Leelee (short for Liliane) Rudabet Gloria Elsveta Sobieski was born June 10th, 1983, in New York City, to mother, Elizabeth, a French artist and father, Jean Sobieski (who is somewhere in the royal line for the Polish Crown).
She claims that her family never had much money, but was raised in both France and New York’s posh Upper West Side and attended private school. The young actress whom will forever be compared to Helen Hunt appearance-wise, was discovered by a talent scout in the cafeteria of her New York City school.
Keep your eyes wide open
After this chance encounter, she became a candidate for the role of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire (which she eventually lost out to Kirsten Dunst). Still, the discovery led to other roles in some smaller movies such as Tim Allens mindless Disney dribble, Jungle 2 Jungle and eventually to her first big break in 1998′s awful apocalyptic epic Deep Impact, opposite Lord of the Rings star, Elijah Wood.
She next landed the role of Joan in the CBS miniseries, Joan of Arc, which garnered her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations (not bad for a then 17-year-old). While filming J of A in the Czech Republic, she made up for the loss of working with Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire to land the role with Tom, Nicole, and a little director named Stanley Kubrick, in the legendary director’s last film, Eyes Wide Shut.
Take us on a joy ride
Leelee was officially a star with a dedicated following. She went on to star with Drew Barrymore in the eternal chick flick, Never Been Kissed, in 1999, Here on Earth in 2000, and four films in 2001 including The Glass House and Joy Ride.
Leelee has several projects in the works and in the can including Hoffman, and Samantha Lang’s L’Idole. With a full plate of work ahead and a dedicated fan base, Leelee is sure to be around for a while (and maybe people will even stop mentioning Helen Hunt in every piece about her).
Buying cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1995 | A Horse for Danny | Danny Bara | |
| 1997 | Jungle 2 Jungle | Karen | |
| 1998 | Deep Impact | Sarah Hotchner | |
| A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries | Charlotte Anne “Channe” Willis | Nominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Newcomer | |
| 1999 | Never Been Kissed | Aldys Martin | |
| Eyes Wide Shut | Milich’s Daughter | ||
| 2000 | Here on Earth | Samantha “Sam” Cavanaugh | |
| 2001 | My First Mister | Jennifer | |
| Joy Ride | Venna Wilcox | ||
| The Glass House | Ruby Baker | ||
| 2002 | L’Idole | Sarah Silver | |
| Max | Liselore von Peltz | ||
| 2006 | Lying | Sarah | |
| Heavens Fall | Victoria Price | ||
| In a Dark Place | Anna Veigh | ||
| The Wicker Man | Sister Honey | ||
| The Elder Son | Lolita | ||
| 2007 | Walk All Over Me | Alberta | |
| In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale | Muriella | ||
| 2008 | 88 Minutes | Lauren Douglas | |
| Acts of Violence | Olivia Flyn | ||
| 2009 | Finding Bliss | Jody Balaban | |
| Night Train | Chloe | ||
| Public Enemies | Polly Hamilton | ||
| The Mad Cow | Abby Gibbons | Post-production | |
| 2010 | The Last Film Festival | Stalker | Post-production |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Joan of Arc | Joan of Arc | Nominated — Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2001 | Uprising | Tosia Altman | Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2003 | Les Liaisons dangereuses | Cécile de Volanges | TV miniseries |
| 2005 | Hercules | Deianeira | TV miniseries |
| 2010 | Drop Dead Diva | Samantha “Sam” Colby | 1 episode: “A Mother’s Secret” |
