He was born in Woodhaven, Queens, New York (a neighborhood near Jamaica, Queens) to Elliot Brody (a Jewish American retired history professor) and Sylvia Plachy (a Hungarian-born Catholic photojournalist). Brody attended New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music ). His parents enrolled him in acting classes to distance him from the dangerous kids with whom he associated.

In 1992, Brody was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident in which he flew over a car and crashed feet-first into a crosswalk. He spent months recuperating. An avid daredevil, he has broken his nose several times doing off-the-wall stunts.

Brody hovered on the brink of stardom, receiving praise for his roles in Spike Lee's (2002). The role won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, the youngest actor ever to win the award. To prepare for the role, Brody withdrew for months, gave up his apartment and his car, learned how to play Chopin on the piano, and lost 13 kg (29 lbs).

Throughout his career, Brody has been compared to Al Pacino and Marlon Brando for his unique looks and method acting. He is also widely known for giving Halle Berry a back-breaking kiss after winning his Best Actor Oscar, and as the spokesman for fashion brand Ermenegildo Zegna.

Brody appeared on on May 10, 2003, his first TV work, but he was banned from the show after giving an improvised introduction for musical guest Sean Paul (the show's producer, Lorne Michaels, is infamous for hating un Brody has played three different roles in three very different movies. He played Noah Persey, a mentally disabled young man in the movie remake by Peter Jackson. He has also appeared in Diet Coke commericals. Some critics have argued Brody's choices of roles do not reflect a sufficient maturity for an Oscar winner. Brody for his part has said he simply chooses roles that "look like fun."

On January 5th, 2006, Adrien confirmed speculation that he is indeed interested in playing the role of The Joker in 2008's Batman Begins sequel [1]].