Kelly O'Sullivan (born 1983/1984) is an American actress, screenwriter, director, and producer. She wrote and starred in Saint Frances (2019), which won the Audience Award and the Special Jury Award at 2019 SXSW Film Festival.[1] She also wrote and co-directed Ghostlight, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Kelly O'Sullivan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983 or 1984 (age 40–41) Arkansas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, screenwriter, director |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Notable works |
|
Biography
editO'Sullivan was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas to an accountant mother and a father who worked in health insurance.[2][3] She was raised Irish Catholic and attended Immaculate Conception school until eighth grade.[2][4]
O'Sullivan always wanted to be an actor and, supported by her cinephile parents, she performed in local children's theatre plays from age five.[5] She studied theatre at Northwestern University and is also an alumna of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's School at Steppenwolf in Chicago.[6]
Inspired by Greta Gerwig, who directed Lady Bird, O'Sullivan wrote Saint Frances based on the experiences she had while working as a nanny to support her struggling acting career in her twenties and an abortion she had in her early thirties. She started work on the script in January 2018, already intending the film to be directed by partner Alex Thompson. She wrote the parts for the lesbian parents in the film for actors Lily Mojekwu and Charin Alvarez.[7]
In 2024, O'Sullivan co-directed, with Thompson, Ghostlight which had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was scheduled in June 2024 by IFC Films and Sapan Studio.[8][9][10][11]
Personal life
editO'Sullivan is in a relationship with director Alex Thompson. She identifies as an agnostic feminist.[4] She has stated that her favourite film is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).[12]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | In Memoriam | Kelly | |
| 2015 | Henry Gamble's Birthday Party | Candice Noble | |
| 2015 | Sleep With Me | Rachel | |
| 2016 | Jessica | Pam | |
| 2017 | Ladies' Night | Kelly | Short, writer, executive producer, co-director |
| 2018 | Olympia | Becca | |
| 2018 | Not Welcome | Penelope | |
| 2019 | Saint Frances | Bridget | Writer, executive producer |
| 2022 | Cha Cha Real Smooth | Bella | [13] |
| 2022 | Rounding | Dr. Kayla Matthews | [14] |
| 2023 | The Graduates | Vicki | |
| 2024 | Ghostlight | — | Director, screenplay |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Battleground | Sarah | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | The Mob Doctor | Annabelle Hanson | 1 episode |
| 2014-2015 | Sirens | Valentina 'Voodoo' Dunacci | Recurring role (22 episodes) |
| 2015 | The History of Us | Katie | TV movie |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Watch Dogs | Additional voices | Voice role |
References
edit- ^ "SXSW Film Awards". SXSW. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ a b Stevenson, Seana (14 November 2020). "Saint Frances Interview: Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson". The MUFF Society Blog. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ Mottram, James (9 July 2020). "Saint Frances star Kelly O'Sullivan: 'A female body is messy — but we've had to keep it invisible'". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ a b Kemp, Ella (24 July 2020). "Shame On Who? In Conversation With Kelly O'Sullivan on 'Saint Frances'". Girls On Tops. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ Jones, Ralph (16 July 2020). "Kelly O'Sullivan: how the rising 'Saint Frances' star made 2020's best indie film". NME. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Jones, Chris (27 October 2006). "Scene Stealers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ Pugh, Lindsay (15 November 2020). "Saint Frances Interview: On shame, healing, abortion, and blood". Seventh Row. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "Ghostlight". 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Lang, Brent (January 25, 2024). "IFC Films, Sapan Studio Buy 'Ghostlight' Following Critically Acclaimed Sundance Debut (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (April 18, 2024). "'Ghostlight': IFC Films To Release Alex Thompson & Kelly O'Sullivan Drama In Theaters This June". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Rebecca. "Kelly O'Sullivan's debut script 'Saint Frances' brings an authentic look into womanhood". Cinema Femme. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ "'Cha Cha Real Smooth': Sundance Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ "Sidney Flanigan, Namir Smallwood to Star in 'Rounding' From 'Saint Frances' Director Alex Thompson (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 5 March 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.