Growing Up German
Although she was born in Arlington, Virginia, Sandra Bullock grew up in Germany and Austria for 12 years during her childhood. This was because her father was a U.S. Army employee. She grew up speaking German and also studied at the Waldorf School in Nuremberg.
Growing Up German
Moving To D.C.
When she was 12 years old, Bullock’s family relocated back to the United States, ultimately settling down in Washington, D.C. While attending high school, Sandra was well-liked and got involved in theater productions as well as cheerleading. She attended college at East Carolina University in Greenville, but left with just three credits left to graduate.
Moving To D.C.
An Early Stage Debut
Bullock’s first performance took place early on in her life. At age 5, she had a small role in an opera while still living in Nuremberg. This piqued her interest in performing, and she continued to perform regularly at the Straatstheater Nurnberg.
An Early Stage Debut
Moving To The Big Apple
Once she left college, Sandra moved to New York City and began working as a bartender to be able to pay the bills. She also began taking acting classes with Sanford Meisner and eventually landed a role in an off-Broadway show. She continued getting by with small roles in B-list movies and TV shows.
Moving To The Big Apple
The Failed Sitcom
Bullock booked an agent soon after, and then was able to land a role in a made for TV film called Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman. She then landed a role in an NBC sitcom called Working Girl, however this show was quickly cancelled. In 1993, she finally got a big break when she appeared in a supporting role in Demolition Man.
The Failed Sitcom
Her Big Performance
Before Sandra officially landed the role of Annie Porter in the hit film Speed, Ellen DeGeneres and Halle Berry were also considered to play the part. However, Bullock wowed producers when she came in for a read with Keanu Reeves. That’s what finally earned her the big role.
Her Big Performance
Everyone Advised Her Against It
While we now know this was a pivotal role for her career, according to a report in People magazine, some people did not think that would be the case. Bullock recalled: “Everyone told me not to do Speed. I mean, it looked like I’d be just ‘the girl,’ but I’ve learned to do things by instinct.” It’s a good thing she didn’t listen to the naysayers!
Everyone Advised Her Against It
Her Kids
In April 2010, Bullock announced to the world that she had gone forward with plans to adopt a baby boy named Louis. Bullock and then-husband Jesse James began the adoption process a few months earlier and the baby boy started to live with them in January of 2010. She wanted to keep it private until she was ready to announce it to the world. After her divorce, she continued as a single parent to baby Louis.
Her Kids
They Grow Up So Fast
Bullock’s long dream of being a mother was finally realized in 2010. She then decided to adopt a second child, a baby girl. Louis and his sister have grown so much since she adopted them, and the three continue to be a strong united family.
They Grow Up So Fast
More Success Followed
Bullock’s career started taking off, and after she appeared in the film While You Were Sleeping, she was also nominated for her first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. After that, she continued to appear in many films with a range of roles.
More Success Followed
She Regrets The Sequel
While she was glad that she went forward with filming Speed, the same cannot be said about the film’s sequel, Speed 2. In an interview with The Nation, Bullock opened up about how she felt: “I’ve always been at the helm of what I do. There’s never been anything that someone said ‘I think you should do… except for Speed 2, which I wish someone would have done.”
She Regrets The Sequel
Her Brief Break
Bullock became a household name after appearing as an undercover FBI agent in Miss Congeniality. She was nominated for a second Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. She then took some well-deserved time off to herself.
Her Brief Break
An Unexpected Allergy
While filming 1996 romcom Two If By Sea alongside Denis Leary, Bullock discovered an allergy that she wasn’t aware of before. While filming a scene with horses, she found out that she was allergic to them. To add insult to injury, her suffering wasn’t worth it in the end, as the film became her worst worldwide opening at the time.
An Unexpected Allergy
Her Dating Life
Sandra Bullock was engaged to actor Tate Donovan after they met while filming Love Potion No. 9, but they broke off their engagement. She later began dating her 28 Days co-star Ryan Gosling until thye broke up a bit over a year later. At the time, her close friend and Two Weeks Notice co-star Hugh Grant teased her about her relationship with Gosling, as he is 16-years her junior, and Grant even referred to Gosling as “The Child.”
Her Dating Life
Surviving A Plane Crash
In the year 2000, Bullock and her boyfriend at the time, Bob Schneider, decided to travel together during the holidays. Unfortunately, their plane skidded off the runway. Luckily, nobody was injured, but they were all still very shaken by what could have been a fatal plane crash.
Surviving A Plane Crash
Becoming A Restaurateur
In 2006, Bullock opened up a restaurant called Bess Bistro in Austin, Texas. The restaurant began as a French bistro but evolved away from its roots. In 2009, Bullock also opened a bakery-deli-flower shop hybrid across the street from Bess Bistro. Unfortunately, the bistro shut down in September 2015.
Becoming A Restaurateur
Not A Fan Of Musicals
While Bullock spent much of her childhood studying music and even being a part of a children’s choir, she has made it clear that this is not her genre of choice. In fact, she said she will never appear in any musical of any kind, as she absolutely hates musicals.
Not A Fan Of Musicals
Tying The Knot
In 2005, Sandra Bullock married motorcycle builder and host of TV shows Monster Garage and Jesse James Is A Dead Man. The two were embroiled in a custody battle with his ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder, to gain custody of his then five-year-old daughter. Bullock and James ended up winning full custody.
Tying The Knot
A Scandal Erupts
It seems as though trouble always find a way to James’ life, however. Many women began to step forward in 2010 to share the fact that they engaged in affairs with James while he was still married to Bullock. He publicly apologized to Sandra and even checked himself into rehab in order to working on “personal issues.” However, Bullock ended up divorcing him in June 2010.
A Scandal Erupts
Dealing With Obsessive Fans
In 2007, a woman was found lying down outside of Bullock and James’ home in California. James tried to confront the woman but she ran into her car and tried to run him over. The woman was charged with felonies of aggravated assault and stalking and in the end received three years probation.
Dealing With Obsessive Fans
Another Stalking Incident
In yet another stalking incident, in 2014, a man broke into Bullock’s house in Los Angeles while she was home. She locked herself in her room and called the police. Luckily he was apprehended and she was not hurt. He was later arrested for missing a court date.
Another Stalking Incident
The Blind Side Breakthrough
In 2009, Bullock was cast in the role of Leah Anne Toughy, wife and mother who took in football player Michael Oher, in the film The Blind Side. This role won her an Academy Award for Best Actress as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. After that, she decided to take some more time off for herself.
The Blind Side Breakthrough
Her 2013 Comeback
In 2013, Bullock finally returned to the big screen when she starred alongside Melissa McCarthy in the huge hit The Heat. Bullock loved the film as she felt it wasn’t stereotypical. In an interview with Parade she said: “I’ve always wanted to do a female buddy film, the kind the guys get to do. This didn’t have anything to do with getting a guy, and it didn’t involve shoe shopping.”
Her 2013 Comeback
The Biggest Hit Yet
Later in 2013, Bullock starred in a lead role of an astronaut and medical engineer in the movie Gravity. The film brought in $720 million worldwide and earned her her second Academy Award nom. She was also named Entertainer of the Year by Entertainment Weekly.
The Biggest Hit Yet
Her Highest Grossing Film
Bullock then decided to venture on to voice acting when she lent her voice for the Minions movie. The movie brought in $1.16 billion dollars worldwide, making it her highest-grossing movie as of now.
Her Highest Grossing Film
Returning After Another Break
Once again, Bullock decided to take a brief hiatus from the limelight. She returned in 2018 when she appeared in an Ocean’s Eleven all-female cast spinoff called Ocean’s 8. Although it was not well received by critics, the film still made nearly $300 million worldwide.
Returning After Another Break
The Latest Buzz
Ever since Bird Box was released, audiences and critics can’t seem to stop talking about it. The film, made by Danish filmmaker Stephanie Bier, saw the highest seven-day viewership for an original Netflix film, with over 45 million viewers tuning in.
The Latest Buzz
She Was Really Blindfolded
Bullock has revealed that at least during half of filming, she was actually blindfolded. She said that this led to many run-ins with the camera during filming. Bullock refused to cut holes in the blindfold, leading to true authenticity and full commitment to her role.
She Was Really Blindfolded
Removing A Little Bit
The only time Bullock agreed to cut holes in the blindfold to increase visibility was when she was holding the children she was acting with. She said: “Any time I had the kids, and I had to run, I had the crew eliminate one layer of the blindfold so I could see outlines.” Safety first!
Removing A Little Bit
What She Didn’t Like About Filming
It appears that filming Bird Box was challenging at times. Bullock opened up and shared that: “I don’t like to be scared. I hate being scared. I hate, hate people who think it’s funny to stand behind doors and scare you because they know that you hate being scared.” We can totally understand that!
What She Didn’t Like About Filming
What The Deleted Scene Revealed
The audience never actually gets to see the creatures that are attacking anyone who opens their eyes. Eric Heisserer, Bird Box screenwriter, shared that a deleted scene actually showed these creatures. Bullock said that”It was a green man with a horrific baby face. It was snake-like.”
What The Deleted Scene Revealed
Helping Out George Lopez
Back in the 90’s before he was famous, George Lopez was working the comedy circuit performing standup all around southern California. Around that time, Bullock was looking for Latino talent to feature in a show. Once she saw Lopez perform, she pitched him the show backstage.
Helping Out George Lopez
Their Friendship
Thanks to Sandra’s exposure, Lopez was able to be featured on one of the most successful sitcoms, aptly named George Lopez. This led to a strong bond and friendship between the two. He said: “If it wasn’t for her involvement in me, or her belief in me, I would have had a very different last 10 years… She invested in me, and she wouldn’t take no for an answer. And with that, and just who she is, she has my undying love, and my undying loyalty.”
Their Friendship
A Major Throwback
Ever since Bullock helped jumpstart Lopez’s career, they have been close friends. One of the first presents that Bullock ever gave Lopez was a Blackberry phone, remember those? She told him: “If you ever need me, I’m your big sister. If you ever need me to be the bad guy, I will be the bad guy.”
A Major Throwback
Almost The Million Dollar Baby
While Bullock has appeared in many blockbuster hits, she did miss out on one great opportunity. She tried to get the film Million Dollar Baby into production, but studios weren’t interested in the film at first. Once they did get on board, Bullock was busy filming Miss Congeniality 2, and Clint Eastwood along with Hilary Swank took on the main role and won an Oscar for it. On the whole ordeal, Bullock said: “When things like that happen, that’s the way they’re supposed to be.”
Almost The Million Dollar Baby
Proud Owner Of A Razzie
While Bullock is known for her acting talents, she has also had a doozy film here and there throughout her career. She actually even received a nomination for Worst Actress at the Golden Raspberry Awards for her role in the movie All About Steve. She was a good sport about it, and even appeared at the ceremony to pick up the award!
Proud Owner Of A Razzie
Motherly Fashion Inspiration
Bullock’s mother was an opera singer who would always be decked out in fashionable attire and costumes that she made herself. She even made clothes for Sandra. She said: “That mortified me as a child because she would make matching minidresses, and we had little gladiator sandals… I was supposed to be the mini version of her, but I didn’t like that feeling.”
Motherly Fashion Inspiration
A Passion For Home Improvement
Apart from acting, Bullock is very passionate about home improvement as it helps her relax. She said: “[Moving] furniture of working on one of the properties I’m renovating. It’s heaven. I get up on Sundays, and I’m literally looking at house listing and Remodelista magazine. I can walk into a building and envision what you can do.”
A Passion For Home Improvement
Big On Acupuncture
In order to relieve stress for herself as well as the cast and crew while filming the movie Murder By Numbers, Bullock hired an acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist. Bullock allegedly gets three acupuncture treatment session a week.
Big On Acupuncture
Hugh Grant – The Ultimate Romantic Partner
Bullock has starred in many romantic comedies throughout her carer. That last one she appeared in was Two Weeks Notice, alongside co-star Hugh Grant. On her co-star, Bullock shared: “I had the ultimate romantic partner in Hugh Grant. So I’ve done that nice chapter in my life, and that chapter is closed.”
Hugh Grant – The Ultimate Romantic Partner