Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz

Kravitz in 2014
Born Zoë Isabella Kravitz
(1988-12-01) December 1, 1988
Venice, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress, singer, model
Years active 2007–present
Parent(s) Lenny Kravitz
Lisa Bonet
Family Sy Kravitz (grandfather)
Roxie Roker (grandmother)

Zoë Isabella Kravitz (born December 1, 1988)[1][2] is an American actress, singer and model. She is the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She first appeared in the films No Reservations (2007) and The Brave One (2007), and played Angel Salvadore in the Marvel Comics film X-Men: First Class (2011).

She played rock singer Pearl on the fourth season of the Showtime television series Californication, and co-starred in After Earth (2013), with Will and Jaden Smith. She played Christina in The Divergent Series, and played Toast the Knowing in George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Kravitz fronts the band Lolawolf when not working as an actress.

Early life

Kravitz with her father Lenny Kravitz in March 2010

Kravitz was born in Venice, Los Angeles, California at the home of her parents, actress Lisa Bonet and musician Lenny Kravitz.[2] Both of her parents are of half-black and half-Jewish descent. Her paternal grandmother, actress Roxie Roker, was of black and Bahamian ancestry (and a first cousin twice removed of meteorologist Al Roker), and her maternal grandfather, Allen Bonet, is black. Her paternal grandfather, filmmaker Sy Kravitz, and maternal grandmother, Arlene Litman, were both Jewish. Zoë identifies as a secular Jew.[3]

Kravitz's parents married in 1987 and divorced six years later, in 1993, when she was five.[4] She lived with her mother in Topanga Canyon, and then moved to Miami at age eleven to live with her father, spending summers with her mother.[5][6] Kravitz has a younger half-sister, Lola Lolani Momoa, and half-brother, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, from her mother's remarriage to actor Jason Momoa.[7] Her godfather is movie producer Bruce Cohen, and her godmother is actress and singer Cree Summer.[8][9]

Kravitz attended Miami Country Day School and then Rudolf Steiner School in Manhattan, New York, where she graduated in 2007.[10] Kravitz began studying that year at the acting conservatory at the State University of New York at Purchase.[11] She left college after a year and moved to Brooklyn, New York to work in films.[12] She struggled with anorexia and bulimia throughout high school, until around age 24.[5]

Career

2007–10: Career beginnings

Kravitz landed her first film role while in high school, playing a babysitter hired by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the 2007 romance, No Reservations.[13] That same year she played a teenage prostitute in the action thriller The Brave One. She starred in Jay-Z's music video for the single "I Know" in 2008,[14] and was featured singing in will.i.am's music video, "We Are The Ones", in support of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. That year Kravitz appeared in the film Birds of America, a dramedy about a dysfunctional family starring Matthew Perry.[15]

She co-starred in the independent ensemble drama The Greatest,[16] which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Kravitz played a character addicted to grief counseling groups.[17]

Kravitz attending the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival

She completed work on the coming-of-age film, Yelling to the Sky, in 2009, starring with Gabourey Sidibe and Tim Blake Nelson.[18] The directorial debut of Victoria Mahoney, it premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2011. Kravitz played Sweetness O'Hara, a troubled 17-year-old from Queens, New York.[19]

In 2010, she appeared in It's Kind of a Funny Story, a coming-of-age film adapted from the 2006 novel by Ned Vizzini.[20] Also that year, Kravitz appeared in Twelve, adapted from the cult novel of the same name by Nick McDonell, about a group of wealthy, reckless teens from the affluent Upper East Side of Manhattan. It premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.[21] Kravitz starred as Evie Wallace, a high school sex columnist, in the teen comedy Beware the Gonzo.[22][23] The film premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.[24]

2011–present: Acting breakthrough

In 2011, she appeared in a six-episode arc of the Showtime television series Californication, playing Pearl, an uninhibited musician who recruits Becca (cast-member Madeleine Martin) into her all-girl band, Queens of Dogtown.[25]

She co-starred as Angel Salvadore, one of the superhuman teen mutants, in X-Men: First Class, based on the Marvel Comics characters the X-Men.[26] The film is a prequel to the X-Men film series, and is set in the 1960s during the Cuban missile crisis. Kravitz filmed in London and performed wire work for her role, to simulate her character's ability to fly.[6]

In late 2011, she completed work on the film Treading Water, starring opposite Douglas Smith.[27] She co-starred in After Earth. The M. Night Shyamalan-directed film was released on May 31, 2013.[28]

Kravitz co-starred in Divergent, an adaptation of the young adult novel of the same name. She played Christina, a character in a futuristic society divided into five factions. Shailene Woodley starred in the film, and Neil Burger directed.[29] Kravitz reprised her role in the film series' sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant.

She starred in the independent drama, The Road Within (2014), with Robert Sheehan and Dev Patel. The film was a remake of the 2010 German film Vincent will Meer.[30] Kravitz also filmed Pretend We're Kissing in Toronto in late-2013, playing Autumn, an agoraphobic, bisexual hippie. The romantic comedy co-stars Dov Tiefenbach.[31]

Kravitz appeared alongside January Jones, Ethan Hawke, and Jake Abel in Good Kill (2014), a drama about a warfare drone operator, directed by Andrew Niccol.[32] Kravitz co-starred as the love interest in the comedy-drama Dope, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. She also co-starred in Mad Max: Fury Road, by Australian filmmaker George Miller.[33] Originally scheduled to begin shooting in Australia in early 2011, production was postponed to 2012, and the film was ultimately released in 2015.[34] She filmed Viena and the Fantomes, opposite Dakota Fanning, as well as Vincent-N-Roxxy with Emile Hirsch. Kravitz will also star in Black Belle, playing a gunslinger in the American Old West.[35]

Other ventures

Modeling and fashion

Kravitz has modeled in fashion magazines such as French Jalouse, Venus Zine and Elle. She was named the face of Vera Wang's Princess fragrance in 2009, appearing on the website and in advertisements for the brand.[36] Kravitz starred in a campaign for fashion designer Alexander Wang in 2010,[37] and represented Vera Wang's new Preppy Princess fragrance in 2011.[38] In 2013, Kravitz released a jewelry line in collaboration with the Swarovski crystal company. She used ethnic and vintage jewelry, and her birthstone, Turquoise, as inspiration for her designs.[39] She became the face of Brooklyn-based designer Alexis Bittar's jewelry line in 2015.[40]

Music

Further information: Lolawolf

Kravitz began making music at the age of 16.[41] She fronted the New York/Philadelphia-based band Elevator Fight, which she formed in 2009.[10] The band performed at the South by Southwest music festival and on the main stage of the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia in June 2009, along with The Roots, TV On The Radio, and The Black Keys. She stated in 2011 that her music is a hobby.[6] She also performed with the cabaret troupe The Citizens Band.[41]

Kravitz started the band Lolawolf while in Los Angeles filming The Road Within. Made up of members of the band Reputante, Lolawolf released an eponymous EP and debuted at the Mercury Lounge in November 2013.[8] The band was named after Kravitz' younger siblings, Lola and Nakoa-Wolf.[41] They released their debut album, Calm Down, on October 21, 2014,[42] and supported Lily Allen, Miley Cyrus, and Warpaint on tour in 2014.[43]

Personal life

Kravitz lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.[44][45] The song "Flowers for Zoë", included on her father's second album Mama Said, was written as a tribute to a then three-year-old Zoë Kravitz.[46]

Kravitz is the step-daughter of actor Jason Momoa, who married her mother Lisa Bonet in 2007.[47]

Filmography

Kravitz at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
List of acting performances in film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2007 No Reservations Charlotte
2007 The Brave One Chloe
2008 Assassination of a High School President Valerie
2008 Birds of America Gillian Tanager
2009 The Greatest Ashley
2010 Twelve Gabby
2010 Beware the Gonzo Evie Wallace
2010 It's Kind of a Funny Story Nia
2011 Yelling to the Sky Sweetness O'Hara
2011 Californication Pearl TV series; 8 episodes
2011 X-Men: First Class Angel Salvadore
2013 Treading Water Laura
2013 After Earth Senshi Raige
2014 Divergent Christina
2014 X-Men: Days of Future Past Angel Salvadore Archive footage
2014 Pretend We're Kissing Autumn
2014 The Road Within Marie
2014 Good Kill Vera Suarez
2015 Dope Nakia
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent Christina
2015 Mad Max: Fury Road Toast the Knowing
2016 The Divergent Series: Allegiant Christina
2016 Viena and the Fantomes Band Manager
2016 Vincent-N-Roxxy Roxxy
2016 Adam Green's Aladdin Old Miner
2016 Big Little Lies Bonnie Carlson TV series
2016 Portlandia Kendall TV series
2016 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Leta Lestrange
2017 Rock That Body TBA Filming

Discography

Albums / EPs

Title Details
Lolawolf (EP)
  • Released: February 4, 2014
  • Label: Innit Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download
Calm Down
Every F****n Day (EP)
  • Released: June 26, 2015
  • Label: Innit Recordings
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

Title Year Album
"Drive (Los Angeles)" 2013 Lolawolf
"Wanna Have Fun"
"Jimmy Franco" 2014 Calm Down
"Summertime" N/A
"AYO" Calm Down
"Every Fuckin Day" 2015 "Every F****n Day"

Accolades

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2011 Black Reel Awards Best Breakthrough Performance It's Kind of a Funny Story Nominated
Scream Awards Breakout Performance-Female X-Men: First Class Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Chemistry Nominated
Choice Movie Breakout: Female Nominated

References

  1. "Zoe Kravitz. Alternate Name: Zoe Isabella Kravitz" at All Movie Guide via The New York Times
  2. 1 2 Seebacher, Noreen (December 1, 1988). "Lisa Bonet has baby". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  3. Weiner, Jonah (March 8, 2011). "Hot Progeny: Zoë Kravitz". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  4. O'Kelly, Emer (May 21, 2000). "Lisa returns to the screen from a different world". Irish Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Sanchez, Karizza (February 2015). "Zoë Kravitz Interview". Complex. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Zoë Kravitz – Is she gonna go dad's way?". The Independent. March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  7. "Lisa Bonet's new baby's name is a mouthful". Access Hollywood. msnbc.com. January 9, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Bennett, Kim Taylor (November 5, 2013). "Zoë Kravitz, Her Band Lolawolf, and Their Video For "Wanna Have Fun"". Noisey. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  9. "Lenny Kravitz's actress daughter records album tracks in between filming". WRTV. February 5, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Wolf, Jonah (June 7, 2010). "Zoe Kravitz's Band Elevator Fight Plays Delancey Lounge". Paper. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  11. Nome, Valerie (September 15, 2007). "Zoe Kravitz opens up about family, college life". OK!. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  12. Lovece, Frank (June 5, 2011). "Talking to Zoe Kravitz". Miami Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  13. Naddaf, Raha (August 2007). "Let Zoe Rule". GQ. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  14. "Zoe Kravitz Stars in Jay-Z's Latest Video". People. February 28, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  15. Harvey, Dennis (January 31, 2008). "Birds of America". Variety. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  16. Simmons, Leslie (July 23, 2008). "Five cast in 'Greatest'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  17. Germain, David (March 29, 2010). "Review: Grief goes by the book in 'The Greatest'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  18. Yadegaran, Jessica (November 12, 2009). "Gabourey Sidibe on being 'Precious'". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  19. "Zoe Kravitz wows audiences in 'Yelling to the Sky'". IrishCentral. December 15, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2011.
  20. Kit, Borys (November 2, 2009). "Keir Gilchrist to star in 'Funny Story'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  21. McCarthy, Todd (December 3, 2009). "Sundance unveils complete lineup". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  22. McClintock, Pamela (March 15, 2010). "Tribeca unveils complete lineup". Variety. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  23. Saito, Stephen (April 24, 2010). "Review: "Beware the Gonzo," not your typical teen comedy". Indie Eye. Independent Film Channel. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
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  25. Patrick, Andy (April 30, 2010). "Exclusive: 'Californication' scores Lenny Kravitz's daughter". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  26. McClintock, Pamela (August 17, 2010). "January Jones joins 'X-Men'". Variety. Retrieved August 18, 2010.. WebCitation archive.
  27. Moss, Shavaughn (November 4, 2011). "Bahamas International Film Festival names Zoe Isabella Kravitz as its 2011 rising star honoree". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  28. Wales, George (February 16, 2012). "New image of Jaden Smith in After Earth". Total Film. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  29. Kit, Borys; Siegel, Tatiana (March 11, 2013). "Maggie Q, Zoe Kravitz and Ansel Elgort Join 'Divergent' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  30. McNary, Dave (June 3, 2013). "Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoe Kravitz In 'The Road Within'". Variety. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  31. Vlessing, Etan (October 12, 2013). "'Power Rangers' Matt Sadowski Shooting Debut Feature 'Pretend We're Kissing'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  32. Fleming Jr, Mike (January 29, 2014). "Berlin: 'Mad Men's January Jones Joins Ethan Hawke In Andrew Niccol's 'Good Kill'". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  33. Kit, Borys (January 28, 2010). ""Single Man" co-star joins "Mad Max" movie". Hollywood Reporter. Reuters. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  34. "Mad Max 4 delayed again". ABC News. October 11, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  35. Busch, Anita (June 3, 2015). "Zoe Kravitz Set As Gunslinger In Western 'Black Belle'". Deadline.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
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  41. 1 2 3 Shiffman, Allyson (October 10, 2013). "Sex, Cars, and Zoë Kravitz". Interview. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  42. "Amazon.com: Calm Down [Explicit]: Lolawolf: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com.
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  45. "Live Like A Local in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York". New York Habitat.
  46. Alan, Ryan (January 24, 2008). "Lenny Kravitz". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  47. Live, Emily Tess Katz HuffPost (2014-07-09). "Jason Momoa Gushing About Wife Lisa Bonet Couldn't Be More Adorable". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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