Edward Norton: American Film Actor
Biography
Full Name: Edward Harrison Norton
Date of Birth: August 18, 1969
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality: American
Profession: Actor, Filmmaker
Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Early Life and Education
Edward Norton was born in Boston and raised in Columbia, Maryland. His father, Edward Mower Norton Jr., was a former federal prosecutor and environmental lawyer, while his mother, Lydia Robinson, was a teacher and foundation executive. He is the eldest of three children.
Norton showed a keen interest in acting from a young age, participating in local theater productions. He attended Wilde Lake High School and later enrolled at Yale University, where he studied History and graduated in 1991. While at Yale, he also acted in university productions and honed his craft under the guidance of the university's renowned drama department.
Family
Edward Norton married Canadian film producer Shauna Robertson in 2012. The couple has one son, Norton is known for keeping his personal life very private, maintaining a low profile outside of his professional work.
Career
Breakthrough and Acclaim
Norton made a stunning film debut in Primal Fear (1996), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He quickly rose to prominence with critically acclaimed roles in American History.
Versatile Filmography
His wide-ranging roles include:
Rounders (1998)
The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)
25th Hour (2002)
The Illusionist (2006)
The Painted Veil (2006)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Birdman (2014)
Isle of Dogs (2018, voice role)
Norton also directed and wrote Keeping the Faith (2000) and the noir thriller Motherless Brooklyn (2019), which he produced, directed, and starred in.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Edward Norton's net worth is estimated at approximately $300 million. In addition to acting, he is a savvy investor, having been an early backer of tech companies like Uber. He is also actively involved in philanthropy and environmental advocacy.
Awards and Honours
Golden Globe Award
(Best Supporting Actor for Primal Fear)
3 Academy Award Nominations
Primal Fear (1996)
American History X (1998)
Birdman (2014)
Screen Actors Guild Awards (Nominated)
Critics' Choice Awards
Multiple film festivals and critics' accolades
Legacy
Edward Norton is widely respected for his artistic integrity, deep character work, and intellectual approach to storytelling. Known for being selective about roles, his contributions to both mainstream and independent cinema remain influential.
