- 18 August 1969
- Edward Harrison Norton
- Boston, MA
- "Life, like poker, has an element of risk. It shouldn't be avoided. It should be faced."
- "I'm an actor and, each time out, I'm trying to convince the audience that I'm this character. Every little thing that people know about you as a person impedes your ability to achieve that kind of terrific suspension of disbelief that happens when an audience goes with an actor and characte [he's] playing. The more you can create that magic bubble, that suspension of disbelief, for a while, the better."
- "First of all, you never make all things for all people and can't always pander to the broadest denominator. I keep an eye toward doing the themes that interest me. Do they move me? Interest me? Make me think? When I run across something that is provocative in an unsettling way, it appeals to me."
- Raised in Columbia, MD
- Speaks fluent Japanese. Following graduation, he worked in Osaka, Japan, consulting for his grandfather's company, Enterprise Foundation, which works to create decent, affordable housing for low-income families.
- He played guitar with the band Hole in two gigs in Los Angeles, in December 1998. In July 1998, after New Yorker jibe in a review of a documentary about Courtney Love, Norton sent the magazine a frameable letter. Norton's missive was in response to "Endless Love," a piece by Daphne Merkin centering on Nick Broomfield's controversial documentary KURT & COURTNEY. The film, filled with speculation that Love's husband Kurt Cobain was a murder victim rather than a suicide, features a litany of Love-haters anxious to air their grievances. The magazine's coverage of Broomfield's film "along with Merkin's thoughtful contributions" didn't sit well with Norton.
- When Norton met with the director for PRIMAL FEAR, he told them that he, like Aaron, came from eastern Kentucky. Norton even spoke with the twang [which he prepared by watching COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER (1980)]. His character Aaron Stampler in PRIMAL FEAR (1996), which was based on a book, did not have a stutter, but when he auditioned he gave him one.
- He and ROUNDERS (1998) co-star Matt Damon competed in the World Series of Poker at Las Vegas on May 1998 with the movie studio Miramax paying the $10,000 per person entrance fee. His character Worm in ROUNDERS (1998) was originally supposed to smoke but avid nonsmoker Edward Norton refused.
- He worked as a waiter, a proofreader, and a director's assistant (to try to get his foot in the door) in New York City. He applied to be a New York City cab driver, but he was rejected for the license because he didn't meet the age requirement.
- His babysitter, Betsy True, went on to perform as Cossette in a Broadway version of Les Miserables. She was the one who originally got Edward nterested in acting, taking him to see his first play ("If I Were A Princess") at age six.
- Turned down the role of Private Ryan in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998).
- Was considered for the role of Andy Kaufman in MAN ON THE MOON (1999). Director Milos Forman could not decide between him and Jim Carrey and left the decision up to the studio. The studio decided to go with Carrey.
- Played 'Captain' in a VH1 'Captain & Tenille' Behind the Music skit on "Saturday Night Live" with friend Drew Barrymore the night before the 1999 Oscars® when he was a nominee for AMERICAN HISTORY X (1998). Barrymore then accompanied him to the Cermonies the next day.
- Salary for PRIMAL FEAR (1996): $50,000; salary for DEATH TO SMOOCHY (2002): $8,000,000.
- Graduated from Wilde Lake High School, Columbia, MD (1987)
- Yale University; B.A. (History, 1991)
- Grandfather: James Rouse, an architect who designed some well-known buildings, including Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston, the center of tourist activity in the city.
- Father: Edward Norton, Sr., an attorney who works for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Mother: Robin Norton, former foundation executive and teacher who passed away from brain cancer, 1997.
- Brother: James (younger)
- Sister: Molly (younger)
- (1999-2003) Dated Salma Hayek.
- (1996-1998) Dated Courtney Love.
Credits:
- PRIMAL FEAR (1996)
THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (1996)
ROUNDERS (1998)
AMERICAN HISTORY X (1998)
FIGHT CLUB (1999)
KEEPING THE FAITH (2000), also Director
THE SCORE (2001)
DEATH TO SMOOCHY (2002)
RED DRAGON (2002)
FRIDA (2002)
25TH HOUR (2002)
THE ITALIAN JOB (2003)
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (2005)
DOWN IN THE VALLEY (2005)
THE ILLUSIONIST (2006)
THE PAINTED VEIL (2006)
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)
MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN (2008)
PRIDE AND GLORY (2009)
LEAVES OF GRASS (2009)
Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 1996: PRIMAL FEAR- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1998: AMERICAN HISTORY X
- 2 nominations