It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since a 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence famously tripped in her Dior gown while accepting her Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook. Backstage, when asked if she worried about peaking too early—having already won an Oscar and earned two nominations—she laughed and joked, “Well, now I am!”
Luckily, Lawrence never slowed down. After her meteoric rise, she settled into a steady career rhythm. Now, at 35, she might be gearing up for another Oscar campaign with Die My Love, Lynne Ramsay’s psychological thriller where she plays a new mother struggling with postpartum psychosis. The film wowed critics at Cannes and hits theaters this November—fingers crossed for awards season.
In honor of her birthday, let’s revisit her most unforgettable roles.
### Winter’s Bone (2010)
At just 19, Lawrence broke out as Ree Dolly, a tough Ozarks teen searching for her missing father in Debra Granik’s gritty drama. Her raw, compelling performance earned her first Oscar nomination and Hollywood’s attention.
### The Hunger Games (2012)
As Katniss Everdeen, the bow-wielding warrior fighting in a dystopian death match, Lawrence cemented her status as a fierce action hero. She reprised the role in Catching Fire and Mockingjay, proving she could carry a blockbuster franchise.
### Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Her Oscar-winning turn as Tiffany Maxwell—a sharp-talking, troubled widow who shakes up Bradley Cooper’s life—showcased her electric charisma. The role made her the second-youngest Best Actress winner in history.
### American Hustle (2013)
With a wild blonde bouffant and gold hoops, Lawrence stole scenes as Rosalyn Rosenfeld, the volatile wife of Christian Bale’s con artist. Hilarious and terrifying, she earned her third Oscar nod and second Golden Globe.
### Joy (2015)
Reuniting with David O. Russell and Bradley Cooper, Lawrence played Joy Mangano, the self-made millionaire behind the Miracle Mop. Magnetic as ever, she scored another Golden Globe and Oscar nomination.
### Don’t Look Up (2021)
In Adam McKay’s dark comedy, Lawrence played Kate Dibiasky, a deadpan astronomer warning the world about an incoming comet. The role reminded audiences of her sharp comedic chops—something we don’t see enough of.
### Causeway (2022)
In this quiet drama, Lawrence delivered a restrained performance as a soldier recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Alongside Brian Tyree Henry, she proved (again) that she’s one of her generation’s finest actors.
Here’s to many more iconic roles ahead!He carries his own tragedy with quiet intensity. Thoughtful and restrained, layered and deeply moving, Lawrence’s performance echoes her work in Winter’s Bone, proving once again that she is truly one of a kind.