Kirsten Dunst biography, husband, net worth, age, awards, children, family 2025

Biography of Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst is an American actress, whose career began in early childhood. In the course of time, she, unlike many child actors, has not lost popularity and remained sought-after. Kirsten is known for her role as Mary Jane in «Spider-Man» and Marie-Antoinette in the drama of the same name. Net worth: $25 million.

Early years

Kirsten Caroline Dunst was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, on April 30, 1982. Her father, Klaus Dunst, supervised the medical care service, and her mother, Inez, worked as a flight attendant. They divorced when Kirsten was a schoolgirl. In 1993, the future actress along with her mother and younger brother Christian moved to Los Angeles.

It is difficult to draw a line and separate Kirsten’s childhood from her career since even the actress herself doesn’t know when she definitely decided that she wouldn’t do anything except cinema. Everything started with commercials: on the street or in the store from time to time people came up to Inez and said that her daughter’s place was just in the frame. The family decided that it was a good opportunity to earn extra money and save it for Kirsten’s college. So in 1985, Dunst first appeared on the set.

In spite of the contracts concluded with the Ford Models and Elite Model Management agencies, and participation in commercial shootings, Kirsten did not study externally or at home. She attended Ranney School in New Jersey but received a certificate in a private Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles in 1999.

Kirsten Dunst was never embarrassed in front of the camera

Inez wasn’t satisfied with a little: she sent her daughter’s photos to the castings. In school years there were periods when Kirsten in the company of her mother visited more than 30 television and screen tests a month. Dunst was never embarrassed in front of the camera, and very quickly adapted to the working rhythm. Therefore, having matured, she did not change her profession ‒ Kirsten had already found her niche.

Acting career

Kirsten’s debut in cinema was the miscellaneous film «New York Stories» (1989). Despite the sonorous names of the film directors: Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese, it was difficult to call it a great success. The six-year-old actress did not even get into the final credit titles. But in the same year, she had the opportunity to voice the central character in the American dubbing of the notorious anime «Kiki’s Delivery Service» directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Kirsten Dunst in the movie «Star Trek: The Next Generation»

Dunst regularly received episodic roles, and although her mother set herself the goal of helping her daughter with her career, she was satisfied with a sparing schedule: she did not want to keep her child excessively busy. Among other things, the young actress was noted in one of the series of the «Star Trek: The Next Generation» (1993).

Kirsten Dunst, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in «Interview with the Vampire»

A breakthrough in her career occurred in 1994 when the film «Interview with the Vampire» was released. Kirsten played as Tom Cruise’s and Brad Pitt’s companion. According to the story, all three of them were ghouls, and the eleven-year-old Dunst was supposed to depict a really adult in a child’s body. Her organic nature and talent were noted both by the audience and critics by the nomination for the Golden Globe for the Best Supporting Actress. She also got statuettes from Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor and from the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance category.

Kirsten Dunst in the movie «Little Women»

«Little Women» (1994) ‒ the film adaptation of the cult book for the USA, is another plus in Kirsten’s filmography, especially since she worked on the same set with Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, and Claire Danes.

For her role in the fantasy «Jumanji» (1995), Dunst again received a nomination for Saturn, but this time the award was taken home by Christina Ricci. Appearance in the series «ER» (1996) was successful: 6 episodes allowed her to claim the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series in the United States.

Kirsten came to the first meeting with the film director Sofia Coppola accompanied by her mother. The daughter of the famous Francis Coppola praised the actress for the fact that she did not remodel her teeth for the sake of Hollywood trends. Kirsten remembered this moment forever. After this conversation, she not only got a part in «The Virgin Suicides» (1999), but also acquired a friend in the person of one of the most promising female film directors.

It was time for the actress to make experiments and choose an «easier» genre. During the following three years, she consistently starred in the dance comedy «Bring It On» (2000), the films «Get Over It» (2001) and «Spider-Man» (2002). All of them were aimed mainly at the youth audience. And the story about Peter Parker starring Tobey Maguire, become a cult one for a whole generation. The first part of the following trilogy stood at the origins of the era of the superhero movies, so the actors risked agreeing to be shot: this niche did not yet have a fan base. {img#images/content/2018/10/uzn_15385001783.jpg Kirsten Dunst in «Mona Lisa Smile»} Further, Dunst participated in «Mona Lisa Smile» (2003) ‒ a strong movie with a meaning that unobtrusively talks about the struggle of women for their rights. «Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind» (2004) with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in leading roles can be called a typical movie for Kirsten ‒ meaningful and dynamic one.

Kirsten Dunst in the movie «Spider-Man 2»

Between the sequels «Spider-Man 2» (2004) and «Spider-Man 3: The Enemy in Reflection» (2007), the actress appeared in the sports movie called «Wimbledon» (2004), in which her partner was Paul Bettany, in «Elizabethtown» (2005) with Orlando Bloom and in the historical «Marie Antoinette» (2005) directed by Sofia Coppola.

Kirsten Dunst in the film «Marie Antoinette»

After the third part of Peter Parker’s adventures, the questions of the continuation of the franchise were repeatedly raised. However, the parties did not manage to agree. Dunst subsequently said that she regretted such a decision by the studio.

Kirsten Dunst in the movie «All Good Things

Kirsten began not the most productive period, which may be the film called «All Good Things» (2009) can be picked out. Director Andrew Jarecki screened the story about the rich heir, played by Ryan Gosling, who fell in love with a girl, not from his circle.

«Melancholia» movie trailer with Kirsten Dunst’s participation

The next round of Dunst ‘s career is associated with «Melancholia» (2011) directed by Lars von Trier. The film turned out to be emotionally hard for audience and actors. The hardship of workflow was fully compensated Kirsten by the recognition: she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, as well as another Saturn.

As it had already happened in the career of the actress, she moved from bright films to those, which received her not so warmly. «Upside Down» (2011), «Bachelorette» (2012), «The Bling Ring» (2013) is very different, beginning from the genre and ending with the characteristics of the characters played by Dunst.

Kirsten Dunst ‒ «Turning Japanese»

Kirsten turned her attention to television and joined the cast of «Fargo « (2015) in the second season. For the role, she was on a special diet to gain some weight. Earlier the actress had talked about greater freedom for creative people in the production of TV series, while in the cinema money often comes first. At the same time, the quality of television projects improved, and Dunst wanted to check her theories in practice, therefore she signed the contract. The result ‒ high ratings of the series, meeting the future fiancé and nomination for Emmy and Golden Globe.

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons in the series «Fargo»

Kirsten was impressed by the script of «Hidden Figures» (2016). She agreed to act including because of the partners in the film: Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae. Although they were on different sides of the barricades according to the plot, harmony reigned on the set. Many people noticed this ‒ the Box Office revenue exceeded the budget by almost 10 times. And although the Oscar did not submit to the film, the Screen Actors Guild awarded the film for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

«The Beguiled» movie trailer with Kirsten Dunst participation

Sofia Coppola again invited Kirsten to work together on the «The Beguiled» (2017). The film director asked the old friend to lose some weight, but she refused. The shooting took place in Louisiana, where there is a rather high-calorie local cuisine, and Dunst, as she herself admitted, loved tasty food. Coppola did not insist.

Interesting facts

The actress supports the US Democrats and agitates for a candidate from this party at every election. Besides this, she calls upon Americans to go to the polling stations and participate more actively in the life of the country.

Kirsten Dunst is a supporter of the US Democratic Party

Kirsten collaborates with a number of charitable foundations. Among the main activity directions of such organizations, she chooses the fight against children’s diseases.

According to Zoomboola.com, in 2008, there were rumors about the drug and alcohol addiction of the actress, according to which she allegedly was treated for several months in a rehabilitation center. Kirsten had to make a statement disproving this information. She actually spent some time in the clinic but struggled not with bad habits, but with depression.

In 2011, Dunst received German citizenship. Shooting, including Hollywood films, is often taken place in Europe, where filmmaking is cheaper, and the citizenship of one of the EU countries greatly simplifies travel. Since Kirsten’s parents are of German descent and his father was born in Stuttgart, there were no problems with obtaining documents.

Kirsten Dunst’s personal life

Since the whole life of the actress has passed in front of the media, her love-affairs attracted public attention and were widely discussed. Fans had a dream that her affair with Jake Gyllenhaal, started in 2002 ended in a wedding. The busy schedule killed the romanticism: the couple announced their split in 2004.

Three years later, Kirsten began to appear in public accompanied by Johnny Borrell from indie rock band Razorlight. They did not stay together for a long time since the shooting of the movie «On the Road» (2012) gave Dunst an acquaintance with a colleague Garrett Hedlund. The loving couple met up to 2016.

Rumors about Kirsten’s love-affairs with Tobey Maguire, Adam Brody, Fabrizio Moretti often appeared in the media, but she very seldom answered frankly the questions about her personal life.

Kirsten Dunst with Jesse Plemons and little son

Kirsten met the actor Jessie Plemons while working on «Fargo» (2015). Less than a year later, they became engaged, and in May 2018, they became parents. Firstborn was named Ennis Howard.

Kirsten Dunst now

Although motherhood made changes to the schedule of the actress, she is not going to stay away from the cameras for a long time. Since 2019, Kirsten Dunst starred in the series "On Becoming a God in Central Florida" in the role of Crystal Stubbs. At the end of the year, it was extended for a second season.

Kirsten Dunst is not going to stay away from the cameras for a long time

Kirsten Dunst: latest news and articles

Melanie Evans

I remembered her as Marie Antoinette! This role suited her so well. In general, she is a good and talented person.

2021-05-09 16:35:02
Jean Johnson

Eternally shining Kirsten :) You really always notice her but I can`t say that she is a super beautiful :)

2021-05-01 14:21:41
Annette Bell

I`ve always liked Dunst for her mediocrity and lightness :) and she also looks good in comedies

2021-03-13 17:07:42
Jeff Anderson

I don`t understand those who say that Dunst is attractive. I don`t like her at all, she has a repulsive appearance, I don`t even know why.

2021-03-02 19:56:10
Mary Pope

Kirsten is charming. I first saw her in Spider-Man and now I`m a big fan of her. It was interesting to read about her life

2021-01-05 10:30:38