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Trivia
Birth name: Edward James Norton Jr.
Date of birth: 18 August 1969
Place of birth: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Nickname: Ed
Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
Following graduation, he worked in Osaka, Japan, consulting for his
grandfather's company, Enterprise Foundation, which works to create
decent, affordable housing for low-income families.
On his return to New York, it took less than two years of waiting tables
before the young thespian to capture the eye of Edward Albee, one of the
most celebrated playwrights of the 20th century. Albee was working with
the Signature Theater Company on a new production of Fragments. One
audition and Norton landed the role, as well as a slot in Signature's
repertory company. He currently serves on its board of directors.
He played guitar with Courtney Love's band Hole in two gigs in Los
Angeles, in December 1998.
In July 1998, after a New Yorker jibe in a review of a documentary about
Courtney Love, Norton sent the magazine a frameable letter. Norton's
missive was in response to "Endless Love," a piece by Daphne
Merkin centering on Nick Broomfield's controversial documentary _Kurt
& Courtney (1998)_ . The film, filled with speculation that Love's
husband Kurt Cobain was a murder victim rather than a suicide, features
a litany of Love-haters anxious to air their grievances. The magazine's
coverage of Broomfield's film "along with Merkin's thoughtful
contributions" didn't sit well with Norton.
When Norton met with the director for Primal Fear (1996), he told them
that he, like Aaron, came from eastern Kentucky. Norton even spoke with
the twang (which he prepared by watching Coal Miner's Daughter (1980)).
His character Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear (1996), which was based on a
book, did not have a stutter, but when he auditioned he gave him one.
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.
He and Rounders (1998) co-star Matt
Damon competed in the World Series of Poker at Las Vegas on May 1998
with the movie studio Miramax paying the $10,000 per person entrance
fee.
His character Worm in Rounders (1998) was originally supposed to smoke
but being avid non-smoker he refused.
He worked as a waiter, a proofreader, and a director's assistant (to try
to get his foot in the door) in New York City.
He applied to be a New York City cab driver, but he was rejected for the
license because he didn't meet the age requirement.
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 decided to quit the desk job grind (at his
grandfather's suggestion) and try to break into acting in New York.
Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Maryland, where Edward graduated in
1987, built a new auditorium for the performing arts several years ago.
He revisited his alma mater and gave a lecture on the day of the
dedication. It is named after Edward's grandfather, James Rouse.
Received a B.A. in history from Yale in 1991, but took many theater and
Japanese courses as an undergraduate. He has said in interviews that he
took as many theater courses as he could without majoring in theater.
The theme song for Keeping the Faith (2000) - "Heart of Mine"
by Peter Salett - was not written specifically for the film. Salett is a
good friend of Edward's.
According to Yale's newspaper, he has wanted to play the poet Dylan
Thomas for a long time, but feels he's not physically right for the
part.
While a precocious 8-year-old actor, he asked a surprised director of a
play, "what is my objective here?" The director was so
startled by his interest in acting.
His babysitter, Betsy True, went on to perform as Cossette in a Broadway
version of Les Miserables. She was the one who originally got Edward
interested in acting, taking him to see his first play ("If I Were
A Princess") at age six.
Auditioned for the role of 'Rudy Baylor' in the movie The Rainmaker
(1997). The role eventually went to Matt
Damon.
Got the role for Fight Club (1999) because director David Fincher
enjoyed his performance in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), which was
the only film of the actor's that he had seen.
Dedicated his directoral debut, Keeping the Faith (2000), to his late
mother, Robin.
Brother of Molly Norton and James Norton.
Received History degree from Yale. [1991]
Turned down the role of Private Ryan in Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Serves as a member of the board of directors at the Enterprise
Foundation in New York.
Oldest of three children.
Was considered for the role of Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon (1999).
Director Milos Forman could not decide between him and Jim
Carrey and left the decision up to the studio. The studio decided to
go with Carrey.
Grandfather James Rouse is also known as the "inventor" of the
shopping mall.
Lost several pounds for Fight Club (1999).
Holds benefit screenings of his films mostly at The Senator Theatre in
Baltimore, MD to benefit some charities that includes the Living
Classroooms Foundation and the St. Frances Academy Robin Norton
Scholarship Fund in honor of his late mother.
Producers of American Psycho (2000) wanted him to play Patrick Bateman.
Played "Captain" in a VH1 "Captain & Tenille"
Behind the Music skit on "Saturday Night Live" (1975) with
friend Drew
Barrymore the night before the 1999 Oscars when he was a nominee for
American History X (1998). Drew then accompanied Edward to the Oscars
the day after.
Has a tabby cat named Maggie-named after the character from 'Cat in a
Hot Tin Roof'
Dated Salma
Hayek. [1999-2003]
Dated Courtney Love. [1996-1998]
His grandfather, James Rouse, designed the planned community Norton was
born in - Columbia, Maryland.
Did NOT attend the famed 'Yale Drama School', as reported in many news
paper articles. Attended Yale merely as an undergraduate.
Grew up in a planned community designed by his Grandfather, James Rouse
His father, Edward Norton Sr. was an attorney for president Jimmy
Carter.
As a response to the events of September 11th and the increasing
conflict in the Middle East, he contributed to establish the Middle East
Peacemakers Fund at Yale University.
Norton already had two Oscar nominations before he was 30.
College buddies with Ron Livingston at Yale.
Was attached at one point to star in Hart's War (2002) but walked away
from the project and an $8 million salary. The role later went to Colin
Farrell.
Voted International Man of the Year (2003) By British GQ Magazine
Was once attached to star as the lead in Runaway Jury (2003)
Born on the same day as Christian Slater.
Shares a birthday with Patrick Swayze, Denis Leary, Malcolm-Jamal Warner
and Robert
Redford.
He served as Artistic Director for the Signature Theatre Company in New
York from 2001-2003. He is currently still on the board.
Shaved his head and gained 30 pounds of muscle in 3 months by drinking
protein shakes, meat shakes (blended roast beef), and lifting weights
non-stop for his role as Dereck Vinyard in American History X (1998).
Was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was raised in Columbia, Maryland.
Was 33 years old when he played Will Graham in Red Dragon (2002). His
predecessor, William L. Petersen, was also 33 years old when he played
the same role in Manhunter (1986).
He speaks Spanish
He treasures his private life and being able to live a normal life - and
can't imagine not being able to take the New York subway if he gets too
famous.
Stuart Blumberg, Edward's friend from his Yale college days, wrote most
of what was to become the basis for Keeping the Faith (2000). Edward
starred, produced, and directed the romantic comedy, but he also
assisted Stuart in writing the original story.
Won a Village Voice Obie Award for his role in the Off-Broadway Show
Burn This in 2003
Drew
Barrymore accompanied him to the Oscar in 1999 where he was
nominated for "Best Actor in a Leading Role"
Did an uncredited rewrite of the script of Frida (2002).
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