Peter Sarsgaard

An actor noted for his ability to access what is behind the often complicated facades of the characters he plays, Peter Sarsgaard will add to his burgeoning reputation with roles in several projects due for release over the next year.

In Fall 2004, Sarsgaard completed production on THE SKELETON KEY. Penned by Ehren Kruger (THE RING) and directed by Iain Softley, the New Orleans-set story follows a young woman, played by Kate Hudson, who begins to experience eerie occurrences in the home of the elderly couple for whom she's caring. Sarsgaard plays the love interest of Hudson's character, whose initial skepticism gradually turns to concern.

Sarsgaard has completed production on the Disney/Imagine Entertainment- produced thriller FLIGHT PLAN, co-starring Jodie Foster. Directed by Robert Schwentke, the film follows an FBI agent who tries to help a woman find the daughter who has mysteriously disappeared during flight.

In 2003, Sarsgaard received critical acclaim for his portrayal of New Republic editor Charles Lane in Billy Ray's SHATTERED GLASS. For his performance, Sarsgaard garnered awards from the Boston, San Francisco, St. Louis, Toronto and National Society of Film Critics, as well as Golden Globe and Spirit Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

He is perhaps best known for his role as Teena Brandon's friend, then tormentor and rapist, in Kimberly Pierce's' BOYS DON'T CRY. Starring opposite Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny, Sarsgaard received critical praise for his searing portrayal of the violent ex-con ill-equipped to deal with a startling discovery.

Other roles include Kathryn Bigelow's submarine thriller, K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER opposite Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson; D.J. Caruso's THE SALTON SEA, opposite Val Kilmer; EMPIRE, opposite John Leguizamo; and Wayne Wang's controversial THE CENTER OF THE WORLD opposite Molly Parker. Sarsgaard first gained notice as Leonardo Di Caprio's rival and John Malkovich's son in THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK. He also appeared in Larry Clark's ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE and Tim Robbins' DEAD MAN WALKING with Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.

On the small screen, Sarsgaard starred in Showtime's acclaimed feature, “Freak City,” produced by Michael Stipe and Sandy Stern's Single Cell Pictures.

A member of Douglas Carter Beane's New York-based theater company, The Drama Department, Sarsgaard appeared recently in their off-Broadway production "Kingdom of the Earth," opposite Cynthia Nixon and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. He was also seen on stage in 2003 in the Signature Theatre Company's acclaimed revival of Lanford Wilson's "Burn This."

Sarsgaard attended the Actors' Studio Program at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, after which he was cast in Horton Foote's "Laura Dennis" at the Signature Theatre Company Off-Broadway.

Mongrel Media