Unlike many young actors trying to build their careers, Jesse Eisenberg had the luxury of choosing artistically fulfilling roles, almost from the word go. He balanced roles in independent films with those in larger studio fare, and in both instances, had the added benefit of working with significant directors. Coupled with working opposite other accomplished actors, these experiences made him an in-demand, young actor on the cusp of major fame.
Eisenberg was born Oct. 5, 1983 in Bayside, Queens, at the edge of New York City, NY. His parents, Barry and Amy, moved their family to New Jersey when Eisenberg was 16. It was there that Amy Eisenberg gave birth to Jesse's younger sister, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, also an accomplished child actor. It was also around this time that Eisenberg won a spot as a member of the popular youth singing group, The Broadway Kids.
For Eisenberg, 1999 proved an important year professionally, as it was then that he appeared in the Fox dramedy "Get Real" (1999-2000). The dysfunctional, San Francisco-based Green family, of which his character was a member, was a far cry from the tight knit, East Coast, Jewish-American family that Eisenberg grew up a part of. Still, he made enough of an impression, that he began winning parts in a string of feature films. It would be his return to Gotham-centric characters in later independent films that came to define his early on-screen persona.
Eisenberg's next professional breakthrough came with his starring role in "Roger Dodger" (2002), an independent comedy about a teenager who turns to his "ladies' man" uncle in New York City for help chatting up women and losing his virginity. Starring opposite indie film mainstay Campbell Scott and actresses Isabella Rossellini, Jennifer Beals, and Elizabeth Berkley, young Eisenberg more than held his own in the dark, disturbing flick. The film was the feature writing and directing debut of Dylan Kidd, and won the Best Narrative Feature Award at the inaugural Tribeca Film Festival.
Following "Roger Dodger," Eisenberg moved into roles in larger studio films, with the trade-off being, smaller, supporting roles. Eisenberg took another professional step with his work in both "The Emperor's Club" (2002) and the M. Night Shyamalan feature, "The Village" (2004).
However, it was Eisenberg's return to a New York-based, dark indie comedy that became his biggest role to date. Though Eisenberg eventually received good reviews and much attention for his role in "The Squid and the Whale" (2005), his earlier success in "Roger Dodger" nearly prevented his casting in the latter film. Writer-Director Noah Baumbach (on whom Eisenberg's Walt Berkman character was loosely based) sought a less popular actor for the role, but during the many years it took to find funding for the film, Eisenberg won over Baumbach during numerous casting sessions. The film also afforded the young up-and-comer the chance to work opposite accomplished actors Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney, as well as advise his child co-star Owen Kline, son of actor Kevin Kline, who had also starred in "The Emperor's Club."
Eisenberg went on to make his usual dark comedy stamp in "The Living Wake" and Bob Odenkirk's "The F*ck Up," both slated for 2006 releases. |
