Anna Kendrick was born in Portland, Maine, to Janice Cooke, an accountant, and William Kendrick, a teacher. Her family has a rich cultural heritage, with her parents being of English, Irish, and Scottish descent. She has an older brother, Michael Cooke Kendrick, who has also pursued a career in acting.
Anna's early years were marked by her impressive performances on stage. She was nominated for a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a Fany Award for her role as "Dinah" in the Broadway production of "High Society". Her outstanding performance earned her the Drama League and Theatre World Award.
Anna's talent was further showcased in various productions. She was a lead performer with the Cabaret's Kit Kat Club at "Carnegie Hall Live" in "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies" (1999),a television special. She had the privilege of working with renowned director Scott Ellis and choreographer Susan Stroman at the New York City Opera House, where she played the role of "Fredrika" in "A Little Night Music". The production featured an all-star cast, including Jeremy Irons.
Anna was also involved in the development of several Broadway productions, including "Jane Eyre" and "The Little Princess". She starred in the feature film "Camp" (2003),directed by Todd Graff.
