Quvenzhané Wallis (born August 28, 2003) is an American actress who became widely known after her first feature film. Her performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild brought her international attention and earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the youngest person ever nominated in that category at age nine.
Early life
Wallis was born and raised in Houma, Louisiana. She began acting and performing at a young age and was cast in her breakout role while still a child.
Career
Wallis made her screen debut in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), playing the central character and receiving strong critical notice for the role. After that breakthrough she appeared in several films, taking supporting and leading parts across different genres.
- She portrayed Margaret Northup in the historical drama 12 Years a Slave (2013).
- Wallis starred as the title character in the 2014 film version of the musical Annie.
- She provided the voice of Almitra in the animated adaptation of The Prophet (2014).
Beyond these projects, Wallis has continued to work in film and related media while balancing education and public appearances. Her early Oscar nomination remains a notable milestone in her career.