Jeremy Renner: Biography, Success Story, Facts

Jeremy Renner’s biography is a success story highlighting his rise from modest beginnings to becoming a prominent actor in Hollywood. His life story began with independent films, where he built his reputation through hard work and perseverance. Renner’s performances in movies like The Hurt Locker and The Town earned him Academy Award nominations, and his transition to action-packed franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe cemented his place among Hollywood’s most recognized actors.

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Biography Summary

Jeremy Lee Renner, born January 7, 1971, is a well-known American actor recognized for his wide range of roles and dynamic performances. He began his acting career with independent films like Dahmer (2002) and Neo Ned (2005) before moving on to supporting roles in larger projects such as S.W.A.T. (2003) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). Renner received critical acclaim and two Academy Award nominations: Best Actor for his role as a soldier in The Hurt Locker (2009) and Best Supporting Actor for playing a fiery bank robber in The Town (2010).

Renner is also widely recognized for his portrayal of Clint Barton, or Hawkeye, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), featuring in The Avengers (2012) and the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021). In addition to his work in the MCU, Renner has appeared in action films like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), The Bourne Legacy (2012), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). His dramatic work includes films such as American Hustle (2013), Arrival (2016), and Wind River (2017). Since 2021, Renner has taken on the lead role in the crime thriller series Mayor of Kingstown, available on Paramount+.

Early Life

Born in Modesto, California, Jeremy Renner is the son of Valerie Cearley, and Lee Renner, who managed a Modesto bowling alley called McHenry Bowl during the 1980s. His parents married as teenagers and divorced when he was ten. Renner is the eldest of seven siblings, the youngest born in 2011. He has Irish and German ancestry.¹

He graduated from Fred C. Beyer High School in Modesto in 1989. Initially attending Modesto Junior College to study computer science and criminology, Renner discovered his passion for acting after taking a drama class as an elective.

Career

1995–2001: Early Work

Jeremy Renner made his film debut in 1995, portraying an underachieving student in the comedy National Lampoon’s Senior Trip. While the movie didn’t fare well with critics, Renner went on to land guest roles in television series such as Deadly Games and Strange Luck, and appeared in the TV film A Friend’s Betrayal. From 1999 to 2001, he played in shows like Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane, The Net, The Time of Your Life, and Angel. In 2001, he briefly appeared in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. During this time, Renner worked as a makeup artist to make ends meet.

2002–2008: Rising Success

In 2002, Renner starred as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer, a role he found challenging due to its dark nature. His performance earned critical acclaim and a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Male. He appeared in Pink’s 2003 music video for “Trouble” as a bad boy sheriff. Renner co-starred in S.W.A.T. (2003) alongside Colin Farrell and in The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004).

In 2005, Jeremy Renner starred alongside Julia Stiles and Forest Whitaker in A Little Trip to Heaven and also appeared in North Country and 12 and Holding. That same year, he took on the role of a neo-Nazi skinhead in Neo Ned alongside Gabrielle Union. This performance earned him several awards at film festivals, including the Palm Beach International Film Festival Award for Best Actor. Renner also had an uncredited part in Lords of Dogtown (2005) and starred with Ginnifer Goodwin in Love Comes to the Executioner (2006).

In 2007, Renner played Wood Hite in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and took on the role of Sergeant Doyle in 28 Weeks Later. He also appeared with Minnie Driver in Take and guest-starred as a reckless rock musician in an episode of House.

2009–2013: Breakthrough Roles

After starring in the comedy-drama Ingenious and the television series The Unusuals, Renner portrayed U.S. Army bomb disposal expert Sergeant First Class William James in The Hurt Locker (2009), directed by Kathryn Bigelow. His performance earned him several awards, including his first Academy Award for Best Actor and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

In 2010, Renner’s role in Ben Affleck’s The Town, alongside Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, and others, received widespread praise and earned him a second Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actor. He also received his first Golden Globe and a second Screen Actors Guild nomination. Recognized as a rising star, Renner was poised to join Hollywood’s A-list.²

I’m very lucky. I could have pretty easily been driving a forklift.
Jeremy Renner

In 2011, he starred in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol as William Brandt. Renner made an uncredited cameo as Hawkeye in Thor to introduce his character ahead of The Avengers (2012), where he starred alongside Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Scarlett Johansson. In The Bourne Legacy (2012), he played Aaron Cross, taking over from Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne in the franchise. Renner expressed interest in collaborating with Damon in future films.

Renner starred in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) with Gemma Arterton, portraying the titular characters years after encountering the witch. He also featured in the ensemble cast of David O. Russell’s American Hustle (2013), based on the FBI ABSCAM operation, which included Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence. The film received critical acclaim and earned the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

2014–Present: Continued Success

In 2014, Renner starred as journalist Gary Webb in Kill the Messenger, based on Webb’s book Dark Alliance, and was also a co-producer. He was an executive producer for The Throwaways (2014).

In 2015, he reprised his role as Hawkeye in Avengers: Age of Ultron and returned in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. In 2016, Renner played Hawkeye in Captain America: Civil War, sharing the screen with actors like Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, and Chadwick Boseman. He starred alongside Amy Adams in the sci-fi film Arrival and produced The Founder (2016), starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc.

Renner was an executive producer on History’s drama Knightfall (2016). In 2017, he fractured his right elbow and left wrist while filming Tag (2018). He also appeared in Wind River with his MCU co-star Elizabeth Olsen.

Although he filmed scenes as Hawkeye for Avengers: Infinity War (2018), his character did not appear until Avengers: Endgame (2019), where he had a prominent role. Due to scheduling conflicts, he could not reprise his role in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). In 2021, Renner starred in the Disney+ series Hawkeye and the Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown, which was renewed for a second season in 2023.

Mobile App

In March 2017, Renner launched a mobile app named Jeremy Renner Official for iOS and Android platforms. Developed by Escapex, the app provided fans with exclusive content and a unique social media experience. In 2019, Fast Company highlighted the app as “a surprising new kind of social media.”

The community shared memes and selfies and hosted a “Happy Rennsday” event every Wednesday.³ However, issues arose concerning censorship, bullying, and allegations of contest manipulation. In September 2019, it was discovered that replies within the app appeared as if they were sent directly by Renner in push notifications. This feature was exploited, leading to confusion and misuse. Consequently, Renner requested the app be shut down to prevent further problems.

Music Career

Beyond acting, Renner is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer. Early in his career, he performed with the band Sons of Ben. He contributed songs to several film soundtracks, including “I Drink Alone” for North Country, “American Pie” for Love Comes to the Executioner, and “Good Ole Rebel” for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. He appeared in music videos for “Trouble” by Pink and “Scenes on Sunset” by Brother Sal. In 2018, he was featured in Sam Feldt’s single “Heaven (Don’t Have a Name).”⁴

In March 2020, Renner put out his debut extended play, The Medicine. A new album titled Wait was released on January 1, 2024, marking the one-year anniversary of his accident.

Personal Life

Renner tied the knot with Canadian model Sonni Pacheco on January 13, 2014, and they welcomed a daughter. However, their marriage hit a rough patch, and on December 30, 2014, Pacheco initiated divorce proceedings, citing irreconcilable differences.⁵ They share custody of their daughter, who made a cameo appearance in American Hustle.

Since 2014, Renner has lived in Washoe County, Nevada, near the Mount Rose ski resort. He runs a house-renovating business with his best friend and fellow actor Kristoffer Winters. Renner has studied Arnis and Muay Thai martial arts to prepare for his roles in the Mission: Impossible and Avengers franchises.

I like showing up on sets. I feel blessed to be able to play make-believe for a living. It’s my job.
Jeremy Renner

A fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Renner narrated the NFL Network documentary series The Timeline episode “A Tale of Two Cities,” chronicling the team’s rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys. He also narrated the introductory video for the grand opening of Levi’s Stadium.

On January 1, 2023, Renner was hospitalized after suffering blunt chest trauma and 38 broken bones while saving his nephew from being run over by his snowplow.⁶ He was airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery, spending time in intensive care. By January 17, he was released to continue his recovery at home. Approximately three months after the accident, Renner began walking with a cane. Doctors suggested his health and fitness likely aided his survival.

Awards

Industry Awards:

2009: National Board of Review, The Hurt Locker, Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
2010: National Board of Review, The Town, Best Acting by an Ensemble
2014: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, American Hustle, Best Acting Ensemble
2014: Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Hustle, Outstanding Cast
2009: Satellite Awards, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
2010: Palm Springs International Film Festival, The Hurt Locker, Breakthrough Performance Award
2014: Palm Springs International Film Festival, American Hustle, Ensemble Cast Award

Critics Awards:

2009: Women Film Journalists, The Hurt Locker, Best Acting Ensemble
2013: Women Film Journalists, American Hustle, Best Acting Ensemble
2009: Boston Film Critics, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor
2009: Chicago Film Critics, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor
2013: Detroit Film Critics, American Hustle, Best Ensemble
2009: Gotham Awards, The Hurt Locker, Best Ensemble Cast
2009: Las Vegas Film Critics, The Hurt Locker, Sierra Award for Best Actor
2010: National Society of Critics, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor
2010: Online Film Critics, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor
2009: Washington Film Critics, The Hurt Locker, Best Acting Ensemble
2010: Washington Film Critics, The Town, Best Acting Ensemble
2013: Phoenix Film Critics, American Hustle, Best Acting Ensemble
2013: San Diego Film Critics, American Hustle, Best Ensemble
2013: Southeastern Film Critics, American Hustle, Best Ensemble

International Awards:

2014: Huading Awards, American Hustle, Best Global Supporting Actor
2017: Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Wind River, President’s Award
2014: Newport Beach Film Festival, The Immigrant, Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking-Ensemble Cast
2016: Taormina Film Festival, Collective Body of Work, Taormina Promesse Award

Other Awards:

2001: New York Film Festival, Fish in a Barrel, Best Supporting Actor
2006: Palm Beach International Film Festival, Neo Ned, Best Actor
2008: Phoenix Film Festival, Take, Best Acting Ensemble
2008: Village Voice Poll, The Hurt Locker, Best Actor
2013: MTV Movie Awards, The Avengers, Best Fight
2023: Uncle Magazine’s Uncle Awards, Uncle of the Year

Final Reflections

Jeremy Renner’s biography is a success story that showcases his journey from humble beginnings to collaborating with some of Hollywood’s top names, such as Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Robert Downey Jr. His life story reflects his dedication and versatility across different genres, which have left a lasting impression on the film industry. Renner’s career continues to inspire fans and aspiring actors around the world.

Reference List for Jeremy Renner’s Biography

Galloway, Stephen. “Jeremy Renner’s Shot at Playing Hero.” The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2012. ↩︎
Blank, Emily, and Lauren Schutte. “Hollywood’s A-List Redefined.” The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Nov. 2010, slide 6 of 10 in slideshow. ↩︎
Knibbs, Kate. “Jeremy Renner’s App Is Full of Drama.” The Ringer, 17 Oct. 2017. ↩︎
Bein, Kat. “Sam Feldt Taps Actor Jeremy Renner for Dramatic ‘Heaven Don’t Have a Name’: Exclusive.” Billboard, 4 Oct. 2018. ↩︎
Ehrich Dowd, Kathy. “Jeremy Renner’s Wife Sonni Pacheco Files for Divorce.” People, 30 Dec. 2014. ↩︎
Melas, Chloe, and Nouran Salahieh. “Jeremy Renner Shares First Photo Since Snow Plowing Accident.” CNN, 3 Jan. 2023, Retrieved 3 Dec. 2023. ↩︎