Rooney Mara, born Patricia Rooney Mara on April 17, 1985, in Bedford, New York, is an American actress known for her intense and nuanced performances. She comes from a family with a strong sports legacy, as her father, Timothy Christopher Mara, is the senior vice president of player personnel for the New York Giants, and her mother, Kathleen McNulty (née Rooney), is a part-time real estate agent.

Her great-grandfathers founded the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rooney has an older brother, Daniel, an older sister, Kate, who is also an actress, and a younger brother, Conor.

Rooney Mara began her career with guest roles on television and independent films, such as the coming-of-age drama Tanner Hall (2009). She gained recognition for her supporting role in David Fincher's drama film The Social Network (2010) and had a career breakthrough when she starred as Lisbeth Salander in Fincher's thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), earning her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Her career progressed with leading roles in the thriller Side Effects (2013), the science fiction romance Her (2013), and the romantic drama Carol (2015), for which she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She has continued to take on diverse roles, including the biographical drama Lion (2016), the supernatural drama A Ghost Story (2017), and portraying Mary Magdalene in the biblical drama Mary Magdalene (2018). Following a brief hiatus, she starred in the psychological thriller Nightmare Alley (2021) and the drama Women Talking (2022).

Rooney Mara is known for keeping a low profile but has been in a relationship with actor Joaquin Phoenix since 2016. The couple got engaged in 2019 and married in 2020. They have two children, a son born in 2020 and a daughter born in 2024.

She is also known for her philanthropic efforts, overseeing the Uweza Foundation, which supports empowerment programs for children and families in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, and founding the vegan clothing line Hiraeth Collective.

Rooney Mara has received various accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award.