Oona Laurence is a remarkably accomplished American actress who began her career on some of theatre’s most prestigious stages and has since built an impressive film and television résumé alongside Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors.
Born on August 1, 2002, in New York City, she is best known for originating the role of Matilda Wormwood in the Broadway production of Matilda the Musical (2013) receiving a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre and for her emotionally resonant portrayal of Leila Hope, the daughter of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, in Antoine Fuqua’s boxing drama Southpaw (2015).
She has since appeared in Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled, Pete’s Dragon, Bad Moms, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting, and Law & Order: SVU building one of the most impressive young filmographies of her generation.
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Oona Laurence: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Oona Laurence |
| Born: | August 1, 2002 |
| Age: | 23 years old |
| Birthplace: | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Actress, Voice Artist |
| Height: | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Parents: | Lauren Gladding (mother, former actress); Robert Laurence (father, musician) |
| Siblings: | Aimée Laurence (younger sister, actress); Jeté Laurence (younger sister, actress — known for Pet Sematary 2019) |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
Early Life
Oona Laurence was born on August 1, 2002, in New York City into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. Her mother, Lauren Gladding, is a former actress, and her father, Robert Laurence, is a musician who helped his children prepare for roles and auditions.
She has two younger sisters Aimée Laurence and Jeté Laurence both of whom are also actresses. Jeté became particularly well known for her role in the 2019 horror remake Pet Sematary. The Laurence sisters are celebrated as a remarkable trio of emerging talents, all raised within the same artistically nurturing household.
Oona began exploring performance at age five, playing the lead role in her father’s experimental short film Days Dance. By age eight she had secured her first professional acting role. She performed in regional theatre productions including playing Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Children’s Acting Academy and in Seussical the Musical before auditioning for Broadway.
She is an avid reader whose three favorite books are Matilda, The Hunger Games, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre. She takes lessons in modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, Samba, ballet, and singing.
Education
Oona Laurence grew up in New York City and attended school while managing a professional acting career from a very young age.
She later studied at NYU, though her specific academic program has not been publicly confirmed. Her education in the arts has been primarily experiential shaped by Broadway rehearsal rooms, professional film sets, and the creative household in which she was raised.
Career
Broadway Debut: Matilda the Musical (2013)
In 2012, Laurence auditioned for the new musical Matilda on Broadway. Laurence landed the role of Matilda, performing in the show from March 4 to December 15, 2013, alongside Bailey Ryon, Milly Shapiro, and Sophia Gennusa.
The four girls who shared the title role received a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre award in 2013 a prestigious recognition of their extraordinary collective performance.
The role required exceptional singing, acting, and physical performance and Oona delivered all three with a maturity and depth that made critics take notice of one of theatre’s most exciting young voices.
Film Breakthrough: Southpaw (2015)
After Matilda, Oona transitioned to film, accumulating credits in independent productions before her major breakthrough.
In 2015, Laurence co-starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams in Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw, portraying Leila Hope the young daughter torn apart by the collapse of her family after her mother’s murder. Jake Gyllenhaal famously said in interviews that meeting Oona made him want to be a father a testament to the quality and authenticity of her performance.
The film was critically acclaimed, and Oona’s work in it established her as a genuinely compelling screen actress capable of holding her own opposite major Hollywood stars.
Major Film Credits (2016–2020)
In 2016, she co-starred as Natalie in the film Pete’s Dragon Disney’s reimagining of the 1977 classic and portrayed Jane Mitchell, the daughter of Mila Kunis’ character Amy Mitchell, in Bad Moms. Both films were commercial successes.
In 2017, Laurence co-starred opposite Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning in Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled the Cannes-competing Civil War psychological thriller that earned Sofia Coppola the Best Director prize at Cannes.
Appearing in a Sofia Coppola film alongside that caliber of ensemble was a remarkable credential for a 14-year-old performer.
She appeared in A Bad Moms Christmas (2017), reprising her role as Jane Mitchell alongside a returning Mila Kunis, and starred as the lead in the drama Lamb (2016).
In 2020, she starred in the Netflix American family dark fantasy film A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting alongside Tom Felton, Indya Moore, and Tamara Smart.
Television and Voice Work
She has appeared on television in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Orange Is the New Black. She is the voice of Hedgehog and additional characters in the Cartoon Network series Summer Camp Island and also performs the theme song. She has also appeared in Louie (FX) and Celebrity Ghost Stories.
Awards & Nominations
- Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre (2013) shared with the other three Matilda performers: Bailey Ryon, Milly Shapiro, and Sophia Gennusa
Personal Life
Oona Laurence lives in New York City. She keeps her romantic life private. She is the eldest of the three Laurence sisters, all of whom are pursuing acting careers.
Her close relationship with her family particularly her two younger sisters is a consistent feature of her public persona. She enjoys reading, dance training across multiple disciplines, and singing.
Net Worth
Oona Laurence’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, reflecting her extensive stage, film, and television credits across more than a decade of professional work from Broadway to Disney to Netflix to Sofia Coppola films.
Social Media
- Twitter: Oona Laurence (@Oona_Laurence)
- Instagram: Oona Laurence (@oonalaurence)
Filmography
| Matilda the Musical (Broadway) | 2013 | Stage Matilda Wormwood (Tony Honors) |
| A Little Game | 2014 | Film debut |
| I Smile Back | 2015 | Film (Sarah Silverman) |
| Southpaw | 2015 | Film Leila Hope (with Jake Gyllenhaal) |
| Lamb | 2016 | Film lead role |
| Pete’s Dragon | 2016 | Disney Film Natalie |
| Bad Moms | 2016 | Film Jane Mitchell (with Mila Kunis) |
| The Beguiled | 2017 | Sofia Coppola Film (Cannes) |
| A Bad Moms Christmas | 2017 | Film Jane Mitchell |
| A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting | 2020 | Netflix Film lead role |
| Summer Camp Island | Ongoing | Cartoon Network voice of Hedgehog |
FAQs
Who is Oona Laurence?
Oona Laurence is an American actress born August 1, 2002, in New York City. She is known for originating Matilda Wormwood on Broadway, playing Leila Hope in Southpaw with Jake Gyllenhaal, and appearing in Pete’s Dragon, Bad Moms, and The Beguiled.
Did Oona Laurence win a Tony Award?
She received a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 2013, shared with the other three performers who played Matilda in the Broadway production.
Who are Oona Laurence’s sisters?
Her younger sisters are Aimée Laurence and Jeté Laurence both also actresses. Jeté is known for her role in Pet Sematary (2019).
What is Oona Laurence’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, accumulated through a decade of stage, film, and television work.
Conclusion
Oona Laurence’s career is extraordinary by any measure a child who originated one of Broadway’s most demanding lead roles at age 10, received a Tony Honors at 11, and went on to appear in films directed by Antoine Fuqua and Sofia Coppola before she was 15.
Her work in Southpaw which made Jake Gyllenhaal want to become a father is perhaps the highest compliment any child performer has ever received from a co-star.
With sisters also building careers in the industry, the Laurence family is shaping up to be one of the most remarkable acting dynasties of their generation. And at 22, Oona’s finest roles are undoubtedly still ahead of her.
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