Biography: Christina Ricci

 

Christina Ricci was born in 1980 to a family in Santa Monica, California. Her mother being a Ford Agency model during the 1960s who later turned to being a Real Estate agent. Her father worked many different jobs. Everything from a gym teacher to a lawyer. She is the youngest of four children.

At the age of eight, Ricci was in a school production of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during which a local theater critic took notice. Ricci wasn’t the original pick for the role but devised a plan to get it anyways. She taunted her rival for the role so much so that the young man literally punched her. An act that cost him the part and gave the role over to Ricci. Upon talking about it, Ricci said: "I've always been a really ambitious person. I guess that's the first time it really reared its ugly head" Not long after that she was on “Saturday Night Live” playing a role in several spoof commercials. The role in these landed her an SAG-AFTRA card.

In 1990, Ricci hit the big screen in the movie “Mermaids” as the youngest daughter to Cher’s character. A young woman named Kate. She also worked alongside Cher and Winona Ryder in Cher’s music video for “The Shoop Shoop Song” which was featured on the movie’s soundtrack. Following this, in 1991 she played Wednesday Addams in the “Addams Family” movie. Then in 1993 she reprised her role in the sequel “Addams Family Values”. Both of which being commercial successes. Ricci’s performance being highlighted by critics.

Up next, in 1995, she was the lead role in “Casper” a live adaptation of the cartoon. Also, in 1995, she starred in “Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain” and then in the coming of age drama “Now and Then”. A film gaining a cult following since its release. In 1997, Ricci had a lead role in “That Darn Cat” which received moderate success in theaters.

Later that year she shifted into more adult roles. Her portrayal of Wendy Hood in, “The Ice Storm” a troubled and sexually curious young lady. The role was originally cast to Natalie Portman who ended up pulling out. Then in 1998s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” had her first collaboration with actor Johnny Depp. Also, in 1998 she starred in three independent films. For these roles she gained critical acclaim and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Ricci starred again with actor Johnny Depp in TIm Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow” a film that was a commercial and critical success, awarding her a Saturn Award. Ricci then appeared as the guest host on “Saturday Night Live” during which she accidentally pouches actress Ana Gasteyer in the face.

She then went on to play roles in “200 Cigarettes” in 1999 and “Bless the Child” and “The Man Who Cried” both in 1999 as well. This one being her third time working with Johnny Depp. In 2003 she took the role in a British horror film “The Gathering” where she performed as a young girl wandering through Europe. Then, in “Monster” (also from 2003) she starred opposite Charlize Theron. Speaking of the part she said that it posed a challenge as it "goes completely against who I am [as a person]" and described the filming experience as "dark and depressing"

Ricci (in 2005) was in Beck’s album Guero where she provided vocals for the song “Hell Yes”. In 2006 she played opposite Samuel L Jackson in the drama “Black Snake Moan” which was well received. In 2009 she guest starred in Three episodes of TNT’s “Saving Grace”. Also in 2009 she made her Broadway Theater debut as Mandy in “TIme Stands Still”, her first public performance being in September of 2010.

In “Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star” (2011) she played a kindhearted waitress. The film was written by Adam Sandler. The movie being generally hated by critics. In Variety, Andrew Barker called it "one of the most astonishingly unfunny films of this or any other year", but commended Ricci, who he felt gave her role "more than it deserves"

In 2018 she played in “Distorted” alongside John Cusack as a woman suffering from bipolar disorder. While the film received mixed reviews from critics Ricci’s performance was noted as a highlight. Then in 2022 she was back with the Addams Family. This time as Marilyn Thornhill.

Christina Ricci suffered both with anxiety and anorexia. To add to that her relationship with James Heerdegen, who she had met while working on the series “Pan Am” in 2012 was abusive and after almost seven years of marriage she filed for divorce. In the filing Ricci stated that she was subjected to "severe physical and emotional abuse" by Heerdegen and that "many of these acts of abuse" took place in front of their son. The Los Angeles Police Department had even been called to the home they shared back in June of 2020. Ricci was granted a domestic violence restraining order against her former husband. In April of 2021 she was granted full custody of their son.

In August of 2021 she announced that her and her boyfriend, hairstylist Mark Hampton were expecting her second child. Two months later she announced her marriage to him, announcing their first daughter together in December of 2021.

Christina Ricci  also is a national spokesperson for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). She also later announced that she would no longer wear fur products after backlash from PETA who named Ricci on their Worst Dressed List.

Christina Ricci has quite the history with cinema. An actress worth her weight in gold with a talent that most people can only dream of. What is she going to do next? I can only dream but what I can promise is that whatever it is her performance will be breathtaking.