From noble lineage to celebrity BFFs, here are all the facts to know about the Hollywood actress.&nbsp;

Born in Sacramento, California, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessicachastain/">Jessica Chastain</a> rose to Hollywood prominence with high-profile roles and top-notch acting skills. After studying in New York City at the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/fendi-launches-vanguard-award-the-juilliard-school-young-performers">Juilliard School</a>, Chastain began her acting career with stints on Law &amp; Order: Trial by Jury and The Cherry Orchard. The actress's big-screen break came in the 2008 film, Jolene, where Chastain portrayed a 15-year-old orphan breaking free from foster care. Since her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/cannes-film-festival-amfar-highlights-red-carpet-movies">film</a> debut, Chastain has cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with within the entertainment industry.
Whether it be Zero Dark Thirty or The Help, the star has proved an immense ability to take on a variety of complex characters. Not only dominating the screens, but Chastain has also won a variety of accolades and awards at the industry's biggest events. In 2012, the actress won a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/golden-globes-cancelled-2022-hfpa-controversy">Golden Globe Award</a> for Zero Dark Thirty and has been nominated for various other film appearances. Learn more about the actress below with 10 things you didn't know about her.

Both starring in the blockbuster film The Help, Chastain and Octavia Spencer became fast friends off the screen. In 2018, Spencer revealed that Chastain helped her receive equal pay after she was offered five times less than her white counterparts for a comedy film.

She is close friends with Octavia Spencer.

When Chastain first attended Juilliard and began acting, she experienced bouts of anxiety and depression. Since then, the actress has been involved with several non-profits, most notably To Write Love on Her Arms. Coupled with her own experience, Chastain began to be involved in mental health advocacy after her sister's suicide and currently works to advance causes related to the field.

She is vocal about mental health issues.

While in high school, Chastain joined the drama club and delved into a bevy of iconic plays and playwrights. A self-proclaimed "Shakespeare Geek," the actress fell in love with the writer's work after visiting a Shakespeare Festival with her class.

She loves Shakespeare.

In 2007, the actress converted to veganism after being a pescetarian for several years prior. Chastain credits the lifestyle for an increased feeling of energy and only buys cruelty-free beauty and makeup products.

She is vegan.

In 2016, the actress founded her TV production company, Freckle Films. The company is headed by a team of all-female executives and released the film Ava in 2020. The company is currently producing Chastain's upcoming movie The 355.

She founded a TV production company.

Isabelle Huppert, the French actress known for her roles in The Piano Teacher and Violette Nozi&egrave;re, has been a major source of inspiration for Chastain. Inspired by Huppert's portrayal of cold and disdainful characters, Chastain continues to look to the iconic actress for film tips and tricks.

She is inspired by Isabelle Huppert.

Chastain's husband, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, works in fashion and is directly related to Italian nobility. The pair married in 2017 and had their first daughter, Giulietta, in 2018 and a second child in 2020.

Her husband is a descendant of nobility.

Chastain has a three-legged dog named Chaplin who she rescued and also has two other dogs. The dog is an advocate for animal adoption, a mindset which coincides with her veganism.

She loves animals.

Always going above and beyond for acting roles, Chastain learned German and the fighting style of Krav Maga for her character in The Debt. The actress portrayed an Israeli agent in the film and effortlessly adapted to the physical rigor of the role.

She learned Krav Maga for a role.

Along with mental health advocacy, Chastain often speaks out against the discrimination and inequalities faced by women in Hollywood. Over the years, the actress has advocated for more female film critics and female representation on film crews and sets. In 2018, Chastain and over 300 women in Hollywood founded the Time's Up initiative which aims to shield women against workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.&nbsp;

10 Facts to Know About Jessica Chastain

Tags

Related Articles

Film & TV

Jessica Chastain Helped Octavia Spencer Get Equal Pay

Film & TV

Best Red Carpet Looks from the 2021 Cannes Film Festival

Beauty

Shades of Red are This Season's Hottest Hair Trend

Recommended posts for you

Beauty

Paris Hilton Knows She's An Icon—And She Wants You to Know It, Too

Fashion

Kim Kardashian Exits the Ritz Paris in a Risqué Look: Feathered Robe and Bra

Fashion

Eres Brings Parisian Allure to Your Workouts—Discover The New Activewear Line

Fashion

The Best Red Carpet Looks at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival

Pop culture

Inside the Hottest Parties Taking Over New York City This Spring

Politics & Culture

Women’s Gym Clothes Are Sparking Debate on TikTok. Here's What It's Really About

Pop culture

The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Premiere in NYC Was a Celebrity Fest

Fashion

L'HISTOIRE: Uma Thurman's Ethereal Chanel Set at the 2003 SAG Awards