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Peter Sarsgaard Biography

Birth Name:John Peter Sarsgaard

Birth Place:Belleville, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Producer

Fast Facts

In 2004, won the National Society of Film Critics Award for best supporting actor for his role in the drama "Shattered Glass" about the 1998 journalism scandal at The New Republic magazine
Attended Bard College in New York before moving to Washington University in St․ Louis in 1991, where he founded the improv comedy group "Mama's Pot Roast․"
Married actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in 2009
At the age of 7, with aspirations to be become a professional soccer player, took up ballet to help improve his coordination but gave up the sport after suffering several bad concussions
After performing in plays in a branch of New York's Actors Studio in St․ Louis, graduated with a degree in history in 1993 and moved to New York
Quote: "[on his role in "Shattered Glass"] "I think that I tried to have some respect for myself and that way you're respecting the real person you're playing ․․․ The best thing to do is just ignore the fact ․․․ that you're playing somebody who is [real]․""
Quote: "[on being raised Catholic] "You're supposed to love your enemy․ That really impressed me as a kid, and it has helped me as an actor ․․․ To abandon curiosity in all personalities, good or bad, is to give up hope in humanity․""
Studied acting with acting coach Terry Schreiber at the T․ Schreiber Studio in New York City, where actors Edward Norton and Broadway actress Kimilee Bryant both attended

Awards

2003BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2003KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2003SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2003Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2003TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Male: winner
2003VVFP Award-Best Supporting Performance: winner
2003WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
2004Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2004Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2004ICS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Best Actor-: winner
2004NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2004OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2004Best Actor-: winner
2005Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2005Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
2005Glitter Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2005Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2005NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2005WIN Award-Actor in Film: nominated
2009EDA Special Mention Award-Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction: winner
2009ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010Cinema Vanguard Award-: winner
2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Supporting Actor: nominated
2014INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: nominated
2022OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: nominated
2023Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2025Gold Derby TV Award-Limited/Movie Supporting Actor: nominated
2025OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, Limited or Anthology Series: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: nominated