Robin Wright Penn was born in 1966 in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in San Diego, California where she took up modeling and then landed her first TV role on Santa Barbara. After finishing the high-scool she decided to become an actress. She got a role in the daytime series "Santa Barbara" (1984), for which she was nominated three times for an Emmy. Meanwhile, Wright starred in blockbuster hit Princess Bride, The (1987), in the title role. She got the starring role in Denial (1990)(aka "Loon"), alongside Jason Patric, who she fell in love with. In 1990 she was in State of Grace (1990), where she met actor Sean Penn, by whom she had a daughter, Dylan Frances, and a son, Hopper Jack. In 1991 she was offered the role of Maid Marian in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), with Kevin Costner. But, on becoming pregnant she backed out.

Robin was back to Hollywood with one the best roles of her career: she played Tara in Playboys, The (1992). She was extremely stunning and brilliant. Then she acted in Toys (1992) with Robin Williams and she gave a funny performance. In 1994 Wright was in top grossing Forrest Gump (1994), with Tom Hanks and Sally Field. For her performance as Jenny, she got a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. She got a small role in Crossing Guard, The (1995), alongside Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston. After turning down 14 projects, she played the title role of MGM/UA upcoming Moll Flanders (1996), directed by Pen Densham. Her co-stars are Morgan Freeman and Stockard Channing.

• Hectic (2009) (pre-production) (rumored) .... Stella
• A Christmas Carol (2009) (post-production)
  ... aka A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA: IMAX version)
• State of Play (2009) (completed) .... Anne Collins
• The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009) (completed) .... Pippa Lee
  
• New York, I Love You (2008) .... Anna
  ... aka New York, je t'aime (France: literal title)
• What Just Happened (2008) .... Kelly
• Beowulf (2007) (as Robin Wright-Penn) .... Wealthow
  ... aka Beowulf: An IMAX 3D Experience (USA: IMAX version)
  ... aka Beowulf: The IMAX Experience (USA: IMAX version)
• Hounddog (2007) .... Stranger Lady
• Room 10 (2006) .... Frannie
• Breaking and Entering (2006) .... Liv
• Max (2005) .... Mother
• Sorry, Haters (2005) .... Phoebe
• Empire Falls (2005) (TV) .... Grace Roby
• Nine Lives (2005) .... Diana
• A Home at the End of the World (2004) .... Clare
• Virgin (2003) .... Mrs. Reynolds
• The Singing Detective (2003) .... Nicola / Nina / Blonde
• White Oleander (2002) .... Starr
  ... aka Weißer Oleander (Germany)
• The Last Castle (2001) (uncredited) .... Rosalie Irwin
• The Pledge (2001) .... Lori
• Unbreakable (2000) .... Audrey Dunn
• How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (2000) .... Melanie McGowan
  ... aka Mad Dogs and Englishmen (Australia: video title)