Margaret Qualley was born on October 23, 1994 in Kalispell, Montana, USA. She has been passionate about acting since a young age, inspired by her mother Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day), who is also an actress. Qualley made her acting debut in 2013 in the indie drama, Palo Alto.
In 2024, Qualley will share the screen with renowned actress Demi Moore and Dennis Quaid in the body horror movie, The Substance. The film has already made waves after premiering at Cannes in May 2024, with Qualley’s performance receiving heaps of praise. Ahead of the film’s release on September 20, here’s where you may have seen Margaret Qualley before.
The Nice Guys (2016)
After she made her debut in 2013, Margaret Qualley didn’t appear in another movie until 2016. However, she kept busy with TV and modelling work in between pictures. In The Nice Guys, as a relatively unknown actress, Qualley stood proudly next to Hollywood heavyweights Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. The acclaimed crime comedy tells the story of two mismatched private detectives who investigate the disappearance of a young woman, which also ties in with the death of a well-known porn star. Qualley starred as Amelia Kuttner, a young woman who is connected to the missing girl, who also has crucial information that could destroy a major corporation. Shane Black‘s (Lethal Weapon) script brings razor-sharp dialog and suspense, which Qualley executed with precision, putting her on the map in Hollywood soon after.
Watch The Nice Guys on Prime Video
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
The Leftovers, created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta, is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged drama that explores the aftermath of a global event known as the “Sudden Departure”, in which 2% of the world’s population vanishes without explanation. Set three years after the event, the show follows the residents of Mapleton, New York, as they struggle to come to terms with the trauma and uncertainty that has been left in its wake. The show’s protagonist, Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), is a police chief who must navigate the chaos and desperation of his community, while also dealing with his own personal demons.
Meanwhile, his wife Laurie (Amy Brenneman) becomes increasingly obsessed with finding answers about the Departure, which she believes is connected to her daughter’s disappearance. The show’s unique blend of mystery, suspense, and introspection delves into themes of grief, faith, and the human condition, raising more questions than it answers about the nature of existence and the meaning of life. Margaret Qualley shined bright amongst a star-studded cast as Jill Garvey, a reckless teen who finds herself embroiled in controversy. She brought tremendous depth to the role and showcased her versatility as her character arced through the show’s 3-season run.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a nostalgic and stylized drama that brings together real-life figures from 1969 Los Angeles with fictional characters, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. The film is set during the tumultuous summer of ’69, when the Manson Family was terrorizing the city and the music scene was changing forever. The story follows Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a faded television actor, and his stunt double and close friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), as they navigate the changing Hollywood landscape. Meanwhile, Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), an up-and-coming actress and wife of director Roman Polanski, becomes the focus of Charles Manson’s (Damon Herriman) twisted obsession.
Quentin Tarantino‘s signature style is on full display as he reimagines this pivotal moment in history, weaving together actual events with fictional characters and outcomes. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood arguably served as Margaret Qualley’s biggest movie role, sharing much of her screen time with Brad Pitt. In the movie, she starred as Pussycat, a free-spirited yet unhinged member of the Manson family who attempts to lure Cliff into the twisted cult in one of the movie’s most suspenseful scenes.
Watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on Hulu
Maid (2021)
Maid is the project for Margaret Qualley that really showcased her talent as a leading actress. The Netflix original series follows Alex Russell, a young mother who flees an abusive relationship and finds a job cleaning houses. The heartwarming and at times heartbreaking series charts Alex’s fight to provide for her child and build them a better future with the hopes that her past won’t come knocking. Although the series went somewhat under the radar compared to other Netflix originals and only enjoyed one season, it was met with a lot of critical praise. To that, Qualley landed both a Critics Choice and Primetime Emmy nomination for her dazzling lead role.
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Kinds of Kindness marked Margaret Qualley’s second collaboration with 5-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Yorgos Lanthimos. The two had previously worked together in 2023’s Poor Things. However, her role was rather small. In Kinds of Kindness, Qualley rises to the forefront, taking on multiple roles, truly showcasing her dramatic ability and comedic prowess. Sharing the screen with renowned actors like Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, and Emma Stone, Qualley lights up the screen with a mix of ferocity and dark humour. If you couple this with her role in The Substance, 2024 could be the year that she establishes herself as an A-list Hollywood star. Want to read more about The Substance? Here’s our breakdown of the teaser trailer.
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