A-list movie star Bening got her start in regional theater before moving to New York, where she earned a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in Coastal Disturbances (1986). She then made a name for herself in film with supporting roles, such as her deliciously wicked turns in Valmont and The Grifters, the latter of which earned her an Academy Award nomination. In 1991, she signed on to the project that would change her career and her life. Although Bugsy wasn't a commercial success, it offered Bening her first genuine leading role, as a gangster's moll. It also introduced her to notorious ladies' man Warren Beatty, who ended up abandoning his wild ways to wed and raise a family with Bening. Now a devoted mother of four, the actress-mom continues to be a hit with both critics and fans, earning Oscar nominations for her turns in the popular American Beauty (1999) and Being Julia (2004). In 2010, she again showcased her broad appeal with a star turn in The Kids Are All Right, which was a hit at both Sundance and the box office.