Introduction
Rooney Mara is an American actress known for her intense performances, emotional depth, and commitment to challenging, character-driven roles in independent and mainstream films. She is best recognized for her critically acclaimed portrayals in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Carol, and Lion, as well as her work alongside her partner Joaquin Phoenix.
Career
Early Debut: Born Patricia Rooney Mara on April 17, 1985, in Bedford, New York, she began acting in the mid-2000s with small roles in films like Urban Legends: Bloody Mary and TV appearances.
Breakthrough Role: Gained major attention with supporting roles in The Social Network (2010) and starring as Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011).
Critical Acclaim: Earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Delivered a powerful performance as Therese Belivet in Carol (2015), earning a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.
Notable Films: Appeared in Her (2013), Side Effects (2013), Lion (2016), Mary Magdalene (2018), Nightmare Alley (2021), and Women Talking (2022).
Recent Work: Continued selecting selective, high-quality projects while balancing acting with philanthropy and family life. She has upcoming films in post-production as of 2026.
Family Life
Rooney Mara comes from the prominent Mara and Rooney families, owners of the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers NFL teams. She is the younger sister of actress Kate Mara. Rooney has been in a relationship with actor Joaquin Phoenix since 2016. The couple married secretly in 2022 and has two children — a son named River (born 2020) and a second child (born 2024). She is a passionate animal rights activist and philanthropist.
Rooney Mara Net Worth
As of 2026, Rooney Mara’s net worth is estimated to be around $18 - 22 million. She has earned her wealth primarily through her acting career in films, along with endorsements and other ventures.
Notable Achievements
- Two Academy Award nominations (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol).
- Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for Carol (2015).
- Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
- Breakthrough performances that established her as one of Hollywood’s most respected dramatic actresses.
- Strong reputation for choosing bold, unconventional roles and her work in independent cinema.