Rosamund Pike
Actress Rosamund Pike is one of the leads in the 2014 thriller ‘Gone Girl,’ having also appeared in films like ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘An Education.’
Synopsis
London-born actress Rosamund Pike made her British television debut in 1998 with the movie A Rather English Marriage. Four years later, her career received a substantial boost when she appeared in the James Bond spy thriller Die Another Day. Numerous supporting roles in Pride & Prejudice (2005), An Education (2009) and Jack Reacher (2012) soon followed. In 2014, Pike co-starred opposite Ben Affleck in the thriller Gone Girl, earning Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for the part.
Early Life and Career
Born on January 27, 1979, in London, England, actress Rosamund Pike is known for her work in such films as Die Another Day (2002), An Education (2009) and Gone Girl (2014). She had an unusual upbringing. Pike is the only child of two professional opera singers and spent much of her childhood accompanying them on tour. As she explained to New Statesman, her desire to become an actress came from "seeing all the drama, close up" as she watched her parents rehearse and perform.
At the age of 11, Pike enrolled at the Badminton School. She then went on to study at Oxford University's Wadham College. During her student days, she took acting roles to help pay her school costs. Pike appeared on the British television movie A Rather English Marriage (1998) as well as mini-series Wives and Daughters (1999) and Love in a Cold Climate (2001).
James Bond and Hitchcock
Soon after completing her studies, Pike landed a major break when she won a part in Die Another Day (2002) starring Pierce Brosnan as legendary spy James Bond. She really didn't know what to expect. "Before I was cast as a Bond girl, I had never actually seen a James Bond movie," Pike told W magazine. The following year, she took a different type of challenge. Pike took to the London stage in a production of Hitchcock Blonde. Her performance brought her strong reviews and even raised a few eyebrows. For one scene, Pike wore high-heeled shoes and nothing else.
From 'Pride & Prejudice' to 'Gone Girl'
Pike later landed a supporting part in Pride & Prejudice (2005) starring Keira Knightley. More film work soon followed, including Fracture (2007) with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. She also proved to be quite the scene-stealer in the 1960s coming-of-age drama An Education (2009), with Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. Making the most of out a smaller part, Pike won over audiences as the lovely yet dim Helen. She went on to play the mythical figure Andromeda in 2012's action epic Wrath of the Titans with Liam Neeson and Sam Worthington. That same year, Pike also portrayed Tom Cruise's love interest in Jack Reacher.
Pike's career reached new heights in 2014 with the mystery thriller Gone Girl, based on the hit novel by Gillian Flynn. The film, directed by David Fincher, features Pike and Ben Affleck as Amy and Nick Dunne, a young married couple. When Amy vanishes, Nick becomes a suspect in her disappearance. But nothing in this film is as it seems, especially Pike's character. She has earned accolades for her portrayal of the clever and complicated Amy, and Pike has indeed earned SAG, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for the role.
Personal Life
Pike and her longtime partner Robie Uniacke have a son, Solo, together. They are also expecting their second child. Pike was previously engaged to Joe Wright, who directed Pride & Prejudice.
