Jennifer Connelly Breaks Down Her Career, from 'Top Gun' to 'Labyrinth' | Vanity Fair

Jennifer Connelly walks us through her legendary career, discussing her roles in 'Once Upon a Time in America,' 'Labyrinth,' 'Requiem for a Dream,' 'A Beautiful Mind,' 'Shelter,' 'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Dark Matter' and more.
'Dark Matter' is now streaming on Apple TV+.
00:00 Jennifer Connelly
00:36 Once Upon a Time in America
02:52 Labyrinth
04:55 Requiem for a Dream
07:33 A Beautiful Mind
09:21 House of Sand and Fog
10:21 Shelter
11:32 Top Gun: Maverick
13:31 Dark Matter
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[@worrywirt]

One of the most beautiful women alive

[@dynarec]

And Talented beyond belief

[@veggigoddess]

Used to be. She looks just a haggard and tired here

[@user-vu4yl3yo3p]

Amen

[@darren6202]

lol

[@NoCopyrightBangers]

why does she look so different now? Like she has completely different features.

[@josedejesus6134]

The fact that I will never watch Requiem for a Dream a second time, tells you all you need to know about how amazing her performance was. That movie destroyed me.

[@loveforeignaccents]

Well, obviously you watched it. You mean you will never re-watch it. EDIT: And when you edit your comment, this is the proper way to edit it so people who don't have that many brain cells can figure out what actually took place at the time of your original post, what you originally stated.

[@moes_film]

I think it’s ok to rewatch. You’re at a different point in your life hopefully with different perspective and experiences so you’ll see the movie differently.

[@Yeniphur]

@@moes_film Agreed

[@smp123abc]

Fully agree, it was a brilliant movie but wholly molley it was so intense.

[@letrahisondesimages]

You’re a wussy.

[@mmclaurin8035]

One of the most beautiful actresses in the history of Hollywood.

[@_chillblaine]

*actor

[@greyLeicester]

Yeah, before she refined her nose and reduced her chest... Now she looks like Demi Moore

[@claudej8805]

@@greyLeicester Do you know for sure, how ?

[@deleted01]

@@_chillblaine *actress because she's female

[@weho_brian]

@@greyLeicester she looks like demi moore because she's an aging woman, not because of surgery

[@numbersandsports4206]

Her performance as lead women in Labyrinth was incredible. Not to mention she was in like 90% of scenes as well at such a young age. She embodied someone facing a life or death situation but also the curiosity of a teenager being in a fantasy land.

[@purplemist7]

She was a minor then, so not a woman.

[@Cutay7BOOTAY]

She definitely should’ve got an Oscar nod for Requiem and Ellen Burstyn should’ve won it that year

[@danshepard5083]

I'm still in shock that Ellen didn't win. To me, that was the performance of the year, and it's a travesty that she didn't win for it.

[@HughCorbyCruick]

Exactly. Doubt if enough people saw Requiem… when it first came out.

[@Lakepaul2]

Requiem is a masterpiece.

[@HumanBeanbag]

Correctamundo

[@LiirThropp2687]

I still find it ridiculous that Ellen didn't win. One of the most devastating, heartbreaking performances I've ever seen.

[@Dethmaster64]

I wish she could’ve had time to talk about Dark City

[@sky.the.infinite]

She probably did but they edited it out… I really hate that they don’t have them talk more about more films

[@Toni-cm2dv]

I wish she had time to talk about her entire career tbh. But so grateful she talked about some of them!

[@PelvisPresley420]

Omg that movie is so boring, stupid and overrated Omg

[@warchild9381]

@@PelvisPresley420 sure thing "pelvispresley420". so bad lol

[@unsungzero6122]

​@@PelvisPresley420If anything it's underrated. It was like The Matrix before The Matrix existed.

[@Lolarose10-rp5cx]

She was phenomenal in Requiem for a Dream

[@PelvisPresley420]

She's also phenomenal in phenomenon

[@deleted01]

wass to wass

[@dropshot118]

double sided dil action

[@johnnyversace2512]

House of sand and fog is atrociously underrated. The sheer screen presence of Jennifer and Ben Kingsley's characters alone are out of this world. A masterpiece that deserves more love!

[@raniii652]

How on earth did Jennifer not receive an oscar nomination for her performance😭

[@dressedindreams2198]

I think it’s just time giving you that perspective… it was so big it was almost zeitgeist every critic and film lover was talking about it. I think that’s more important than commercial success.

[@Roman888]

@@raniii652 She was snubbed big-time. Better than all of the nominees that year except for the winner.

[@iamsheep]

So great, the build up with those two characters was so tense and heartbreaking. That scene on the steps of the courthouse was so shocking.

[@bumblebee898]

Love that movie. She was amazing as always

[@dub88acc]

You cant just skip over The Rocketeer. That was prime JC

[@raniii652]

Why did they skip that😭😭😭

[@joes9954]

@@raniii652Absolutely criminal that they did.

[@quakercarlos1]

I was here for the Rocketeer!

[@FiftyFive74]

Agree. That was the first movie I saw her in and I was completely mesmerized.

[@Gremlin2427]

She was my crush as a kid cos of the Rocketeer!

[@mm369]

Jennifer is a natural, so beautiful and articulate. You can tell she really is careful and selective about which roles she takes and it shows in her performances

[@Toni-cm2dv]

I completely agree. I really appreciate your thoughtful and positive response. I think Jennifer has chosen projects that help her expand her ability to empathize with the women she takes on to play onscreen. She definitely seems detail-oriented and apparently, according to her husband, extremely fastidious. She's such a pro.

[@deleted01]

iss to iss

[@redcomet0079]

The fact that her first movie was Sergio Leoné’s last movie just goes to show how epic she is. Loved her in Hulk, The Rocketeer & Alita Battle Angel

[@JaradGreene]

Fun hearing her say “Hoggle” again ☺️

[@quinnaddison420]

Truly one of the most naturally beautiful and gifted actresses in Hollywood, she always feels genuine

[@Pierre-LucTremblay]

Not naturally she had her nose done in early 2000

[@JP-xd6fm]

@@Pierre-LucTremblay Yeah, totally unnecesary imo. But she looks gorgeous even with that done

[@RobertChanTV]

I can’t believe you did not ask about CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

[@evaizehiphop]

or BLOOD DIAMOND

[@evaizehiphop]

or DARK CITY

[@mathieuduval7544]

For me that movie is a classic and i had a HUGE crush!!! Rocketeer, Hot Spot.... buy i really thought CO was made in 1989!?.... and she said she was 10 when she did Once in America in 1984 but she was born in 1970!?

[@bgvracar-zw5jt]

Or "Hot spot".

[@somemusicnerd2000]

or Phenomena

[@SleepFan771]

I've loved Jennifer Connelly ever since I first saw her in Labyrinth when I was a kid. She's still gorgeous and a phenomenal actress. Once Upon a Time in America, Labyrinth, Career Opportunities, The Rocketeer, Dark City, Requiem for a Dream, A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond, The Day The Earth Stood Still, 9, to Top Gun: Maverick all all classics.

[@deleted01]

wass to wass

[@pierhamid]

Don't forget ' Hot spot '

[@Shrapnel92]

I wish she had talked about Dario Argento's Phenomena. Very underrated.

[@brent6512]

Can’t believe they didn’t start with that

[@norm_h3121]

I've been in love with this woman since I was a teenager. For more than 30 years, she has remained one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood...and the world.

[@arystanbeck914]

30? It has been 40 years since Once Upon Time in America was made.

[@wishingonthemoon1]

She’s honestly one the absolute top actresses in Hollywood. And one of the most gorgeous, effortlessly. Kind and humble and crazy talented.

[@deleted01]

oss to oss

[@beebumble9664]

I saw Jennifer in the convenient store downtown New Haven when she was attending Yale. Total babe. I've admired and appreciated her for a long time. She's a triple threat: talent, brains & beauty. She sure hit the jackpot in life. Kudos to her.

[@DH-ex4nv]

When she did Requiem for a Dream, she was no longer just a beautiful actress, but proved to be one of the best to ever do it. I still wonder what happened to her character, Marion Silver and her exquisite rage. She should have won an Oscar for the breakthrough role.

[@deleted01]

ess to ess

[@myleshigh9851]

Career Opportunities made her iconic in my childhood

[@bcab7955]

What struck me about Jennifer here is just how vulnerable and relatable she is when reflecting on her career. She used shared interactions with fellow cast and crew experiences to build a narrative, providing us a behind the scenes special moments for her that's held long term impacts. What an absolute gem.

[@deleted01]

dass to dass

[@stephanebriand405]

I remember seeing her for the first time in Labyrinth and being so mesmerized by her, I was only 10 but I thought she was just sooo beautiful.

[@MsUltraBob]

Loved her performance in Dario Argentos Phenomena. I think it’s on of her most underrated movie roles. Just watched it last year for the first time and was pleasantly surprised how entertaining it is.

[@Emelefpi]

I would have definitely liked to hear her thoughts that filming experience

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

​@@EmelefpiShe talked about it on David Letterman, describing it as a beautiful fairytale movie. Circa 1986, I think. Her opinions of her own movies have changed over the years as you would expect.

[@a211Q]

@@EmelefpiLike about a chimp biting off her finger? Yeah, must be quite memorable...

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

A video game inspired by her, Clock Tower, is getting re-released with new classic CG art.

[@MsUltraBob]

@@sboinkthelegday3892 yes finally I can try this one out. Looks like a pretty interesting game.

[@trinaq]

Jennifer simply ages like fine wine, she's in her mid 50s, yet she still looks gorgeous. She and Lily Collins look like they could be related, which is probably why they were cast as mother and daughter in a movie.

[@shadysorkin9214]

Jennifer and Jodi Foster both look even more beautiful somehow as they age.

[@musstakrakish]

People can be beautiful at any age

[@judahh3509]

why you talking about “yet she still looks gorgeous” stop associating age with beauty

[@fdsfsdfsd1552]

@@judahh3509 - Wait, you don't think the aging process has a tendency to make people less beautiful?

[@dondrap513]

She looks like she's 50. No one really ages "like fine wine". Everyone peaks early in life, usually by 30 and declines. Everyone. Some people just decline faster than others.

[@Goblinmoon]

Simply saying she's beautiful isn't enough. She is iconic... in talent, attitude and looks.

[@perryjones7771]

Her performance in “A Beautiful Mind” is one of the best captured on film.

[@kamilleseven283]

Thank you for the Labyrinth! It's one of my childhood favs.

[@Bayan1905]

I remember watching Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth when I was a teenager when it first came out, and I remember telling people, she's going to be a star, you could see it in her even then that she had an amazing amount of talent even then.

[@Disciplined_Fate]

Who's here for Labyrinth?

[@clarence.anderson]

Now how could they NOT include Snowpiercer? She basically ran that show

[@perryjones7771]

I just know that her shoulders were hurting sis CARRIED

[@Billwolkoff]

Agreed

[@andymcguire237]

No Dark City, no Alita, no Rocketeer?!?! Very sad.

[@revised-reality]

How could you tease us with The Rocketeer like that 😭

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

Charmed, doubly charmed.

[@realBrianCars]

We in the Rocketeer hive won't give up on that movie getting its due.

[@danielbarnes547]

She hated doing it...

[@revised-reality]

lol no. When asked about the potential upcoming sequel: “This is complete news to me, to be honest with you,” Connelly says with a genuine laugh. “I had a great time making that movie. It was really fun, and it was such a big scale movie. We had amazing sets, we had amazing actors. I had a great time.”

[@YossGold]

Ha! I thought the same!! I was like, come on, it wasn't THAT bad 😂😂

[@devi_47]

AND DIDN'T TALK ABOUT BLOOD DIAMOND??

[@scottbarkley496]

Didn't do well at the box office

[@filmreviewer117]

I know. People sleep on that film so hard.

[@raniii652]

@@scottbarkley496it didn’t?

[@scottbarkley496]

@@raniii652 170m on 100m budget

[@raniii652]

@@scottbarkley496 I mean requiem for a dream didn’t do well at the box office either but still got mentioned in the video

[@KirkRedgate]

She was one of my first crushes as a kid, watching Labyrinth and Career Opportunities 😁. We all know the scene. Dark City is worth mentioning another brilliant film.

[@jmspag]

Why is Phenomena (1985) always skipped in her career retrospectives?!

[@ExitiumD]

Do u recommend that film? I do have it but not seen yet :/

[@jmspag]

@@ExitiumD it’s a must watch for fans of hers, it’s her first leading role, and was beautifully filmed by the prolific Italian director Dario Argento.

[@Kilian600]

@@ExitiumD and it's one of the best Italian horror movies

[@senoritacarissa8864]

One of my favorite actresses! I love how she speaks/enunciates! She also has a wonderful vocabulary that doesn’t seem forced like many other stars try to do.

[@mickbanner]

People write it off as a naff film, but loved her performance in He's Just Not That Into You.

[@dynarec]

I loved her in 'The Hot Spot' too, severely underrated movie.

[@Kilian600]

...hmmmm, I guess, there are two reasons for that...

[@arontamas5639]

Requiem and House of sand and fog are the most brutal dramas I've ever seen and she was so wonderful in both of those movies and I'm glad she won every major award for Beautiful mind, that one is great too but I'm sad she basically only got the recognition for that one movie only...... Not even a Golden Globe before or after Beautiful mind that is so strange to me.... Hope it will change.... Talent must be appreciated more and more!

[@raniii652]

This is so true! Her performances in RFAD, House of sand and fog, Blood Diamond, Shelter were all award worthy movies. Can’t believe how her performances are always overlooked😭

[@Milos-sj6ir]

Great career! Top Gun Maverick, Requiem for a Dream, Little Children, A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond... A career any actress can dream of.

[@zairehaylock4974]

I ❤ Jennifer Connelly.

[@warlockofwordschannel7901]

She's also wonderful in Argento's Phenomena, was that before or after Labyrinth?

[@warlockofwordschannel7901]

I haven't watched the whole video yet.

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

Before.

[@Toni-cm2dv]

It was before. Phenomena was filmed in 1985 and Labyrinth in 1986.

[@EditsByEmm]

A year before!

[@warlockofwordschannel7901]

@@Toni-cm2dv my thanks to you all for the info!

[@ajd3391]

Initially my wife and I were confused she was casted as Daniela in Dark Matter since the character is supposed to be Latin, but Jennifer has crushed the role like a boss. Real standout performance.

[@Tom-qp6oh]

Where's Rocketeer and Blood Diamond!?!?

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

Charmed, doubly charmed.

[@LPVPisFr33]

Fell in love with her in Labyrinth with the ball gown. I was 15 back then.

[@inoba5891]

Full of talent and beauty... So classic and timeless

[@scottishfilmhistorian]

No love for Hulk? Totally underrated film IMO

[@nathanchaffin6380]

She is the one bright light in "dark city". That cant be understated.

[@EditsByEmm]

I love her in Phenomena!

[@williamblakehall5566]

A movie star can singlehandedly take an okay or struggling movie and make it special. I think of Career Opportunities, Mulholland Falls, and Hulk as Jennifer Connelly movies. She is a movie star.

[@Lighthammer66]

The first movie I saw her in was Career Opportunities (1991). I was like "G*d D*mn!!!" 😍😍

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I don't think i saw any of her earliest stuff. I became aware of her with *Career Opportunities.* That certainly made a lasting impression.

[@ormhaxan]

Phenomena and The Hot Spot are fantastic.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

@@ormhaxan I do remember The Hot Spot. Haven't seen it since that opening year, though.

[@cartomancycarmen]

Saw the Labyrinth for the first time ever as an adult during quarantine and it was so adorable!!!

[@furyspec]

hands down my childhood crush. Followed her since Once Upon a Time in America. Loved seeing Tom in her in Maverick together. Felt so nostalgic.

[@raiderjacksally]

One of the best thing growing up in the 80s is able to watch Jenifer Connelly movies.

[@mylifefornick]

What a wonderful actor and person! Labyrinth is one of my all time favorites.

[@doggo2993]

Jennifer Connelly is the embodiment of natural beauty and professionalism. Truly a woman with class.

[@turbointerceptor86]

Timeless beauty. In her prime she was a most beautiful woman I've ever seen

[@lordalpha6196]

Over 50 and still as lovely as ever.

[@randomname3715]

She didn't talk about her best movie Career Opportunities, that was the film that most of us were introduced to her. She was great in that movie.

[@randyhughes8450]

The reason why she wasn't talking about the movie Career Opportunities is because she was sexually objectified not only the poster but also the scene where she's whiling a mechanical horse Google search up and it will tell you. That plus the reason why she never mentioned The Rocketeer was because she was in a relationship or Bill Campbell or the movie The Hot Spot the actor Dennis Hopper directed with Don Johnson because of the nudity.

[@danshepard5083]

@@randyhughes8450 I don't know what her feelings are about that movie, but I think she didn't talk about it because they had limited time, and it wasn't a great movie. She has 55+ credits on IMDB, they had to skip most of them. She didn't talk about Pollock, Little Children, Blood Diamond, He's Just Not That Into You, Mulholland Falls, or Only the Brave either.

[@StreetHierarchy]

​@@randyhughes8450 um...have you seen Requiem for a Dream? I'd be more inclined to believe that it's because of that film's extensive use of the Target logo.

[@ericsloss3963]

@@randyhughes8450 I thank Dennis Hopper every day for The Hot Spot. I used to love Jennifer in the late 80s/early 90s. Those were the days.

[@JR-ju3kj]

@@randyhughes8450 Whenever I hear people say that she was sexually objectified for the movie Career Opportunities, to that I always, say give me a break. As an adult( albeit a young adult), she understood what the role was when she agreed to take the part and when she read the script. She didn't have to take the part but she still did( just like she still took the part in The Hot Spot). Why was that? She understood that her looks were factoring into her success as an actor and I don't think that there's anything wrong with using what you've got. I compare it to being like how Chris Hemsworth said once in an interview that he understands that his looks have played a role in his career with a success as an actor but that he hopes that they're not the only reason and you can say the same thing about Brad Pitt, too. He knew that his looks played a part in his success as an actor but he's also a great actor and he went out of his way to prove himself, just as Jennifer Connelly did. There has to be some personal responsibility and accountability. The blame can't just go to the filmmakers, she also made the decision to act in the film.

[@selinakyle9606]

this is the most confident and relaxed ive seen her

[@NoopDoggz]

Finally JC! Thank you Vanity Fair... JC is my guiding light.

[@Astheywere]

I'm so happy she talked about once upon a time in America. The director's cut is my favorite film of all time. It is extraordinary if you have not seen it, you definitely should ❤

[@denisaboomtown4199]

My ultimate star crush, an absolute talent and gorgeous in anything and everything

[@stephen-wahl]

I pretty much grew up with her and still recall seeing the poster for Career Opportunities in a Greenwich Village Cinema where I guess I was seeing something more serious and thought "isn't she that model turned actress or whatever doing more fluff..." How wrong I was. Requiem for a Dream was transformative and over the years she's become one of my favorite actresses. Seeing her stunning green eyes and contrasting black hair I thought she must be this generation's Elizabeth Taylor: but without the drama or weight gain. A stunning beauty ageing with such grace.

[@jb_93638]

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned dark water.

[@jenniferpruess]

Love her! What a great career! Wish The Rocketeer had been discussed - it is one of my top comfort films. 😊

[@joaoluizfonseca6914]

Requiem should’ve earned her a nomination even before Beautiful Mind

[@deleted01]

wass to wass?

[@Mr.Magic4ever]

I love Jennifer. She is such an incredible actor. ❤

[@yosshy4774]

"Dark Water" is one of her films I loved the most...

[@hdoglesby]

While the world has moved and time gone forward her eyebrows have always been perfect and on point 👌❤️

[@rmannayr2129]

JENNIFER LOOKS GREAT!

[@WaiSoeThein]

Do a part 2 with the remaining movies, PLEASE!

[@UKGeezer]

She's about the same age as me and I think I fell in love with her when first I saw her in Labyrinth in the 80s. Also love her as an actress, Jennifer is so beutiful and talented.

[@scottishzombie]

Had a crush on her in Labyrinth, was blown away by her performance in Requiem, and really loved her vulnerability in A Beautiful Mind.

[@CiofinhoHD]

My favorite actress of all time, she has such diverse roles and she plays them all brilliantly

[@BROWNTHEWORLDISYOURS]

🙌🏾 she’s fantastic

[@Ladolcevitaprincess]

Best actress and the most beautiful woman❤️ Jennifer connelly

[@jgg02]

I know her talent goes way beyond her looks, but the way she has aged so well makes her unique. So beautiful

[@cconnon1912]

Always loved her. She is fantastic actress and timeless beauty.

[@zechariahzenith8762]

Jennifer Connelly is a national treasure. Well talented whether TV or Movie, she excels.

[@azulsimmons1040]

I started being a fan after watching Career Opportunities. She was so beautiful I wanted to watch her act and move. Then became a fan because she worked at it until she became an excellent actress able to really create interesting characters in a variety of interesting and eclectic movies. Been great to watch her develop over the years.

[@johnathanlong9425]

She still completely gorgeous, and so smart. Truly remarkable

[@sdb6757]

Best eyebrows in show business.

[@PristineTX]

Helena Bonham Carter would like a word…

[@ljg6979]

Very disappointed that they didnt cover The Rocketeer, Career Opportunities, Blood Diamond. She's had some great roles.

[@AtomicMushroomz]

blood diamond is the only one worth talking about of the 3 you mentioned

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

Charmed, doubly charmed.

[@keenenbenton9843]

Yea while I do absolutely love career opportunities it’s not necessarily a movie most people and Jennifer herself probably care to talk about

[@PygarBarbarella]

​@@AtomicMushroomzWrong! both of them were way better than Blood Diamond.

[@kompanjonac]

@@PygarBarbarella Lol carrer oportunities sure isnt better movie than blood diamond

[@myfreakyvalentine]

I knew we were just going to ignore "The Hot Spot" 🤣

[@gaddaitherage8204]

I had the biggest crush on her growing up. So happy to see her career evolve and still running strong.

[@hooksethijinx4769]

Career Opportunities was the movie that sold me. That white tank top

[@YaSmithe]

i love that she is not chalked full of filler and botox etc. she is aging like a fine wine. so beautiful

[@50sKid]

I would have liked to hear about Blood Diamond

[@RalfBaier]

The first movie with her I have watched was "The Rocketeer (1991)". Since then it is one of my fav. movies.

[@commendatori1]

Absolutely stunning 🥰 and such a great talent

[@Tien1million]

A little sad she didn't talk about my favorite movie, Dark City, nor The Rocketeer, the movie I feel in love with her as a teenager.

[@MizzahTee]

I've been in love with her since Labyrinth 😍

[@zombieloveserte]

Can we get a long version where you go over Dark City and Rocketeer? I need more details about Labyrinth. You are such a sublimely compelling actress.

[@shawnas.4459]

I love that she never gave in to plastic surgery. She is aging beautifully.

[@MoriVal]

I'm sad that she didn't talk about Phenomena

[@seadawg93]

I love the Labyrinth so much! ❤

[@artemuliashkevych7892]

Waking the Dead deserves to be here too. Amazing movie. And truly beautiful. One of my favorites