for his Oscar nominated role in the film American History X.
Edward has a private pilot's license
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 14 nominations.
1999: (nominated) Oscar
Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: American History X (1998)
1997: (nominated) Oscar
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
for: Primal Fear (1996)
2008: Pride and Glory - Raymond
2008: The Incredible Hulk - Bruce Banner
2006: The Painted Veil - Walter Fane
2006: The Illusionist - Eisenheim
2006: Down In the Valley - Harlan
2005: Kingdom of Heaven - King Baldwin
2003: The Italian Job - Steve
2002: Death to Smoochy - Sheldon Mopes - "Smoochy the Rhino"
2002: 25th Hour - Monty Brogan
2002: Frida - Nelson Rockefeller
2002: Red Dragon - Will Graham
2001: The Score - Jackie Teller
2000: Keeping the Faith - Brian Kilkenny Finn
1999: Fight Club - Jack / narrator
1998: Rounders - Worm
1998: American History X - Derek Vinyard
1996: The People vs. Larry Flynt - Isaacman
1996: Everyone Says I Love You - Holden
1996: Primal Fear - Aaron/Roy
I don't smoke and I don't want to smoke. I am not a fan of gratuitous smoking in films.
Life, like poker has an element of risk. It shouldn't be avoided. It should be faced.
If I ever have to stop taking the subway, I'm gonna have a heart attack.
Fame is very corrosive and you have to guard very strictly against it.
I've never felt any particular encroachment of the 'celebrity' stuff into my life.