Tuesday, 29 January 2013
14 November 1979, Berdyansk, Zaporozhye Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, USSR [now Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine]
Birth Name
Olga Konstantinovna Kurylenko
Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m)
Mini Biography
Olga Kurylenko, a Ukrainian-born actress and model, went from sharing a cramped flat with her aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousin to starring as a Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig.
She was born Olga Konstantinovna Kurylenko on November 14, 1979, in Berdyansk, Ukraine, Soviet Union. Her mother, Marina Alyabysheva, divorced her father, Konstantin Kurylenko, soon after her birth. After the divorce her mother struggled to survive as an art teacher. Young Olga was brought up by her mother and her grandmother, Raisa. During her youth Olga had the humbling experience of living in poverty; she had no choice but to wear rags and had to darn the holes on her sweater. During her years in Ukraine she studied art and languages and spent seven years studying piano at a local school of music in Berdyansk. She also went to a ballet studio until 13.
At age 13 Olga and her mother made a trip to Moscow. There she was spotted by an agent, who approached her at a subway station and offered her a job as a model. Initially Olga's mother was suspicious, but she checked the agent's credentials and eventually allowed Olga to accept training as a model in Moscow, which turned out to be a good career choice.
By age 16 she was ready for the next step. She moved to Paris, learned French in six months and was signed by the Madison agency. At age 18 she appeared on the cover of Glamour, and in short order graced the covers of Elle, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, and Vogue. She also became the face of Lejaby lingerie, Bebe clothing, Clarins and Helena Rubinstein cosmetic companies.
In 1999 Olga married French photographer Cedric Van Mol, but divorced him 3-1/2 years later. One day Olga presented herself to an acting agency. Eventually she swapped the catwalk for the movie screen, and her acting career took off. In 2005 she made her film debut as "Iris", a sensual beauty, in The Ring Finger (2005), by director Diane Bertrand.
Olga's cinematic roles have been notably steamy, and her natural beauty and explicit nudity attracted the attention of the male audiences. She appeared opposite Elijah Wood in Paris, je t'aime (2006) and as "Sofia" in The Snake (2006), then co-starred as Russian beauty "Nika Boronina" opposite Timothy Olyphant in Hitman (2007/I). She also appeared as "Mina Harud" in the indie surveillance-thriller "Tyranny" (2008). On Christmas Eve 2007, Olga was offered to play what will become her biggest hit: co-starring as "Camille", the Bond girl, opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace (2008), a sequel to Casino Royale (2006).
With the international success as Bond Girl, Olga also made appearances on various TV productions in Russia and Ukraine. In 2012, Olga Kurylenko was cast as Julia, supporting role in the Sci-Fi adventure Oblivion (2013/I) opposite Tom Cruse and Morgan Freeman.
Spouse
Damian Gabrielle (2006 - 2007) (divorced)
Cedric Van Mol (2000 - 2004) (divorced)
Trivia
Trained as a dancer and model in Moscow.
Plays the piano.
Served on the jury at the 2007 Brussels International Film Festival.
Admires old movies.
Speaks Russian, English and French fluently.
Originally believed she had failed to impress director and producers of Quantum of Solace (2008) after her audition.
Was told she had got the part of Camille in Quantum of Solace (2008) on Christmas Eve 2007.
Trained as a ballerina in the Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR) from ages 8 to 12 and Independent Ukraine from ages 12 to 13.
Quantum of Solace (2008) in which she starred, opened worldwide on her 29th birthday (November 14).
27 October 1981, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England, UK
Birth Name
Andrea Louise Riseborough
Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)
Trivia
Is a former member of the National Youth Theatre. Appeared as "Bone Girl" in an amateur production of "Dog Days", which won the 1999 Mike Figgis Award.
Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA).
Won the 2006 Ian Charleson Award which recognizes exceptional classical stage performances from actors under 30, for her performances in "Miss Julie" in "Measure For Measure".
Member of the National Youth Theatre.
Hailed by The Sunday Times Magazine as one of Britain's finest Rising Stars along with Romola Garai, Matthew Goode, Hugh Dancy, Eddie Redmayne, Gemma Arterton, Hayley Atwell, Richard Coyle, Tom Sturridge, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Eliza Bennett, Daniel Mays and Kaya Scodelario (2009).
2011: Named as one of European films' Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion.
In a relationship with graffiti artist Joe Appel since 2009.
Personal Quotes
I love my work and I love working hard. But I feel lucky every day that in this capitalist society in which we live, one can make one's living doing what one loves.
If I weren't an actress I'd like to be an author. Either that or the proprietor of a pool hall in Texas where I'd show cabaret with homosexual undertones.
[on working with Madonna in W.E. (2011)] She always said, "I'm here if you need anything from me", but she gave us a sense of freedom in regards to embodying the characters. When it came to shooting, she's a very visual, detailed director. She loves blocking things out. Before I walked on-set, she would choose my shoes and jewelery. It was her little ritual.
[on Edward, Duke of Windsor] I was fascinated by this detail in a documentary about Edward. When he and Wallis were living together, he would wait at the bottom of the stairs while she was dressing. After a certain amount of time, the butler would bring him a chair, and he would sit and wait. In a little more time, the butler would bring him a cigarette, and he'd sit there and smoke and wait. He'd wait and wait. Sometimes she would come down and they would leave. And sometimes he'd wait so long that he would end up in tears. There's something about that story that hit me in my heart.
I have lots of early film memories. I used to like watching black & white movies in the afternoon; I would sit kind of transfixed in front of the TV screen.
Initially when you get the script, you peruse the script. It was so simple with Brighton Rock (2010). The feeling, intuitively, was there. It's like reading a half of a whole, and you see the other half. That's not to say that you're destined to play every role you respond to like that, nor is it to say that you might find enough of them. But there are certain things, as an actress, that you're interested in exploring. I was really interested in exploring Rose. It was beautiful and hard and exciting and tragic and wonderful.
What I'd like to say is that I feel sad that, where female characters are involved, we constantly reduce the film... because you and I both know that if this were a film with two male leads, we wouldn't even be having a conversation about gender.
It's different working with every director because by a person's nature, their personality and who they are very much dictates the way that they approach their art, so it's always different. I so much enjoyed working with Madonna. She was so prepared and so passionate and truly innovative in her approach. It was wonderful.
Where Are They Now
(February 2010) Starring off-Broadway as "Sylvia" in "The Pride", by Alexi Kaye Campbell, directed by Joe Mantello. With Hugh Dancy, Adam James, Ben Whishaw.
5 June 1971, Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Birth Name
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg
Nickname
Marky Mark
Monk D
Height
5' 8" (1.73 m)
Mini Biography
American actor Mark Wahlberg is one of a handful of respected entertainers who successfully made the transition from teen pop idol to respected actor. A Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee for The Departed (2006) who went on to receive positive critical reviews for his performance in The Fighter (2010), Wahlberg also is a solid comedy actor, proven by his starring role in Ted (2012).
Born Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg on June 5, 1971 in Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, Wahlberg is the youngest of nine children. Wahlberg became involved in drugs at a young age and, following a string of pretty crimes, was convicted of assault against two men in 1988. He was sentenced to two years in state prison at Boston's Deer Island House of Correction, but served 45 days. Wahlberg cites his jail time as being his motivation to improve his life. Around this time, his older brother Donnie Wahlberg had become an overnight teen idol as a member of the 1980's boy band New Kids on the Block.
Donnie used his connections in the music business to help his little brother secure a recording contract, and soon the world was introduced to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, with Wahlberg as a bad-boy rapper who danced in his boxers. This led to a modeling contract with Calvin Klein, widespread fame and a 1992 biography that he dedicated to his penis. As that last detail hints, Wahlberg tended to get in trouble with his mouth, which was feverishly reported upon in the tabloids. But it was his appearance on a British talk show with rapper Shabba Ranks that effectively ended Wahlberg's career as a hip-hop star: When Ranks made blatantly homophobic statements that Wahlberg did nothing to refute, he soon found himself accused of bigotry. His second album was a flop, and soon after Wahlberg abandoned his rap career.
Using his real name, Wahlberg made his big screen debut in Penny Marshall's Renaissance Man (1994). This was followed by a performance in The Basketball Diaries (1995) that earned him positive critical notice, and a deeply disturbing role in Fear (1996) as a violent, obsessed stalker.
The major turning point in Wahlberg's career came with the role of troubled porn star Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997). Since then, Wahlberg has chosen roles that demonstrate a wide range of dramatic ability, starring in critically acclaimed dramas such as Three Kings (1999) and The Perfect Storm (2000), popcorn flicks like Planet of the Apes (2001) and Contraband (2012), and even indies such as I Heart Huckabees (2004).
Wahlberg also is the executive producer of such television series as "Boardwalk Empire" (2010), "In Treatment" (2008) and the highly successful comedy "Entourage" (2004), which was partly based on his experiences in Hollywood.
Wahlberg and his wife Rhea Durham have four children.
Mini Biography
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg was born June 5th, 1971 in the poor working class district of Boston known as Dorchester, the youngest of nine children. His parents were Alma & Donald Wahlberg. The large Wahlberg brood didn't have a lot growing up, especially after his parents divorced when he was eleven. The kids crammed into a three bedroom apartment, none of them having very much privacy. After the divorce, Mark's mother has said that she became very self-absorbed with her own problems. She blames herself for her son's subsequent problems and delinquency. Wahlberg dropped out of high school at age 14 (but later got his GED) to pursue a life of petty crime and drugs. He'd spend his days scamming and stealing, working on the odd drug deal before treating himself to the substances himself. The young man also had a violent streak - one which was often aimed at minorities. At age 16, he was convicted of assault against two Vietnamese men after he had tried to rob them. As a result of his assault conviction, he was sentenced to serve 50 days in prison at Deer Island penitentiary. Whilst there, he began working out to pass time and, when he emerged at the end of his sentence, he had gone from being a scrawny young kid to a buff young man. Wahlberg also credits the jail time as being his motivation to improve his lifestyle and leave the crime behind him. Once he was released, Mark rejoined his family, who were now in the national spotlight. His older brother Donnie Wahlberg was a member of the 1980's singing sensation New Kids on the Block. Mark himself had been an original member of the band but had backed out early on - uncomfortable with the squeaky clean image of the group. A precursor to the boy-band craze, New Kids on the Block were dominating the charts and were on top of their game. Donnie decided to help his little brother out and tried to get him on the straight and narrow. He pulled some strings and got Mark set up with a recording contract. Despite a lack of singing ability, promoters took to his dance moves and a physique they knew teenage girls would love. Donnie scripted some easy songs for Mark, who collected a troupe of dancers and a DJ to become his "Funky Bunch" and "Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch" was born. His debut album, "Music for the People", was a smash hit, which was propelled along by the rapper's willingness to disrobe down to boxer-briefs on stage, not to mention several catchy tunes. Teenage girls thrilled to the rapping "bad boy". Record producer David Geffen saw in Wahlberg a cash-cow of marketing ability. After speaking to designer Calvin Klein, Marky Mark was set up as the designer's chief underwear model. His scantily clad figure soon adorned billboards across the nation. Ironically, while the New Kids on the Block's fame was dwindling as audiences tired of their syrupy lyrics, "Marky Mark's" bad boy image was becoming even more of a commodity. He was constantly in the headlines (often of the tabloids) after multiple scandals. In 1992, he released a book dedicated to his penis. Wahlberg was constantly getting into rumored fights, most memorably with Madonna and her entourage at a Los Angeles party. While things were always intense, they were relatively harmless and made for enjoyable reading for the public. However, when the story of his arrest for assault (and the allegations of racism) broke in the press, things took on a decidedly darker note. People were not amused. Soon after, while on a British talk show along with rapper Shabba Ranks, he got into even more trouble. After Ranks made the statement that gays should be crucified, Wahlberg was accused of condoning the comments by his silence. Marky Mark was suddenly surrounded by charges of brutality, homophobia and racial hatred. His second album, "You Gotta Believe", had not been faring well and, after the charges surfaced, it plummeted from the charts. Adding to the hoopla, Wahlberg was brought to court for allegedly assaulting a security guard. He was ordered to make amends by appearing in a series of anti-bias advertisements. Humbled and humiliated by his fall from grace in the music world, Wahlberg decided to pursue another angle, acting. He dropped the "Marky Mark" moniker and became known simply as Mark Wahlberg. His first big screen role came in Penny Marshall's Renaissance Man (1994). Despite the name change, many people snickered at the idea of the has-been rapper thinking he could make it as an actor. From the get-go, he was proving them wrong. In Renaissance Man (1994), he gave an utterly charming performance as a simple but sincere army recruit. What naysayers remained found it increasingly difficult to write Mark Wahlberg off as he delivered one fine performance after another. He blew them away in the controversial The Basketball Diaries (1995) and chilled them in Fear (1996) as every father's worst nightmare. Wahlberg hit a high point in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights (1997), in which he metamorphosed from shy young "Eddie Adams" into egomaniac porn star "Dirk Diggler". Critics and audiences were impressed with the young actor's range and abilities, not to mention certain other attributes. It seems as though Mark Wahlberg has finally put bad boy "Marky Mark" behind him. While some controversy remains (Wahlberg denies ever having been a racist), he is now taken much more seriously than he ever was before. He is one of the few teen pop sensations to survive through it and come out on top.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Julianna_Peterson@yahoo.com
Spouse
Rhea Durham (1 August 2009 - present) 4 children
Trade Mark
Boston accent
Often plays tough, no-nonsense characters
Trivia
Younger brother of Arthur Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg and Robert Wahlberg.
Named one of "People" magazines 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [May 1992]
His older siblings are: Arthur Wahlberg, James, Debbie, Michelle, Paul, Tracey,Robert Wahlberg and Donnie Wahlberg. Robert, Donnie and Mark are from their mother's third marriage with Donald Wahlberg. Half Siblings from his dad's side of the family Scott Wahlberg, Buddy Wahlberg and Donna Wahlberg.
Was originally cast as Linus Caldwell in Ocean's Eleven (2001) but dropped out.
December 2001 - Bought a 5 million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills, and moved his mother in.
His music group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, debuted on "The Arsenio Hall Show" (1989) in the late 1980s.
[September 2, 2003] His first child with Rhea Durham, a girl named Ella Rae was born at 4.am at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The baby weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces.
He said in one of the featurettes in The Italian Job (2003) DVD that he thought about doing the movie because it was going to be his third remake in a row (if you don't count Rock Star (2001)) after The Truth About Charlie (2002) and Planet of the Apes (2001).
Is of Swedish, Irish, German and French Canadian descent.
Narrated the documentary Juvies (2004) along with The Italian Job (2003) co-star Mos Def (Mos Def supplied poetry).
His older sister Debbie passed away on September 2nd, 2003, leaving behind a teenage son. She died the same day Mark's first child Ella Rae was born.
Has a tattoo of Bob Marley on his left shoulder.
Is very close to his mother.
Older brother, Donnie Wahlberg, was a member of the boy group New Kids on the Block.
Mark and Rhea Durham, welcomed their second baby and first son, Michael Wahlberg, on March 21, 2006.
Has a summer home in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Turned down the role of "Hero" in Feast (2005).
Turned down the lead role of "Jake Roenick" in Assault on Precinct 13 (2005).
Martin Scorsese directed Wahlberg to his very first Academy Award nomination as "Sgt. Sean Dignam" in The Departed (2006). Wahlberg has said that it's one of the roles he is most proud of.
Friends with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Considers The Truth About Charlie (2002) his worst film.
He and some friends were actually booked to fly on one of the planes that crashed in to the twin towers on September 11, 2001. Originally planning on flying from Boston to Los Angeles but at the last minute they decided to charter a plane to Toronto, Canada for a film festival and then from there to Los Angeles. A near brush with death that he still dreams about today. "We certainly would have tried to do something to fight. I've had probably over 50 dreams about it."
Ranked #65 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
His father Donald E. Wahlberg, a veteran of the Korean War, died on 14 February 2008.
As of 2008, he earns a reported $12-15 million per film plus a percentage of the back end profits.
While performing as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch he often wore nothing but underpants on stage. Calvin Klein consequently asked him to model for Klein's underwear line.
Was originally a member of New Kids on the Block, but left the band before they had their big break.
Through being a distant relative of Madonna, he is also one of Céline Dion.
Had to spent about 60 days in the House of Correction in Massachusetts when he was a teenager.
Was a drug dealer as a young teenager.
His mother's maiden name is Alma McPeck.
Was born in St. Margarets's hospital in Boston.
Dropped out of school when he was 13.
Rhea Durham, gave birth to their third child, a boy named Brendan Joseph Wahlberg, on September 16, 2008. He weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz.
Has stated his performance as Max Payne in Max Payne (2008) as his favorite role.
Has stated that he struggled with weight gain his whole life.
Was briefly sent to prison for two 1988 incidents in which he attacked, beat, and yelled ethnic slurs at two Vietnamese men in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Both incidents were unprovoked by the victims, and in the second attack, Wahlberg beat and permanently blinded in one eye a man who was trying to help him escape from the police after the first attack.
Ranked #1 on VH1's "Hottest Hotties of the 90's".
Was spoofed by Andy Samberg on "Saturday Night Live" (1975). After the first skit premiered Wahlberg jokingly acted as if he was offended when appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (2003) ("Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Episode #6.141" (2008)), but he eventually appeared in SNL ("Saturday Night Live: Josh Brolin/Adele (#34.5)" (2008)) going along with the joke.
He and his wife, Rhea Durham, welcomed their fourth child, Grace Margaret Wahlberg, on January 11, 2010.
Paid $8.25 million to purchase a 6.14-acre, vacant lot in Beverly Hills, California's Beverly Park neighborhood where he plans to custom-build a mansion on the property. [2009]
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 29, 2010.
Married long time partner, Rhea Durham, at a private Catholic ceremony in Beverly Hills, California [August 1, 2009].
On September 11th 2001, Wahlberg and several friends were due to take flight United 93 from his native Boston to Los Angeles. At the last moment, they decided to hire a charter flight to a film festival in Toronto. United Airlines flight 93 went on to crash in a Pennsylvania field as passengers fought to overpower four Al-Qaeda hijackers who intended to use the plane to attack Washington DC.
Personal Quotes
I've always looked at my career as an athlete would look at his. I won't play forever. Some don't know when to walk away, but the smart ones do.
[Reflecting on his delight for starring in Walt Disney's Invincible (2006)]: It's a movie my kids can see - my nieces and nephews. I haven't had that. None of my nieces and nephews have seen Boogie Nights (1997), thank God! I haven't made too many PG movies.
[His reaction to his Oscar-nomination for The Departed (2006)]: Any time someone says you have an opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese you jump at the chance.
Marty and I were constantly in this struggle. I had problems with Marty. He was "I'm Martin Scorsese... da-dee-da." He was pushing me in different ways. But it wasn't just Marty. The whole time I was in the character so I was mad at everybody. It was Leo, Matt and Jack. Fuck Jack too. We were able to laugh about it afterwards and we have a great relationship now and we're going to do other stuff in the future.
In my movies, I'm not trying to erase any old image of myself, really. And also I'm not trying to imitate anyone or follow in their footsteps, because I know, Burt Reynolds was just one of the people that told me this, I know how you can only last in this business if you got something special to offer, just by being yourself. Imitators don't last, and I'd like to last.
[Talking about Boogie Nights (1997)]: It was a showstopper, and it had a good screenplay, a real story. It also helped Burt Reynolds' career, and now I can more sympathize with that, now that I've been in the business a fairly long time, so I can see how doing a comeback that's popular and also critically liked is something rare and real special.
[on David Beckham] I'm not telling Beckham to take his family home. I'm just not sure why he came to America in the first place. Man, we don't want your soccer. There's no way Americans are going to buy the idea of 90 minutes of running around without much happening. Thanks for trying guys, but we'll stick to baseball and basketball.
[on George Michael being sent to prison for driving under the influence of drugs] I was 16 when I went to prison but he's been busted a couple of times. He should get a driver or go to Amsterdam where pot is legal. But my heart goes out anyone who goes to prison. I pray for him.
I like to talk to people. I've got one assistant, one Blackberry. That's my overhead. I don't text that much or email. I like to sit down face-to-face and have a conversation with you. I'm old-fashioned.
[on narrowly avoiding being on hijacked 9/11 flight United 93] If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn't have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, 'OK, we're going to land somewhere safely, don't worry.' We certainly would have tried to do something to fight. I've had probably over 50 dreams about it.
I did a lot of things that I regretted and I certainly paid for my mistakes. You have to go and ask for forgiveness and it wasn't until I really started doing good and doing right, by other people as well as myself, that I really started to feel that guilt go away. So I don't have a problem going to sleep at night.
As far as I'm concerned, there's no job more important on the planet than being a mom.
I don't want to let my guard down and feel too comfortable. If you become complacent, you start feeling entitled. I'm ready to go dig ditches if I have to. Whatever I gotta do to provide for my family. Whatever I gotta do to make sure that I do the best possible job at whatever wonderful opportunities I've been handed.
Salary
Planet of the Apes (2001) $8,000,000
The Truth About Charlie (2002) $10,000,000
"Entourage" (2004) $3,000,000/year (2007) as Executive Producer
24 November 1978, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Birth Name
Katherine Marie Heigl
Nickname
Katie
Height
5' 9" (1.75 m)
Mini Biography
Katherine Marie Heigl was born in Washington, DC, on November 24, 1978, to Nancy Heigl and Paul Heigl. A short time afterward, the family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut, where Katherine was to spend the majority of her childhood; the youngest member of her family, Katherine--or "Katie" as she is nicknamed--has two elder siblings, John and Meg. Tragically, her older brother Jason died in 1986 of brain injuries suffered in a car accident, after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck. When doctors determined he was brain-dead, the family made the difficult decision to donate his organs. Not only did this painful chapter give Katherine a greater perspective and appreciation for life, but it motivated her to use her celebrity to promote the importance of organ donation.
Katherine was first thrust into the limelight as a child model. An aunt, visiting the family in New Canaan, took a number of photographs of Katherine, then aged nine, in a series of poses to advertise a hair care product she had invented. Upon returning to New York, with permission from Katherine's parents, she sent the photos to a number of modeling agencies. Within a few weeks, Katherine had been signed to Wilhelmina, a renowned international modeling agency. Almost immediately, she made her debut in a magazine advertisement and soon followed this with an inaugural television appearance in a national commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal.
Following a number of commercials and modeling assignments for Sears and Lord & Taylor, she made her big-screen debut in That Night (1992), which starred Juliette Lewis and C. Thomas Howell. It was then that she realized that acting rather than modeling was her passion. In 1993, Katherine appeared in Steven Soderbergh's critically-acclaimed Depression-era drama, King of the Hill (1993), before landing her first leading role as a rebellious teenager, alongside Gérard Depardieu, in My Father the Hero (1994). During this time, Katherine continued to attend New Canaan High School, balancing her academic studies with work on films and modeling, which she undertook during holidays, vacations and weekends.
In 1995, she played "Sarah Ryback", the niece of Steven Seagal's character, in Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), which was her "debut" in the action film genre. Acting was now becoming a stronger focus for Katherine, although she still modeled extensively, appearing regularly in magazines such as "Seventeen". Television appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) soon followed, before she took the lead role in Disney's Wish Upon a Star (1996) (TV) in 1996. It was also during that year that Katherine's parents divorced and, following her graduation from high school in 1997, she moved with her mother into a four-bedroom house in Los Angeles' Malibu Canyon area. This enabled her to focus upon acting with the guidance and support of her mother, who now managed her career.
In 1997, Katherine portrayed "Taffy Entwhistle", Rita Hayworth's stand-in, in Stand-ins (1997) and was also cast as the beauteous "Princess Ilene" in the European production, Prince Valiant (1997). She then made her made-for-TV movie debut, co-starring with Peter Fonda in a re-working of the classic Shakespearean play, The Tempest (1998) (TV), updated with an American Civil War theme. In this film, she played "Miranda Prosper", a young woman torn between her love for both her father and a Union soldier. Bug Buster (1998) and Bride of Chucky (1998) represented a venture into the horror genre for Katherine. While both films could be described as rather tongue-in-cheek despite their gory emphases, Bride of Chucky (1998) was the better received, both critically and commercially.
In 1999, Katherine decided to branch out into series television when she accepted the role of the haughty, yet vulnerable, "Isabel Evans", on "Roswell" (1999), a show that blended teen angst with sci-fi drama. Though she had never planned to embark on a career in television, the role of Isabel, a teenager with a secret life, was an offer she found impossible to refuse. In the series, Isabel, her brother Max (Jason Behr) and their friend Michael (Brendan Fehr) are aliens passing as humans in Roswell, New Mexico, as they desperately try to hide the truth from government agencies, the people of Roswell and even their own adopted families. To publicize her role on the show, Katherine graced the covers of magazines such as "TV Guide", "Maxim" and "Teen" and was interviewed on "Later" (1994) and "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" (1999). Along with her mother Nancy, she also appeared in an episode of the Sci-Fi TV talk show, "Crossing Over with John Edward" (1999), during which she spoke with John Edward, a psychic medium, about her late brother, Jason. During the three years "Roswell" (1999) was in production, Katherine found time to work on several movies. 100 Girls (2000), an independent film released in 2001, is the story of a college freshman who meets the girl of his dreams in an elevator during a blackout, and spends the rest of the movie trying to find her again. Her cameo role is that of Arlene, the competitive tomboy. The second film, Valentine (2001), a horror film starring David Boreanaz and Denise Richards, appeared in U.S. theaters on February 2, 2001. In this movie, which is based upon the 1996 novel by Tom Savage, Katherine plays "Shelley", a medical student who meets a sudden demise.
In the spring of 2001, Katherine accepted a role in NBC's Critical Assembly (2003) (TV), a two-hour original television thriller. Katherine and Kerr Smith ("Dawson's Creek" (1998)) co-starred as brilliant and politically concerned college students who build a nuclear device to illustrate the need for a change in national priorities, but are betrayed by a fellow student when the bomb ends up in the hands of a terrorist. Unfortunately, the telefilm, directed by Eric Laneuville, written by Tom Vaughan, and based on the best-seller "The Seventh Power" by James Mills, was shelved when its storyline was deemed too close for comfort to the events of September 11, 2001. It was eventually broadcast in 2003. Since the cancellation of "Roswell" (1999) in the spring of 2002, Katherine has been busy with various projects, including an appearance on UPN's update of the classic television series, "The Twilight Zone" (2002). That episode, entitled "The Twilight Zone: Cradle of Darkness (#1.5)" (2002), aired on October 2, 2002, and featured Katherine in the role of a woman who goes back in time to stop one of the most notorious murders in history. In addition, she completed a movie, Descendant (2003), a psychological thriller inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher". She has also starred as "Romy" in ABC/Touchstone's two-hour telepic, Romy and Michele: In the Beginning (2005) (TV), a prequel to the 1997 feature, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997). During the summer of 2002, Katherine made a major decision in the direction of her career when she signed on for representation in all areas with the William Morris Agency, one of the biggest and most prestigious agencies in the entertainment industry. She is now being represented by Norman Aladjem at Paradigm Agency and being managed by Nancy Heigl and Stephanie Simon and Jason Newman at Untitled Entertainment.
Spouse
Josh Kelley (23 December 2007 - present) 2 children
Trade Mark
Deep husky voice
Trivia
Was with the Elite Modelling Agency.
Has two older brothers, Holt and John; and an older sister, Meg Heigl-Beltran. Brother Jason died from head injuries, suffered in a car accident, when she was very young.
Auditioned for all 3 female leads on "Roswell" (1999) before being cast as Isabel.
She is half Irish and half German.
1996: Graduated from New Canaan High School.
Beat out Alicia Silverstone for the lead role in My Father the Hero (1994).
Played the cello in High School.
Ranked #72 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002)
Her last name is pronounced "HI guhl."
Has played a character with the name of "Isabel" or "Isobel" three times. "Grey's Anatomy" (2005), "Roswell" (1999) and Wuthering Heights (2003) (TV).
Ranked as #55 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)
Cut & dyed her hair for season 3 of "Roswell" (1999).
June 2006: Engaged to musician Josh Kelley.
In Judd Apatow's film, The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005), the FHM "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement with Katherine on the cover is shown in close-up during a scene on the extended version DVD. Katherine plays the lead in Apatow's follow-up, Knocked Up (2007).
2006: Named #19 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement.
Ranked #14 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
2005: She was October on FHM magazine's 2005 pin-up calendar.
Followed through on plans to marry fiancé Josh Kelley, on December 23, 2007, in Utah where she has a ranch property, including a tribute to her late brother, Jason, at the ceremony [July 18, 2007].
Best friend of her "Grey's Anatomy" (2005) co-star T.R. Knight, who was a groomsman at her wedding.
Was named one of Entertainment Weekly's Top 25 Entertainers Of The Year (2007).
Is related to actress Amber Perkins.
Auditioned for the role of Felicity Porter in the TV series "Felicity" (1998), but lost out to Keri Russell. She also auditioned for the roles of Sydney Bristow and Lauren Reed on "Alias" (2001), but lost out to Jennifer Garner and Melissa George, respectively.
Voted as #1 in 2008's Askmen.com "Top 99 sexiest women in the world" poll. (2008).
Admits that one of her worst vices is being a smoker.
Was engaged to co-actor Jason Behr during their time together on the set of "Roswell" (1999).
Sister-in-law of Charles Kelley.
Lives in Los Angeles, California.
Fan of "Glee" (2009).
Has two adopted daughters with husband Josh Kelley - Nancy Leigh Kelley (b.November 23, 2008) and Adalaide Marie Hope Kelley (b.April 2012).
Her publicist is Jill Fritzo.
Daughter of Nancy Heigl and Paul Heigl.
Personal Quotes
[on her role in My Father the Hero (1994)] There are still men who come up to me today and say, "You were really hot in that film!" I was 14, for God's sake!
One of the most interesting things about that show ["Roswell" (1999)] for me was that because Isabel was an alien, I got to do many things, so that was creatively satisfying. I think anyone's fear of getting involved in a show that could run for several years is that you'll be playing only one character for that long; that can get stale for an actor, so on "Roswell" I really lucked out.
["Razor" Magazine interview] I'm grateful people think I'm beautiful or think I'm sexy, and I suppose it's better than the alternative, but I do try to fight it a bit so it's not all people see me as. And I'd love to one day be in a position where I could choose a role to showcase my creativity versus just my bra size.
I love changing my look. I would love, love, love to cut all my hair off into a really short, punky haircut.
My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell of winning tonight. [While accepting the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens on "Grey's Anatomy" (2005), at The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards (2007) (TV).] [16 September 2007]
[on Knocked Up (2007)] A little sexist. It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. It exaggerated the characters, and I had a hard time with it, on some days. I'm playing such a bitch; why is she being such a killjoy? Why is this how you're portraying women? Ninety-eight percent of the time it was an amazing experience, but it was hard for me to love the movie.
I'd like to start talking children seriously in the next year [2009], but [my husband] Josh feels more like two years, so we'll probably do a year and a half. I'm excited about having a big family. I'm talking five or six.
(On Hollywood stereotyping) You're the blonde. Or the cheerleader. Or the girlfriend. It would have been really easy to fall back on the blonde and the bra size and just do that for the rest of my career.
My mother says she thinks I wouldn't have appreciated success the same way if it had come faster or more easily. Now it's a much bigger reward.
People who know me well know that I have an opinion about pretty much everything.
If I wasn't in this industry, I wouldn't work out. But I have hips and a butt and everything that goes along with that, including cellulite! So I do the best I can.
I pride myself on being kind. But that's not to say there aren't moments when I'm a diva. Everybody has bad moments.
[on Gerard Butler] He's a man's man, and that's what makes him so appealing. We all talk about how we're missing the Cary Grants and those movie stars of old that were just these sexy, charismatic men, and I really feel like Gerry is filling that missing thing right now.
If I spread myself too thin, I'm not a good actor, I'm not a good mother, and I'm just really high-strung - and everybody hates me.
My husband and I feel strongly about manners. When people are impressed by our daughter's pleases and thank yous, we feel like we've won the Parents of the Year Award!
Salary
27 Dresses (2008) $6,000,000
The Ugly Truth (2009) $6,000,000
Killers (2010) $12,000,000
Life as We Know It (2010) $12,000,000
One for the Money (2012) $15,000,000 (includes producing fee)
Where Are They Now
(April 2007) Los Angeles, California
3 December 1985, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Birth Name
Amanda Michelle Seyfried
Height
5' 3½" (1.61 m)
Mini Biography
Amanda Seyfried grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and began modeling when she was 11-years-old. She acted in high school productions as well as taking singing lessons, and landed a recurring role in the long-running US soap, "As the World Turns" (1956), when she was just age 15.
More soap work followed as she completed her schooling and she had already secured a place at Fordham University when she was offered a role in the Tina Fey-penned teen hit, Mean Girls (2004). She deferred the university place to complete the film.
More TV work followed, raising her profile across America, while her appearances in Mamma Mia! (2008) and Red Riding Hood (2011) helped establish her international fame.
Trade Mark
Long blond hair and very fair skin
Big green eyes
Trivia
Appeared on the cover of three Francine Pascal books.
Grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Put attending college on hold (it was to be Fordham University in New York) to film Mean Girls (2004).
Was considered for the roles of Regina and Cady in Mean Girls (2004). These roles eventually went to Rachel McAdams and Lindsay Lohan, respectively.
She began modeling at age 11.
Good friends with American Gun (2005) co-star Nikki Reed.
Correct pronunciation of her last name is "Sigh-Frid.".
In May 2008, she dressed up as "Alice" of "Alice in Wonderland" for a seven-page spread for Vogue Italia. That same month, she was also featured in the promotional poster for her movie musical Mamma Mia! (2008).
Originally auditioned for the title role on "Veronica Mars" (2004) but lost the part to Kristen Bell. Instead of playing "Veronica", she was offered the role of "Lilly", Veronica's dead best friend. She was so popular in this role, she was brought back more often than ever expected.
As a child model, she initially signed with Image International Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania before working under Bethlehem's Pro Model Agency and eventually with Wilhelmina agency in New York.
Graduated from William Allen High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2003.
Missed 70 school days during her senior year in high school due to her acting commitments.
If she were not into acting, she would have liked to study meteorology. She admits being fascinated by weather.
Trained in classical opera for two years and studied under a Broadway voice coach for almost five years.
While living in Allentown, Pennsylvania, got to see musicals in Manhattan such as Cats and Les Miserables, which is her all-time favorite musical.
Her special skills and interest include dancing, singing, painting and tennis.
Beat several actresses for the role of "Sophie" in the film Mamma Mia! (2008). One of the actresses was fellow co-star Rachel McAdams who acted alongside Seyfried in the film Mean Girls (2004). In this film, McAdams beat Seyfried for the role of "Regina George".
Auditioned for the lead role of "Kelli" for the horror remake Black Christmas (2006), but lost out to Katie Cassidy.
Was in a relationship with Dominic Cooper, having met on the set of Mamma Mia! (2008) (October 2007-May 2010).
Lost the part of "Babydoll" in Sucker Punch (2011) because she was committed to her HBO show "Big Love" (2006).
One of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the World (2009 and 2010).
Wanted to be an actress at age 10 after watching Romeo + Juliet (1996) with her father.
Former waitress.
Has an Australian shepherd dog named Finn.
Of German heritage.
Was in consideration for the role of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (2013), but Carey Mulligan was cast instead.
Was in a relationship with Ryan Phillippe (October 2010-May 2011).
Her part in Nine Lives (2005) was written specifically for her.
One of the songs on the Dear John (2010/I) soundtrack was written by her.
Was voted as one of the most beautiful people in 2009 by People Magazine.
Ranked #2 in Who Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" 2010.
Voted #59 on FHM Australia "Sexiest Women of 2011".
Ranked #1 on People's "25 Beauties (and Hotties) at 25" list in 2011.
Ranked #92 in the 2011 Askmen list of the "Most Desirable" women.
Ranked #3 in Glamour Magazine's "50 Most Glamorous Women of 2010" and was also named "The Most Down-To-Earth".
Ranked #17 in Glamour Magazine's "30 Hottest and Sexiest Stars Under 30" (2010).
Ranked #4 in People Magazine's Most Beautiful 2009 - Beautiful at Every Age.
Seyfried was ranked as having on of the "Most Beautiful Famous Faces" for 6 consecutive years on the list of "The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World". She was ranked #32 in 2005, #23 in 2006, #46 in 2007, #65 in 2008, #5 in 2009, and #9 in 2010.
Her father, Jack is a pharmacist, while her mother, Ann, is an occupational therapist.
Voted #41 on Ask men's top 99 'most desirable' women of 2012 list.
Named as having the "Sexiest lips" by Victoria's Secret What Is Sexy list (2012).
Personal Quotes
I love low-rise, boot-cut, perfect fitting jeans.
I collect jeans. I don't care how expensive they are.
Jeans are just so sexy, there's something about them that turns me on, you know?
[on plans for the future] If I came out with a club hit, if I were singing duets with Jesse McCartney, I think people would get the wrong idea. I'm not interested in fashion design. I'm an actress, and that's all I want to focus on. For me, that's just more fulfilling.
[About Mamma Mia! (2008)) I had never seen the stage show. When I first heard about the audition, I was like, "Damn, I'm not Greek!" I thought it was about this big Greek family.
I do feel like I've grown up. Living by yourself in two cities, having a relationship, the Hollywood stuff. It forces you to deal with things as an adult.
I just love to act and be on the set. I want to make acting my life and get really good roles.
I'm not really into clubbing, I like to go to parties after events, and those do end up at clubs or bars. But in my free time I go grocery shopping or to the gym, or I talk on the phone.
At 11, I had a crush on Leonardo DiCaprio. Actually, it was not a crush. It was an obsession! I was also obsessed with Richard Dean Anderson, from "MacGyver" (1985) and "Indiana Jones".
I have jeans with holes in them and I have nice jeans. I have casual and I have dressy jeans. I've got all kinds.
(On playing the lead role in Mamma Mia! (2008)) It doesn't really get better than this. I'm afraid I'm going to just have to beg Meryl to do another movie with me. She's so in touch with herself. I know that comes with age, but I'm really excited to figure out who I am.
I've auditioned for roles that involved voice, but I don't like it. I feel like, I can't do this in front of you. It seems so separate - I don't share it with a lot of people. And I'm not into public performances.
[about being in a polygamous marriage] I don't think I could share, no. I don't think I would trust. I want to be the most important thing in my husband's life. It's just weird. It's not natural.
It's really easy to avoid the tabloids. You just live your life and don't hang out with famous people who are in the tabloids. Don't do anything controversial and be a normal person. Have friends. And get a job and keep working.
People do judge you, and there are stupid rivalries. You have to wear the right things, because there are all these girls my age competing for the same roles. They're judging me and I'm judging them. I try not to be that way, but sometimes I am.
No matter what's happening in my life, I can always get lost in the romances of my characters.
Sex scenes are great. A lot of my co-stars have been sexy guys my age, and so, why not? I'm not going to pretend it's not fun. Justin (Justin Timberlake) was great - he had come from doing Friends with Benefits (2011), where he basically had sex every day at work - and so it was easy for both of us. We just kind of got it on, and then were like 'that was good'.
(About her modeling career) I was naturally skinny and had braces, so I wasn't a cute model. I never felt pretty but it was fun, and I got a cool pay check to buy sweets with.
[on her developing interest in taxidermy] I love animals and they're very easy to look after when they're dead. I recently decided I was going to start building a parliament of owls.
Where Are They Now
(October 2008) in South Carolina filming Dear John (2010/I).
(October 2010) In California filming In Time (2011).
31 May 1976, Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland
Birth Name
Colin James Farrell
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Mini Biography
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Colin Farrell began turning heads in Hollywood when he starred in Joel Schumacher's Tigerland (2000), the story of American soldiers taken to the backwoods of Louisiana in 1971 to play war games in preparation for their first tour of duty in Vietnam. He garnered a Best Actor Award from the Boston Society of Film Critics for his portrayal of Bozz, a roughneck Texan recruit who helps his boot-camp buddies avoid Vietnam combat. Farrell also starred alongside Kevin Spacey in Thaddeus O'Sullivan's Dublin gangster movie Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000). It was Spacey who suggested him for the part after catching Farrell's riveting performance in the play "In a Little World of Our Own" at the Donmar Warehouse in London.
Born on May 31, 1976, Farrell studied acting at the Gaiety School of Drama in Dublin and had established himself as a recognizable talent back home with a starring role in the BBC series "Ballykissangel" (1996) and Deirdre Purcell's miniseries Falling for a Dancer (1998) (TV), in addition to a featured role in Tim Roth's directorial debut, The War Zone (1999). After "Tigerland", Farrell took on the role of Jesse James in American Outlaws (2001). Farrell then had a starring role in Phone Booth (2002), reuniting him with director Schumacher. He also co-starred with Bruce Willis in Hart's War (2002), which was shot on location in Prague, Czech Republic. Along the way Farrell has managed to work with legendary directors such as Steven Spielberg in Minority Report (2002). All this has happened for Colin by the age of 25, making him one of Hollywood's A-list young actors.
Mini Biography
Colin Farrell is one of Ireland's best rising stars in Hollywood and abroad today. His film presence has been filled with memorable roles that range from an inwardly tortured hit man, to an adventurous explorer, a determined-but-failing writer, and the greatest military leader in history.
Farrell was born on May 31, 1976 in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland. His father and uncle were both professional athletes, and for a while, it looked like Farrell would follow in their footsteps. Farrell auditioned for a part in the Irish Boy Band, Boyzone, but it didn't work out. After dropping out of The Gaiety School of Acting, Farrell was cast in "Ballykissangel" (1996), a BBC television drama. "Ballykissangel" was not his first role on screen. Farrell had previously been in The War Zone (1999), directed by Tim Roth and had appeared in the independent film Drinking Crude (1997). Farrell was soon to move on to bigger things.
Exchanging his usually thick Dublin accent for a light Texas drawl, Farrell acted in the gritty Tigerland (2000), directed by Joel Schumacher. Starring Farrell amongst a number of other budding young actors, the film portrays a group of new recruits being trained for the war in Vietnam. Farrell played the arrogant soldier Boz, drafted into the army and completely spiteful of authority. The film was praised by critics, but did not make much money at the box office. It was Farrell's first big role on film, and certainly not his last.
Farrell followed up with American Outlaws (2001), where he played the notorious outlaw Jesse James with Scott Caan, son of legendary actor James Caan, in the role of Cole Younger. The film was a box office flop and failure with the critics. Immediately, Farrell returned to the war drama film that had made him famous. Co-starring in the war film Hart's War (2002) opposite Bruce Willis, Farrell played the young officer captured by the enemy. The film was another failure.
Farrell struck gold when he was cast in the Steven Spielberg film Minority Report (2002) that same year. Set in a futuristic time period, Farrell played the character of Danny Witwer, a young member of the Justice Department who is sent after Tom Cruise's character. The film was a smash hit, and praised by critics. Farrell continued this success when he reunited with Joel Schumacher on the successful thriller Phone Booth (2002). Farrell played the role of the victim who is harassed by an unseen killer (Kiefer Sutherland) and is made to reveal his sins to the public.
2003 was a big year for Farrell. He starred in the crime thriller The Recruit (2003) as a young CIA man mentored by an older CIA veteran (Al Pacino). Pacino later stated that Farrell was the best actor of his generation. Farrell certainly continued to be busy that year with Daredevil (2003), which actually allowed him to keep his thick Irish accent. The film was another success for Farrell, as was the crime film S.W.A.T. (2003) where Farrell starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J. Farrell also acted in the Irish black comedy film Intermission (2003) and appeared another Irish film Veronica Guerin (2003) which reunited him with Joel Schumacher once again. The following year, Farrell acted in what is his most infamous film role yet: the title role in the mighty Oliver Stone film epic Alexander (2004), which is a character study of Alexander the Great as he travels across new worlds and conquers all the known world before him. Farrell donned a blond wig and retained his Irish accent, and gave a fine performance as Alexander. However, both he and the film were criticized. Despite being one of the highest grossing films internationally and doing a good job at the DVD sales, Farrell did not come out of the experience without a few hurts.
Farrell attempted to rebound with his historical film The New World (2005). Reuniting with "Alexander" star Christopher Plummer, and also acting with Christian Bale, Farrell played the character of the brave explorer John Smith, who would make first contacts with the Native peoples. The film did not do well at the box office, though critics praised the film's stunning appearance and cinematography. Farrell returned to act in Michael Mann's film Miami Vice (2006) alongside Jamie Foxx. The film was a film adaptation of the famous television series, and did reasonably well at the box office. Farrell also acted in Ask the Dust (2006) with Salma Hayek and Donald Sutherland, though the film did not receive much distribution. The next year, Farrell acted alongside Ewan McGregor in the Woody Allen film Cassandra's Dream (2007) which received mixed reviews from critics.
Farrell followed up with the hilarious black comedy In Bruges (2008). Written and directed by Irish theatre director Martin McDonagh, the film stars Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hit men whose latest assignment went wrong, leaving them to hide out in Bruges, Belgium. The film has been one of Farrell's most praised work, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe. As well as In Bruges (2008), Farrell acted alongside Edward Norton in the crime film Pride and Glory (2008) which was not as successful as the former film.
As well as working with charity, and speaking at the Special Olympics World Games in 2007, he has donated his salary for Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) to Heath Ledger's little daughter (who was left nothing in a will that had not been updated in time). Ledger had originally been cast in the film and was replaced by Farrell, Johnny Depp, and Jude Law. The film was critical and financial success, and Farrell also played a small role in Crazy Heart (2009) which had the Dubliner playing a country singer. Farrell even sang a few songs for the film's soundtrack.
As well as those small roles, Farrell took the lead role in the war film Triage (2009). Farrell incredibly lost forty-four pounds to play the role of a war photographer who must come to terms with what he has experienced in Kurdistan. While the film was finely made, with excellent performances from all involved, the film has received almost no distribution. Farrell's other leading role that year was in Neil Jordan's Irish film Ondine (2009), which had Farrell playing an imaginative fisherman who thinks he has caught a mermaid in his net.
Since the mid-2000's, Farrell has cleaned up his act, and far from being a Hollywood hell raiser and party animal, Farrell has shown himself to be a respectable and very talented actor.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Bob Stage
Spouse
Amelia Warner (17 July 2001 - November 2001) (divorced)
Trade Mark
Violent yet moral characters that are often pragmatic and observant
Trivia
Son of Irish football player, Eamon Farrell.
Dropped out of the Gaiety Drama School in Dublin and a few months later auditioned for a part in "Ballykissangel" (1996) and was successful.
The youngest of the four children, he has one brother Eamonn Farrell and two sisters: Catherine Farrell and Claudine Farrell.
His sister Claudine Farrell is also his personal assistant.
Ranked #98 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. It is his first appearance on the list.
Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2003.
His mother, Rita, forced him to take dancing lessons once his brother, Emmon Farrell Jr., started them. Emmon Jr. also got him into acting by attending an acting school and later recommending it to Colin.
Voted 6th in 'The World's Sexiest Man of 2003' in Company magazine.
His girlfriend, model Kim Bordenave, gave birth to a 7lb. 9oz. baby boy called James Padraig. He was born on Friday September 12th, 2003 in a Los Angeles hospital.
He has suffered from chronic insomnia since he was 12 years old.
One of his favourites books is "When Nietzsche wept" by Irvin D. Yalom.
Former son-in-law of actress Annette Ekblom and Alun Lewis.
He says that growing up, one of his childhood idols was Al Pacino. He got the chance to work opposite his hero in The Recruit (2003) (an experience he described as "scary as hell to work opposite a legend," even though he says Pacino was one of the kindest men he'd ever met and says they still hang out together).
On his left ring finger, above the knuckle he has the name "Millie" tattooed. "Millie" was a nickname for his first wife, Amelia Warner.
He has two tattoos on his left forearm. The first one is the words "Carpe Diem" (Latin for "Seize the day"). Beside this tattoo there is a second tattoo, which is a black cross.
Auditioned to become a member of the Irish boyband, Boyzone, but was turned down.
Daredevil (2003) marks the first time he has been able to use his own Irish accent in an American movie.
His idol Al Pacino called him "the best actor of his generation."
Played soccer during his youth.
Treated for exhaustion and dependency on prescription medication in December 2005. The medication was prescribed to the actor after a back injury, publicist Danica Smith said in a written statement, which revealed Farrell had checked himself into an undisclosed treatment center. "No other comments (are) to be made at this time," the statement said.
Was originally considered for the role of Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the 2003 film adaptation of the Daredevil (2003) comic while Ben Affleck, who ultimately played Murdock, was originally considered for the part of Bullseye (Farrell's character).
His acting idols and influences are Al Pacino, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, James Caan, and Marlon Brando.
Was accompanied by Britney Spears to the S.W.A.T. (2003) US- premiere.
Was a line dancing instructor in a nightclub in Limerick called Docs (now known as Trinity Rooms).
Resides in Dublin and Los Angeles.
Has twice taken roles meant for Heath Ledger. One of the roles was Alexander (2004), the second role was The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009). Farrell, along with Jude Law and Johnny Depp, will play a physically altered form of Ledger's character as he travels through different worlds.
His son James has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.
Considered for the part of James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).
When he and his In Bruges (2008) co-star Brendan Gleeson both got nominated for Golden Globes, he bet Brendan twenty dollars that he [Colin] would win if any of them won at all. Farrell indeed won the Golden Globe.
He and Alicja Bachleda, became the parents of a son, named Henry Tadeusz, on October 7, 2009 in Los Angeles.
Cedric Gauthier wrote song "I wanna be Colin Farrell".
Split with Alicja Bachleda [October 15, 2010].
Quit smoking on his 34th birthday (May 31, 2010). He mentioned that he smoked an entire pack of cigarettes that day, paying close attention to every puff he took, and even wrote a goodbye letter to cigarettes. He stubbed out his last cigarette at 11:55pm that night and has been smoke-free ever since.
Good friends with Jeremy Renner.
Personal Quotes
Being Irish is very much a part of who I am. I take it everywhere with me.
(On people who drink tequila) "I tell them, 'When you're at home puking your guts out, I'll be here drinking my Amstel Light.'"
"I couldn't care less about who sees my bits ... My friends asked how I could do scenes like that and not get excited, but it wasn't like that. My bits looked the size of a cashew nut!" (on appearing nude in Tigerland (2000)).
[on physical training for film roles] "I find it the most tedious waste of life. It's so boring. I'd prefer to be sitting in a pub with a few strangers talkin' shit than looking at meself in the mirror runnin' on the treadmill."
It all goes back to [Joel Schumacher]. I wouldn't have done Phone Booth (2002) without him. I wouldn't be doing Hart's War (2002). I probably wouldn't have done American Outlaws (2001) if he hadn't picked me out of obscurity. I've worked, but not at the level or people I'm working with now if he hadn't taken a chance on an Irish kid playing a Texan.
I'm in no hurry to get anywhere. I don't have any plans. I don't have a map. If you did in this business, you'd destroy yourself.
On Hollywood: "I'm not seduced by it all. I swear to God. I'm easily pleased, yeah. Don't get me wrong, I'll indulge in it. I'll be in Los Angeles for two weeks and I'll have a laugh, get battered and have a buzz, but at the end of the day, I'll go home. It's just me earning a few more stories to tell everyone at home and all."
It kind of went downhill, I was smoking a bit of reef. You know, you roll your first joint, drink your first beer and discover the girls and, well, that was it. I loved football, but I couldn't make the training any more" - on his football aspirations as a youth.
I do have the ability to explore life and to be over the moon at the smallest thing - a few pints and a craic in the pub and I'm in heaven. But I have a melancholy side to me as well. Acting allows me to feel things, it kind of buys me human experience. And I don't mean this as acting as higher cause, because it's not, but it does kind of have a higher awareness emotionally.
I work my arse off. I'm never late, ask anyone. I'm only 27. I don't feel like a big star. I feel neither the pressure nor the grandeur of my situation, you know. I think I'm still trying to find my feet as an actor. And I know it ain't brain surgery, but it confuses me and it comes between me and my sleep a lot.
I'm just a true Irish boy at heart. I'm just myself, I stick by my guns and I treat people the way I think they should be treated, regardless of their status. And I just have a laugh.
(On the girl that will interest him) "The usual obvious bullshit. Sense of humour, a bit of danger, good fun. A good heart is a really sexy thing. All women have the potential to be sexy and it's nothing to do with the dress someone wears or the make-up they put on their face, it's the aged-old cliché saying: 'What comes from inside'. God, I've met gorgeous women who I'd fancy and give one to, but at the end of the day they're not particularly sexy because they haven't got much going inside and they are too concerned with themselves. And then I've met women who wouldn't be as nearly as attractive and, because of the sense of fun they have and their joi de vivre, as they say, they'd be much sexier and you'd fall for them in a nanosecond."
I get no kicks from going to the gym. It doesn't do it for me. Never has. Some people enjoy working out. But that's never done it for me. In the past, I'd breathe in heavily between takes. I sucked it in and did a take. That way it doesn't hurt the beer consumption at all.
Anything I am and anything I hope to be, I have my mom to thank. Family Circle, 4-18-06.
I think I was 8 or 9 when I had a f*cking mad thing for Marilyn Monroe. I used to leave Smarties, the Irish equivalent of M&M's, under my pillow with a little note saying, 'I know you're dead, but these are very f*cking tasty, and you should come have a few. I won't tell anyone.'
[on "In Bruges"] - When I read it, I said to Martin McDonagh, the director, 'I don't think you should hire me'. I said I come with a certain amount of baggage that has been well earned through the years and this piece is so pure, I would love the audience to not have too much of a relationship with any of the actors. Thankfully, he didn't listen to me.
[on "Miami Vice"] - I didn't like it so much. I thought it was style over substance and I accept a good bit of the responsibility. I think we missed an opportunity. It was never going to be "Lethal Weapon," but I think we missed an opportunity to have a friendship that also had some elements of fun.
The ins and outs of what I've been through, even when it comes to rehab, is not a sad story. None of it is a sad story. I had a great time and some amazing memories and lots of good stuff that I've forgotten. I went from being in "Ballykissangel" (1996) to starring opposite Bruce Willis in Hart's War (2002) in the space of two years.
Fame was something that seemed incredibly exotic. It represented the ultimate kind of status. But it eventually became one of those 'be careful what you wish for' things.
I'd like to make big films and small films, mainly because I'm a massive fan of film. The idea of doing an Indiana Jones, or even an Inception (2010) - I love the grandiosity, how sweepingly entertaining films can be. And I think there's a place for films that pry more into the human condition.
Hardship tends to unify.
My Dublin wasn't the Dublin of sing-songs, traditional music, sense of history and place and community. It was kind of more nouveau-riche, competition with the neighbours, a bit more privileged than the Dublin of lore.
[on his vampire character in Fright Night (2011)] He is an incredible observer of human behavior. Human beings are simultaneously a point of fascination and a point of disgust. He is sick of them. They are weak, they are flawed, they feel too much. But he needs them to survive.
Salary
American Outlaws (2001) $2,000,000
Hart's War (2002) $2,500,000
Minority Report (2002) $2,500,000
The Recruit (2003) $5,000,000
S.W.A.T. (2003) $8,000,000
Alexander (2004) $10,000,000
Miami Vice (2006) $10,000,000
Where Are They Now
(September 2003) Currently filming Oliver Stone's movie Alexander (2004) in Morocco.
(May 2004) Currently filming Ask the Dust (2006) in Cape Town, South Africa.
(September 2004) Filming The New World (2005) in Williamsburg, Virginia.
(February 2005) In Miami filming Miami Vice (2006).
(November 2005) He visited Argentina for two days.
(July 2008) Currently filming Ondine (2009) in S.W. Ireland.
(2000) Release of the biography, "Colin Farrell: Living Dangerously" by Jane Kelly.
(July 2010) Currently filming Fright Night (2011).
(July 2010) Currently filming Horrible Bosses (2011).
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