Miranda July (born Miranda Jennifer Grossinger on February 15, 1974) is an American filmmaker, writer, actress, and performance artist known for her deeply personal and experimental storytelling. Her work spans film, literature, performance, and digital media, often exploring themes of intimacy, identity, and human connection.
Key Information
| Full Name | Miranda Jennifer Grossinger |
| Professional Name | Miranda July |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1974 |
| Age | 51 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Barre, Vermont, USA |
| Hometown | Berkeley, California, USA |
| Current Residence | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Jewish-American |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed (secular/creative spirituality themes in work) |
| Languages Spoken | English |
| Profession | Filmmaker, Writer, Actress, Performance Artist |
| Genres | Indie, Experimental, Absurdist, Drama |
| Years Active | 1996 – present |
| Education | UC Santa Cruz (left before graduating) |
| High School | Berkeley High School |
| Parents | Lindy Hough (poet and writer), Richard Grossinger (author and publisher) |
| Siblings | Jonah Grossinger (brother) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Mike Mills (filmmaker) |
| Children | One son (name not publicly disclosed) |
| Sexual Orientation | Heterosexual |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 125 lbs (57 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Hobbies & Interests | Writing, art installations, feminist theory, social experiments |
| First Major Work | Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) |
| Books Published | No One Belongs Here More Than You, The First Bad Man, All Fours |
| Digital Projects | Somebody app, Learning to Love You More, Joanie 4 Jackie |
| Art Exhibitions | The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Venice Biennale |
| Official Website | www.mirandajuly.com |
| @mirandajuly | |
| Awards | Caméra d’Or (Cannes), Sundance Special Jury Prize, Frank O’Connor Award |
| Representation | UTA (United Talent Agency) |
Early Life and Education
Born in Barre, Vermont, and raised in Berkeley, California, Miranda July is the daughter of writers and publishers Lindy Hough and Richard Grossinger, founders of North Atlantic Books. Immersed in a creative environment, she began staging plays at the punk venue 924 Gilman Street during her teenage years. July briefly attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, before moving to Portland, Oregon, where she became involved in the riot grrrl scene and began her career in performance art.
Film and Performance Career
July’s debut feature film, Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), which she wrote, directed, and starred in, received the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and a Special Jury Prize at Sundance. She continued with The Future (2011) and Kajillionaire (2020), both of which she wrote and directed, further establishing her unique voice in independent cinema.
In addition to filmmaking, July has created several performance pieces, including Love Diamond (1998–2000) and The Swan Tool (2000–2002), blending multimedia elements to explore complex emotional landscapes.
Literary Contributions
As an author, July has published a collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You (2007), which won the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. Her novels include The First Bad Man (2015) and All Fours (2024), the latter shortlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction and the Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Art and Digital Projects
July co-founded the participatory art project Learning to Love You More with artist Harrell Fletcher, inviting public contributions to creative assignments. She also initiated Joanie 4 Jackie, a chain-letter-style video project that connected women filmmakers across the country. In 2014, she developed Somebody, a messaging app that combined technology with human interaction by having strangers deliver messages in person.
Awards and Recognition
- Caméra d’Or, Cannes Film Festival (2005)
- Special Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival (2005)
- Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award (2007)
- Peabody Award for narration in Fire of Love (2023)
- Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (2016)
Personal Life
July legally changed her surname at age 15, inspired by a character in a story written by her best friend. She was married to filmmaker Mike Mills, with whom she has a child. The couple separated in 2022 but continue to co-parent. July identifies as a feminist and often incorporates themes of gender and sexuality into her work.
Online Presence
- Official Website: mirandajuly.com
- Instagram: @mirandajuly
Interesting Facts About Miranda July
- Name Change at 15: Miranda adopted the surname “July” as a teenager, inspired by a character created by her best friend in a short story.
- Award-Winning Debut: Her first feature film, Me and You and Everyone We Know, won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was a breakout success in the indie film world.
- Tech Meets Art: She created a one-of-a-kind messaging app called Somebody, where strangers delivered messages face-to-face — combining technology with performance art.
- Literary Acclaim: Her short story collection No One Belongs Here More Than You won the prestigious Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award.
- Feminist Archive Founder: July created Joanie 4 Jackie, a feminist film archive that allowed women to mail in short films and receive compilations in return, building a community of underground female filmmakers.
- Multi-Hyphenate Creative: She’s not just a filmmaker or author — she’s also a performance artist, sculptor, and digital innovator whose work has been exhibited in major art museums.
- Narrated an Oscar-Nominated Doc: She narrated Fire of Love (2022), a documentary about volcanologists that received widespread acclaim and awards buzz.
- Critically Acclaimed Novelist: Her 2024 novel All Fours was shortlisted for both the National Book Award and the Women’s Prize for Fiction.
- Cultural Outsider by Choice: Much of her work intentionally explores awkwardness, vulnerability, and the lives of “weird” or misunderstood characters, giving voice to those on the margins.
- Works Across Borders: Miranda’s projects often defy genre and medium, seamlessly blending fiction, autobiography, visual art, and technology.
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