Trivia

Children with Warren Beatty: Kathlyn (b. January 8, 1992), Benjamin (b. August 23, 1994), Isabel (b. January 11, 1997) and Ella Beatty (b. April 8, 2000).

Was the subject of an urban legend claiming that she had been the model for the Columbia Pictures logo. This rumor was untrue but so widespread that Bening, herself, told Roger Ebert that she believed it to be true.

Quit smoking in 1994. Uses herbal cigarettes if she has to smoke in a film.

She was originally slated to play Tess Coleman in Freaky Friday (2003) but backed out shortly before filming, and was replaced by Jamie Lee Curtis.

As of 2014, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Bugsy (1991), American Beauty (1999) and The Kids Are All Right (2010). American Beauty (1999) won in the category.

She said that her idols are Helen Mirren, Frances McDormand, Liv Ullmann and Ingrid Bergman.

Once spent a year on a charter boat, working as a cook.

Shortly after Bugsy (1991) wrapped up production, learned she was pregnant with her and costar Warren Beatty's son, K.E.B.B..

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California in November 10, 2006.

At 63rd Annual Academy Awards (1991), host Billy Crystal introduced Bening by saying, "She'll soon be appearing as none other than Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992)," a role that the studio gave to Michelle Pfeiffer when Bening became pregnant.

While Bening is a Democrat, she publicly criticized Hillary Clinton's 2000 bid for a seat in the Senate representing New York as the work of an opportunist.

Has appeared on The Sopranos (1999) as herself and was married to actor John Heard in the episode.

In California, she finished high school in three years at Patrick Henry High School and studied theater for two years at San Diego Mesa College. She subsequently attended San Francisco State University and was certified with a drama degree.

Is the chairman of the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Sciences (AMPAS).

Eldest child Kathlyn Elizabeth came out as transgender at age 14 and changed name to Stephen Ira.

Was the first choice to play the role of Carolyn Burnham in American Beauty (1999).

Sister-in-law of actress/producer/director/writer Shirley MacLaine.

In 2001, she was in talks to star in a biography of Judy Garland titled "Rainbow's End," but the film never came to be. It was to have been executive produced by director Oliver Stone and Sidney Luft, Judy Garland's ex-husband, with it focusing on the behind-the-scenes story of Judy's disastrous weekly television variety series in the early 1960's.

Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: (1987) Best Featured Actress in a Play for "Coastal Disturbances," and (2019) Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for "All My Sons". Annette was also nominated for the Theater World Award for "Coastal Disturbances," which she won.

Her first husband was American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) director J. Steven White. They met in 1981, married in 1984, separated in 1986 and divorced in 1991.

Has played a real estate agent three times: Regarding Henry (1991), American Beauty (1999) and What Planet Are You From? (2000).

Siblings: Jane (b. 1953), Brad (b. 1955) and Byron (b. 1957).

She has German, English, Irish and Welsh ancestry. Her surname is German.

Former board member of the small Los Angeles theater company "The Actors' Gang.".

Has appeared in three films directed by Mike Nichols: Postcards from the Edge (1990) (in a bit part), Regarding Henry (1991) and What Planet Are You From? (2000).

The longest she has gone without an Oscar nomination is fourteen years, between The Kids Are All Right (2010) and Nyad (2023).

Starred in the theatrical play "If All the Sky Were Paper" narrated by Garrett Schweighauser alongside Laura Dern, Gary Cole, Jim Beaver, Christopher Sweeney, and Michael Conner Humphreys.

Actor Steven Schub (lead singer of ska band The Fenwicks) and actress Teri Hatcher were among her students at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

Studied at San Diego Mesa College, and completed her drama degree at San Francisco State University. Studied at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater and joined its acting company.

Graduated from Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, Calif., just days after turning 17 - a year earlier than most. (June 1975)

Received the American Riviera Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 28, 2011.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 74th Venice International Film Festival in 2017.

During an early part of her career in New York, she auditioned for a role on the soap opera Loving (1983). A screen test was offered, and after thinking about it, she declined to pursue the matter.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1990" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 42.

Hired to play the romantic lead on the sitcom Just in Time (1988). After the first table read, the producers fired her saying they "wanted to move the character in a new direction." She was replaced by Patricia Kalember.

She was offered the role of Meredith Johnson in Disclosure (1994), but had to turn the part down when she became pregnant so the part went to Demi Moore.