Little Known Facts About Sandra Bullock That Will Take You By The Blind Slide
Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock is one of those celebrities many seem to love, but no one knows too much about her life outside the movies. Like the fact that she was born in Germany and that she survived a plane crash in 2000.
But it's time to unravel the mystery behind one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. Get ready; because you're going to be blindsided by some of these facts surrounding the Miss Congeniality star.
Sandra Annette Bullock Traveled As A Young Kid
Born in Arlington, Virginia, in 1964, Sandra Annette Bullock traveled quite a bit as a child. Her father, John Wilson Bullock, was an army employee in charge of the Army's Military Postal Service in Europe, while her mother, Helga Mathilde Meyer, was a German vocal coach and opera singer.
Both occupations had Bullock traveling around Europe a lot! For 12 years, the young Bullock lived and learned in Germany, Vienna, Nuremberg, and Salzburg, Austria. Because of her years abroad, she speaks German fluently.
She Participated In Her Mother's Operas
Because her mother was active in the opera scene throughout Europe, Sandra Bullock did what any creatively-incline kid would — participated in her mother's shows! When it was feasible, Bullock would take on small parts in her mother's productions, starting at the young age of five.
She even sang in the opera's children's choir in Nuremberg when she was younger. Alas, singing in the opera was not what Bullock had in mind for the rest of her artistic career.
There's A Tiny Scar About Her Left Eye
As a child living in Germany, Sandra Bullock's childhood might not have been "ordinary," but it was still full of fun. Unfortunately for the actress, that fun came with the end result of a tiny scar above her left eye!
According to her IMDb biography, when she was young, the actress was playing near a lake. There, she slipped and hit her head on a rock, resulting in a small vertical scar located about her left eye.
Junior High Was Not Easy For The Actress
Moving from Germany to the United States as a teenager was not easy for Sandra Bullock. She was a young teenager, uprooted from her friends and familiar surroundings, and the kids in her new junior high took advantage of her insecurity.
During an interview with Cinema, Bullock said, "I came to America from Germany when I was in my early teens and got my butt kicked big time in junior high. I sounded different and dressed differently. My classmates were unbelievably cruel, and it left its mark."
In High School, Bullock Was A Cheerleader
After her time abroad, actress Sandra Bullock and her family returned to the United States. Back in Arlington, Virginia, Bullock attended Washington-Lee High School. And while Lily Collins plays her cheerleading daughter in The Blind Side, it looks as though Bullock had some experience with the sport before "coaching" in the movie.
At Washington-Lee, Bullock was a cheerleader! Of course, she also wasn't far from the stage, participating in many of the school's theater productions.
Bullock's Style Was A Result Of Her Mom's Overt Feminism
Like most teen girls, Sandra Bullock went against her mom's overly feminine sense of style when she got older. Growing up, Bullock's mom would make them matching dresses, wanting the actress to be a mini version of herself.
During an interview with InStyle, the actress said, "She would make matching minidresses, and we had little gladiator sandals...I was supposed to be the mini version of her, but I didn't like that feeling, so I went the other way: I went tomboy — jeans, baseball caps. I skated, rode bikes."
Remodeling Homes Is A Passion
While she got her sense of non-style from her mother, Sandra Bullock got her love of remodeling from her father. According to the actress, she watched her dad renovate, finding an interest in the concept at a young age.
During an interview with InStyle, Bullock discussed her father, saying, "He'd buy old buildings, and he'd restore them himself from the ground up, and I tagged along. I was like, 'Oh, I'll learn how to do a drywall or install a toilet.'"
She Graduated College As A Pirate
After completing her studies at Washington-Lee High School in 1982, Sandra Bullock sought higher education. Apparently, the south was in her blood because Bullock didn't stray too far from Virginia, attending Eastern Carolina University and becoming an ECU Pirate.
There she participated in many of the university's theater productions, including Three Sisters and Peter Pan. By 1987, Bullock graduated from ECU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama. Then, the young actress was off to New York!
Life In The Big Apple Wasn't All That Glamorous
After graduating from college, Sandra Bullock packed her things and made her way to The Big Apple, New York City. As it goes, though, being an actress in Manhattan isn't easy, and Bullock found herself working odd jobs to pay the bills.
Before getting her big break, Bullock worked as a coat checker, cocktail waitress, and even a bartender. All while taking acting classes with coach Sanford Meisner. She was quite determined.
Bullock Got Her Start In Student Films
As a young actress living in Manhattan, New York, Bullock realized that she had to pay her dues before her big break. So, she found herself in a lot of student-directed films. Soon, she found herself landing a role in an off-Broadway play, getting that much closer to realizing her dream.
It wasn't long before director Alan J. Levi noticed Bullock, offering her a role in his made-for-television film Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman.
Bullock's World Opened When She Landed Working Girl
After being offered a spot in Alan J. Levi's Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman, Sandra Bullock's acting door opened up. Her performance in the sci-fi film gained notice by independent film directors and networks, specifically NBC.
In 1990, NBC offered Bullock the lead role of Tess McGill in the sitcom Working Girl. And while the show was very short-lived, lasting one season of just 12 episodes, it didn't stop Bullock's career.
1993-1994 Changed Everything
Even though Working Girl didn't gain steam, it didn't stop Sandra Bullock from being hired for films. In 1993 alone, Bullock landed roles in Fire on the Amazon, The Thing Called Love, and Demolition Man. The latter brought Bullock out of Hollywood's "unknown" sphere and into the realm of celebrity.
Then 1994 and Speed happened. Playing the lead role of Annie Porter opposite Keanu Reeves, Bullock established herself as a leading lady in Hollywood.
Bullock Was Advised Not To Do Speed
Ironically, many people advised Sandra Bullock not to take on the role of Annie Porter in Speed. The role that would be her break out role in Hollywood. During an interview with People, Bullock discussed her decision on taking the part, saying, "Everyone told me not to do Speed. I mean, it looked like I'd be just 'the girl,’ but I’ve learned to do things by instinct."
Considering the film's commercial and financial success, it's safe to say Bullock's instincts were pretty on point!
1995 = Her First Golden Globe Nomination
After the success of Speed, Sandra Bullock established herself as a leading lady in Hollywood, landing a few high-profile films. One such film was the 1995 romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping.
Many critics called Bullock's performance charming, describing the actress as someone who works in the formula of rom-coms and gives it a good name. Her performance was wildly recognized and earned Bullock her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress-Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Unfortunately, she lost to Nicole Kidman.
Bullock Discovered An Allergy While Filming Two If By Sea
While filming to 1996 rom-com Two If By Sea, Sandra Bullock discovered an allergy (talk about inconvenient timing!). During a scene with a horse, the actress quickly discovered she is allergic to them!
Imagine living life not knowing your allergic to an animal, and then one day, in the middle of work, you begin sneezing uncontrollably! Of course, Bullock is a professional, and even though she was probably uncomfortable, she finished up filming,
Another Award Nomination Came in 1996
A string of success came for Sandra Bullock after Speed and While You Were Sleeping. Even though the two films didn't garner Bullock an award, one was right around the corner. In 1996, Bullock starred as Ellen Roark in the drama A Time to Kill.
Her performance didn't go unnoticed, earning Bullock yet another award nomination. This time, it was the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. This time, she lost out to Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet.
Speed 2: Cruise Control Was a Mistake
As it goes with most actors, there is one regret Sandra Bullock has in her career, and it was agreeing to do Speed 2: Cruise Control. The actress agreed to the film in the first place because the studio agreed to fund her upcoming project, Hope Floats.
Even so, she told The Nation how she felt about the sequel, saying, "I've always been at the helm of what I do. There’s never been anything that someone said 'I think you should do… except for Speed 2, which I wish someone would have done."
Bullock Changed Her Acting Philosophy In The Late 90s
After the complete box office bomb that was Speed 2: Cruise Control, Sandra Bullock reevaluated her path as an actress. According to the actress, one of those changes was taking on interesting projects that would stretch her range and not necessarily huge blockbusters.
The first project was the 1998 drama Hope Floats and the second was the now-cult classic film Practical Magic where Bullock plays a caused witch, doomed to find lasting love alongside Nicole Kidman.
2000 Brought The World Gracie Lou Freebush
In 2000, Sandra Bullock landed the role that would define her career for a lot of young girls — undercover FBI agent Gracie Hart in the comedy Miss Congeniality. The film made a huge splash at the box office and has since become a cult classic, empowering young girls to SING and take self-defense classes.
The film also marks Bullock's second Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress — Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
After 2000, She Took A Brief Hiatus
Although Sandra Bullock was on a roll, landing role after role in popular films, she took a brief hiatus from the world of Hollywood after Miss Congeniality, 28 Days, and Kate & Leopold. While the latter was released in 2001, Bullock wasn't seen in anything new until 2002.
That year, the actress came back on the scene like a force of nature! Her first role back as a professional actress was in the phycological thriller Murder by Numbers.
She's Recognized For Helping Launch Another Career
In 2002, Sandra Bullock was recognized for more than her onscreen performances. That year, she was recognized for helping expand career openings in Hollywood for Hispanic talent. She was even awarded the Raul Julia Award for Excellence for her contributions.
One of the big-name talents she helped is none other than George Lopez. In 2002, Bullock's production company Fortis Films premiered George Lopez; a popular sitcom surrounding a Latin family. Bullock even pushed for George to star.
George Lopez Was Bullock's Last TV Appearance
Even though Sandra Bullock got her start on television, she didn't stay with the medium. Actually, her last television performance was back in 2004, as one of the recurring characters in George Lopez, a sitcom produced by her company Fortis Films.
Even though the series was not an easy sell to television networks, Bullock was able to get the show on-air for six seasons. Unfortunately, for fans of the actress, she doesn't appear in all of the seasons.
Bullock Enjoys Working Behind The Scenes
Sandra Bullock might be an Academy Award-winning actress, but that doesn't mean she enjoys spending all of her time in front of the camera. She actually has a huge interest in the behind-the-scenes work.
Throughout her career, Bullock has been credited as an executive producer on two TV shows and four full-length movies, including Murder by Numbers, The Proposal, Hope Floats, and George Lopez. She's also produced six films, including Miss Congeniality, Two Weeks Notice, and All About Steve.
Once Upon A Time, She Dated Ryan Gosling
After Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan broke off their engagement, the actress began dating Ryan Gosling. Not yet known in Hollywood as the guy from The Notebook, the two dated for a little over a year.
But that was long enough for Bullock's Two Weeks Notice co-star Hugh Grant to make fun of their 16-year age difference. To rile Bullock up, Grant would make baby noises and call Gosling "The Child."
She Walked Away From A Potentially Fatal Plane Crash
During the 2000 holiday season, Sandra Bullock and then-boyfriend Bob Schneider were in a plane crash. When approaching Jackson Hole Airport, the pilots were unable to activate the runway lights due to the aircraft's outdated approach plates.
They wound up landing in the airport's graded safety between the parallel taxiway and runway, skidding nose-first into a snowbank. Thankfully, neither Bullock, Schneider, nor the crew onboard the ship was injured in the crash landing.
She Used To Own A Restaurant In Texas
In 2006, Sandra Bullock opened Bess Bistro, a French restaurant located in the almost-century-old Stratford Arms building in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, the bistro turned off its burner and closed its doors permanently in 2015.
But it wasn't the only venture Bullock had in Austin. Located across the street, Bullock opened Walton's Fancy & Staple, a hybrid flower shop, deli, and bakery. For this concept, Bullock turned to her baker sister to help sort out the menu.
A Musical Lover She Is Not
Considering her mom's opera background and her father's part-time work as a vocal coach, it might be interesting to learn that Sandra Bullock is actually not the biggest fan of musicals. Even though she grew up performing alongside her mother and in children's choirs, the actress has a deep dislike of the theatrical genre.
She's made her stance on musicals very clear, stating in interviews that she has never and will never set foot on a musical stage.
After Two Weeks Notice, Bullock Took A Break From Rom-Coms
In the early days of her career, Sandra Bullock became known as a rom-com princess. Because of this, she wanted to branch out and explore other acting opportunities in dramas and thrillers. For some time, her last rom-com was the 2002 movie Two Weeks Notice.
During an interview, the actress reportedly said, "I'd rather go watch one than be in one because I wouldn’t buy it if I were doing it now." Of course, Bullock jumped back into the rom-com genre after a while.
The "Best Performance Of Her Career" Came In 2004
At the time, a lot of critics thought the 2004 film Crash was Sandra Bullock's best performance of her career. While Bullock wasn't nominated for her performance, the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Ironically, the film is now thought to be "the worst Best Picture," with Cultural critic Ta-Nehisi Coates calling it "shallow and "unthinking...the worst film of the decade." Maybe it's a good thing Bullock didn't win an award for this movie!
2009 Gave Bullock A Unique Distinction
Sandra Bullock had quite a year in 2009. First, her fourth successful picture was released, the rom-com The Proposal, in which she starred alongside Ryan Reynolds. More impressively, her film The Blind Side earned Bullock, her first-ever Academy Award win for Best Actress.
Winning the Oscar also gave Bullock a very unique distinction that year, as she won two Razzie Awards the day before for her performance in All About Steve. She is the only actor ever to win both the Best and Worst Actor awards in the same year.
The Blind Side Made History
While The Blind Side earned Sandra Bullock her first Academy Award, it made other waves in the world of Hollywood as well as Bullock's overall career. It was the highest-grossing opening weekend for the actress, with the movie earning $34.5 million.
More impressively, though, it's the first movie in the history of cinema to surpass $200 million in the box office with a single top-billed actress. In this case, that actress happened to be Bullock!
Some Fans Are A Little Too Obsessed
In 2002, Sandra Bullock experienced a stalker, Thomas James Weldon. The man followed Bullock across several states, resulting in a 2003 restraining order that was renewed in 2006. Unfortunately, for the actress, it wasn't the last time she'd hear from Weldon.
After he was released from a mental institution, he once again traveled the United States in search of Bullock. Of course, his intrusion on her life resulted in yet another restraining order.
She Married Jesse James In 2005
Sandra bullock first met her now-ex-husband Jesse James as a Christmas present for her godson, who wanted nothing more than to meet the Garage Monster host. The two hit it off and were married on July 16, 2005.
The couple was so close that, in 2009, Bullock agreed to support James through a custody battle with his second ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder. The couple wound up winning full custody of James' five-year-old daughter.
A 2010 Scandal Broke Their Marriage
While everything seemed to be going smoothly for Sandra Bullock and Jesse James, a 2010 scandal broke their marriage. That year, multiple women came forward, stating they had affairs with James while he was married to the actress.
James' publicist responded to the allegations by saying the reality TV star checked into a rehab facility to work on personal issues. But Bullock is a strong woman, filing for divorce. It was finalized on June 28, 2010.
A Woman Was Found Outside Of Her House
As if the 2003 stalker wasn't enough, on April 22, 2007, a woman was found lying outside of the actress and Jesse James' house in Orange County, California. But when James confronted Marcia Diana Valentine, she took off.
Well, not entirely; Valentine hopped into her car and tried to run the reality TV star over! She was later charged with aggravated assault and stalking, each a felony, and sentenced to three years probation.
Bullock's House Was Broken Into
In 2014, Bullock had a huge scare. While she was home, her Los Angeles residence was broken into by Joshua James Corbett. Not sure if he was armed or dangerous, the actress locked herself in the bathroom until the police arrived.
In 2017, Corbett pleaded no contest and was sentenced to five years of probation on top of a ten-year protection order stating that he wouldn't go near Bullock or her family. Yikes.
2013 Was Her Return To The Screen
After the success of The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock took a step back, removing herself from the spotlight of Hollywood. But, in 2013, the actress made a comeback in the comedy film The Heat, in which she stars alongside the comedic genius of Melissa McCarthy.
The film garnered generally positive reviews, making it a great "comeback movie" for Bullock. And while the year didn't end with the film, it definitely helped Bullock regain her footing in the industry.
Gravity Was The Movie Of 2013
If one movie defined 2013 for Sandra Bullock, it was the sci-fi thriller Gravity. Once again, audiences and critics saw Bullock as a serious actress and not just a comedian. And her performance as Dr. Ryan Stone was highly praised among top critics.
That year, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, losing out to Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. At the end of the day, the film raked in $716 million at the global box office, making it Bullock's second most successful film to date.
An Animated Film Became Bullock's Most Successful Work
Even with all of the success that's come from Sandra Bullock's live-action roles, her most successful film to-date is actually animated. In 2015, Bullock lent her voice to the animated film Minions, a spin-off of the wildly successful Despicable Me franchise.
In the film, she voices the villain, Scarlet Overkill. The film wound up making $1.1 billion at the global box office, surpassing all of her previous projects and making it her biggest box office success to date.
A Sabbatical and Bullock's 2018 Return To Film
After 2015, actress Sandra Bullock took yet another break from acting. This time, it was a little longer than a year or two, though. Fans didn't see Bullock in a new project until 2018 when she came out of the woodwork for the all-female casting of Ocean's Eight.
In the film, Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, sister to George Clooney's Danny Ocean. The film was a global success, grossing $296.9 million at the box office.
The Actress Hates Being Scared
If there is one thing Sandra Bullock doesn't find funny, it's when people scare her. During a 2018 interview with People, the Academy Award-winning actress expressed her dislike of being scared, even though she currently starred in the Netflix original thriller Bird Box.
She said, "I don't like to be scared. I hate being scared...I hate, hate people who think it's funny to stand behind doors and scare you because they know that you hate being scared.”
Bird Box Generated A Lot Of Buzz
In a very out-of-genre move, Sandra Bullock starred in the Netflix original thriller film Bird Box, a movie based on the Josh Malerman novel of the same name. In the film, Bullock stars as Malorie, a mom trying to safely bring her children to a safe place, away from the mysterious force killing people.
The twist: they have to be blindfolded because the force shows a person their worst fear which eventually leads to death. The film garnered a lot of buzz on social media, becoming one of the most-watched Netflix originals so far.
The Blindfolds In Bird Box Were Real
Contrary to popular belief, the blindfold worn by Sandra Bullock in the thriller film Bird Box was actually real. That's right; the actress refused to cut holes in her blindfold, instead opting for a more authentic approach.
During an interview with BBC, the actress joked that even though she ran into the camera a few times, the blindfold gave her performance a sense of authenticity. She said, "it helped give a really jagged feeling to those scenes..."
She Wasn't Totally Flying Blind In Bird Box
While the actress didn't want to play it safe filming Bird Box, opting to fly blind during most scenes, there were a few instances where she didn't feel comfortable doing so. Namely, she wasn't going to risk the safety of her two young co-stars.
During an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bullock explained that she asked the crew to take away one layer of her blindfold anytime she was running with or carrying one of the kids. This way, she could see outlines.
Bullock's First Gift To George Lopez Is A Blast From The Past
After helping him get his start in Hollywood as the star of George Lopez, Sandra Bullock and George Lopez have been great friends. They're such good friends, in fact, that one of the first gifts Bullock gave the other actor was a phone!
And it wasn't just a phone, but the phone of phones in the early 2000s, a Blackberry. One of the messages the actress sent to his phones read, "If you ever need me, I'm your big sister. If you ever need me to be the bad guy, I will be the bad guy."
Million Dollar Baby Was Almost A Bullock Production
For years, Sandra Bullock tried to get studios interested in the sports drama Million Dollar Baby, based on F.X. Toole's short story of the same name. At the time, though, she couldn't garner interest in a story about a female boxer.
So, she put the project aside and got caught up in working on the Miss Congeniality sequel, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. Of course, the project eventually moved forward, with Hilary Swank starring in the lead role of Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald.
She Accepted Her Razzie In Person
Many don't remember Sandra Bullock starred in the stalker film All About Steve. Mostly because The Blind Side came out that same year, and people were more interested in the sports film than a not-so-stellar movie.
Anyway, Bullock wound up winning the Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress for her role in the film. Being Sandra Bullock, she went to the ceremony and accepted her award with grace and dignity. It probably helped that she won an Oscar the following evening!
The Heat Attracted Bullock For A Specific Reason
When actress Sandra Bullock announced she was going to join Melissa McCarthy in the comedy The Heat, she said it was because the script attracted her. Unlike other films she's done, this one shows two females in a buddy-buddy relationship, something that is seen more in all-guy casts.
During an interview, Parade, Bullock said, "I've always wanted to do a female buddy film, the kind the guys get to do. This didn’t have anything to do with getting a guy, and it didn’t involve shoe shopping."
Named One Of The 50 Most Beautiful People By People
Each year, People magazine names 50 of the most beautiful people in the world, not only base don looks but also character. In 1996 and 1999, actress Sandra Bullock was honored as one of those 50 people.
It's no surprise People named her one of the most beautiful people again in 2011, as she's described as being one of the nicest, real, and most fun people in the industry. People then named her the Most Beautiful Woman in 2015.
Donations, Donations, And More Donations
At least five times throughout the years, Sandra Bullock has donated a million dollars to the American Red Cross, with her first donation specifically going to Red Cross's Liberty Disaster Relief Fund.
In 2004, she sent money to help those affected by the Indian Ocean tsunamis and earthquakes. A few years later, she donated another million to help the people of Hatai after the devastating earthquake that hit the country in 2010.
Her Humanitarian Work Is Wildly Recognized
To commemorate all of the donations and public announcements supporting just causes, in 2012, Sandra Bullock was inducted into the Warren Easton Hall of Fame. The next year, the 39th People's Choice Awards awarded the actress the much-deserved Favorite Humanitarian Award.
The latter was in response to the work Bullock did in helping restore New Orleans' Warren Easton High School. The building was severely damaged in the horrific 2005 natural disaster Hurricane Katrina.
Bullock Is All About Adoption
Sandra Bullock adopted her first son back in 2010 when she was still married to Jesse James. The two actually kept the adoption a secret from the press and public, announcing it after the 2010 Oscar ceremony.
Unfortunately, that was the same year of her divorce. But she continued to raise her son as a single parent. Her second child became part of the family in 2015, a daughter. That year, the actress and her then-three-year-old daughter appeared on the cover of People magazine.
Television Runs In The Family
As it turns out, Sandra Bullock isn't the only one in her family to make a living onscreen. Her sister, Gesine Bullock-Prado, happens to be a successful baker, hosting her own show on the food network called Baked in Vermont.
Bullock-Prado also appears as a judge on the cooking and baking competition shows Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks, and Christmas Cookie Challenge. She even helped Sandra pick out a chef for her restaurant Walton's Fancy and Staple.
Social Media Isn't Important
While most celebrities are all over social media, Sandra Bullock doesn't take part in the platforms. During an interview with Insider, the actress explained that her lack of social media presence isn't because she's ignorant; it's just because she's lazy.
She said, "I'm not ignorant of what's happening out there. I look over people's shoulders, going, 'What is that little vignette of a cat on a fan?' I'm just lazy. Once my kids are using it, I'll know how to navigate it. I don't want to be naïve."
Fortis Films Was Started For A Specific Reason
In 1995, Sandra Bullock founded the production company Fortis Films. Even though she was doing well on her own, Bullock wanted more control over her projects. So, obviously, opening her own company was the answer!
The Greek word for strength, Bullock jumped right into her role as the company's figurehead, fighting for projects and actors she believed in, including the one and only George Lopez. She found Lopez while he was doing stand-up and turned him into a star.
Bullock Is A Hollywood Mentor
Aside from her own kids looking up to her, many of Sandra Bullocks former co-stars see the actress as a mentor figure. One of her peers from The Blind Side, Lily Collins, just so happens to be one of those people.
The younger actress has been known to call Bullock on a few occasions, asking for career advice in the industry. During an interview, Collins said, "I would ask her, 'Tell me your tricks, tell me everything.'"
The Bikini Scene That Never Should Have Happened
One of the more memorable scenes in Miss Congeniality is the bathing suit competition. Not because of the weirdly pink bathing suits worn by the contestants, but because of how Sandra Bullock's character started cracking up on stage, trying to think of anything but how ridiculous she felt on the stage.
Well, the laughter was probably genuine; in a weird way. The actress was actually very much against the scene, trying to get it written out of the script multiple times.
Bullock "Learned All The Tricks"
Having to change from tomboy FBI agent Gracie Hart to beauty pageant wonder woman Gracie Lou Freebush wasn't easy for actress Sandra Bullock. Not that it was difficult being girly, it was more-so all of the wardrobe tricks she had to learn!
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bullock said, "I've learned a lot about the tricks. You look at people and you go, 'How is it that they manage to look like this?'—you can build a body. You can really build a body."
Bullock Did Miss Congeniality For The Physical Comedy
While Sandra Bullock was already known for her comedy, she never had a physically comedic role on her resume. That one aspect is actually why the actress decided to take on Miss Congeniality as the not-so-graceful Gracie Hart.
During an interview with ET, she said, "Through the years I'd always looked for something that had a lot of physical comedy and sort of the great fish-out-of-water story and having to do something that they would never normally do."
Sandra Enjoys Doing Her Own Stunts
Believe it or not, Sandra Bullock enjoys doing her own stunts. In Miss Congeniality, she doesn't even have a stunt double, opting to do everything herself. So, all of those wrestling scenes with her co-star Benjamin Bratt were done by the two actors!
According to Bullock, the fighting scenes were fairly easy compared to the pageant scenes where she had to do a "combat tutorial" for the Miss United States audience.
