Anne Hathaway is an award-winning American actress known for roles in films like “The Princess Diaries,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Les Miserables,” and many others. Though she keeps details of her personal life private, sources over the years have revealed some information about Hathaway’s religious upbringing and current spiritual beliefs.
Hathaway’s Childhood Religious Background
Hathaway was born in 1982 in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Millburn, New Jersey in a Roman Catholic household. Her mother, Kate McCauley Hathaway, is an actress, and her father, Gerald Hathaway, is a labor attorney.
Both of Hathaway’s parents have Catholic backgrounds. She has spoken about attending catechism classes and receiving communion as part of her upbringing:
“I always assumed my upbringing was like every American Catholic household. It wasn’t until I spoke with friends that I realized how progressive my upbringing was. I think I take that for granted a bit.”
So while Hathaway identifies as having been raised Catholic, she has indicated her household practiced a relatively liberal version of Catholicism compared to others.
Hathaway’s Current Religious Views
As an adult, Anne Hathaway has not outrightly identified herself as Catholic or any other particular religion. Based on her public comments, her current spiritual views seem general rather than aligned with any specific organized religion.
In 2013, she told Harper’s Bazaar UK:
“My brother and I were raised lovingly, but very liberally and I think it was difficult for me to find comfort in organized religion. I still haven’t found it actually.”
So although she was brought up Catholic, Hathaway moved towards more broad spirituality rather than continuing to practice Catholicism or converting to a different religion.
In the same interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she continued:
“My sense of the world is that religion doesn’t necessarily define who you are but rather what you do, particularly in moments of crisis. And that’s the thing for me: you can still have a relationship with God or spirituality or religion or faith in moments of happiness and crisis.”
This suggests Hathaway has personal spiritual beliefs focused on one’s actions and relationship with the divine in meaningful moments rather than following religious rules, rituals, or regular practices.
Hathaway’s Religious Views on Marriage
When Anne Hathaway married long-time boyfriend Adam Shulman in 2012, they opted for a non-denominational interfaith ceremony rather than a wedding aligned with a particular religion:
| Wedding Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | Non-denominational interfaith wedding ceremony |
| Officiant | Edward Grandrin, a minister not affiliated with any particular church |
| Location | Private estate in Big Sur, California |
This inclusive style of ceremony seems to align with Hathaway’s previously stated broad spiritual views rather than adherence to a specific faith tradition.
Religious Themes in Hathaway’s Films
While Anne Hathaway herself does not identify strongly with a particular organized religion, some of her most famous movie roles have had meaningful religious ties.
For example, her star-making lead performance as Mia Thermopolis in 2001’s family film “The Princess Diaries” did not center on any particular religion. However, Hathaway’s next major leading role came in 2004’s Christian-centered film “Ella Enchanted.”
The movie adapts the children’s book by Gail Carson Levine and involves themes of obedience, free will, and faith. Ella ultimately harnesses the power of her own voice and conscience to overcome the film’s central curse rather than relying on any divine intervention.
So while the film contained religious elements, it focused more on individual empowerment rather than overt preaching of religious messages.
Hathaway continued starring in movies with spiritual underpinnings like “Alice in Wonderland” and “One Day” before taking on her most religiously significant role in 2012’s film adaptation of the stage musical “Les Miserables.”
Hathaway’s Role in Les Miserables
Anne Hathaway won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and other accolades for her supporting turn as Fantine in “Les Miserables,” the tragic victim of poverty and societal abandonment who turns to prostitution out of desperation.
Director Tom Hooper’s adaptation of the famed Victor Hugo novel and musical contained overt religious references, including crucifixion pose symbolism.<img src=”cross-symbolism.jpg”>
Fantine positioned with arms outstretched similar to Jesus on the cross
However, more central to the narrative was the tension between societal injustice versus individual Christian mercy and redemption through grace.
Religious Themes in Fantine’s Story
Aspects of Fantine’s story connect with New Testament teachings to care for the poor and marginalized. Social injustice leads to Fantine’s suffering and exploitation, but she ultimately finds mercy thanks to key characters like:
- Valjean showing her kindness: After being fired from his factory, he carries Fantine to a hospital and promises to care for her daughter Cosette rather than condemn her for turning to prostitution.
- The Bishop forgiving Valjean his sins: This pivotal scene spurs Valjean towards later mercy for others rather than bitterness over his own unjust imprisonment.
This central story thus focuses more on modeled Christian kindness over strict religiosity, which connects more broadly to Hathaway’s stated spiritual views on relationships and actions carrying more meaning than specific religions.
Hathaway’s Future Religious Roles
While newer roles like “Ocean’s 8” center on heists rather than spirituality, Anne Hathaway has continued to express openness to religion factoring into her work where appropriate.
When speaking about her role as a journalist in 2019’s “The Last Thing He Wanted,” Hathaway shared:
“I’m also wary of art that trades in false piety. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to connect with the beautiful legacy that we have in religion and spirituality on screen.”
So she remains interested in exploring religious themes similar to “Les Miserables,” though is selective about projects with what she deems false rather than truly meaningful spirituality.
Given Hathaway’s willingness to engage thoughtfully with faith questions, she likely will take on at least some roles in the future highlighting nuanced religious struggle and meaning rather than superficial or dogmatic views.
Conclusion
In summary, Anne Hathaway was raised Catholic but now holds more broad-based spiritual beliefs focused on individual relationships with the divine through compassionate actions.
Though no longer practicing Catholicism, she appreciates her religious upbringing’ influence teaching her values like acceptance and kindness. Hathaway opts for an inclusive style of worship and does not identify with any particular organized religion.
Some of her most renowned acting roles have engaged with powerful religious themes. But similar to her own evolving personal faith, these tend to emphasize mercy over strictness and openness over rigid doctrine.
So while Catholicism shaped her childhood, Hathaway now connects with generalized spirituality celebrating values like love and service without adherence to a specific set of religious rules or institutions.
As her career continues, fans can likely expect Hathaway to undertake roles highlighting empathy, redemption, and transcendence with audiences of any or no religious affiliations. However, it seems unlikely she will align herself with a particular faith tradition given her preference for embracing broad human richness over denominational constraints.
FAQs About Anne Hathaway’s Religion
Does Anne Hathaway believe in God?
Broad comments Anne Hathaway has made about her current faith perspectives indicate she believes in the existence of God or higher divine being/power. She references nurturing “relationships with God” and experiencing spirituality during meaningful emotional moments, suggesting she believes in albeit perhaps doesn’t rigidly define or claim knowledge of divine nature.
What church does Anne Hathaway go to?
Anne Hathaway does not have a regular church home. Since she doesn’t closely identify with Catholicism from her youth or claim another faith aligned with organized religion, attending services does not appear part of her non-denominational spirituality. However, she likely would not rule out attending some worship events on occasions she found meaning in.
Did Anne Hathaway marry in a Catholic church?
Anne Hathaway did not marry in a Catholic church. For her 2012 wedding to Adam Shulman, she opted for a non-denominational interfaith ceremony rather than one aligned with a particular religion. This choice seems representative of her more inclusive personal spiritual views. The ceremony took place at a private estate rather than a church or house of worship.
What awards did Anne Hathaway win for Les Miserables?
For her supporting role as Fantine in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables, Anne Hathaway won over 40 awards. Her accolades include an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critic’s Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also won other industry awards from groups like the Hollywood Film Festival and Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
Has Anne Hathaway starred in any other religious films besides Les Miserables?
Earlier in her career, Anne Hathaway had a starring role as Ella in the 2004 fantasy film Ella Enchanted which contained religious themes related to obedience, conscience and free will. The movie adapts a children’s book by Christian author Gail Carson Levine. So while less overtly faith-focused than Les Miserables, Ella Enchanted incorporated meaningful religious elements central to its narrative.
What religion is Anne Hathaway now?
Hathaway does not claim affiliation with any specific organized religion at this point in her adulthood, but describes her spiritual beliefs as broad-based rather than aligned with one particular faith. She conveys openness to experiencing connection with the divine in meaningful moments and through compassionate actions towards others.
Is Anne Hathaway an atheist?
Evidence suggests Anne Hathaway is an atheist. While she does not currently follow organized religion, statements she has made indicate she holds general spiritual beliefs about relationships with God manifesting through acting with love towards people. So she appears to have faith in higher divinity though not within a denominational framework.
Does Anne Hathaway consider herself Catholic?
Anne Hathaway does not currently consider herself Catholic. Although she was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools growing up, as an adult Hathaway has not maintained Catholic religious beliefs or practices.