DIANE KRUGER

Date of Birth
15 July 1976, Algermissen, Lower Saxony, Germany

Birth Name
Diane Heidkrüger

Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography
Diane Kruger was born Diane Heidkrüger in Algermissen, near Hildesheim, Germany. She studied ballet with the Royal Ballet in London before an injury ended her career. She returned to Germany and became a top fashion model. She later pursued acting and relocated to Paris at the suggestion of filmmaker Luc Besson (The Fifth Element (1997)). She married French actor Guillaume Canet (The Beach (2000/I)) in 2001.

Spouse
Guillaume Canet (1 September 2001 - 2006) (divorced)

Trivia
Was a finalist in Elite's 1992 Look Of The Year competition at age 15.

Had to gain 15 lbs for Troy (2004) because director Wolfgang Petersen wanted her to appear rounder. She has since lost the weight.

She has a younger brother, Stefan.

Modeled under her birth name, Diane Heidkrüger, in the mid to late-1990s.

Originally a ballet dancer, but quit dancing due to an injury at the age of 18.

German citizen.

Trained at the Cours Florent and won the Classe Libre award for best actor in her year.

People magazine included Diane in its annual "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" issue in 2004.

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her performance in the film Troy (2004), however, she failed to receive a nomination.

Named #50 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.

Started her dancing career in the Royal Ballet in London.

Is an active supporter of UNICEF.

Learned Latin in school for eight years.

She is fluent in English, French and German.

Learned Russian for The Tiger Brigades (2006).

Lived three weeks in a mental hospital to shoot Frankie (2005). She is the only actress in that film, all patients are real.

She always dubs herself in three languages

First German to become host (maitresse de cérèmonie) at the Cannes Film Festival (2007).

Daughter of Maria-Theresia, a bank employee, and Hans-Heinrich, a printer. They're divorced.

Is in a relationship with Joshua Jackson (2008 - present).

Member of the jury at the 58th Berlin Film Festival in 2008.

Is very good friends with ex-husband Guillaume Canet.

Attended a Catholic school in a small German town.

Has one younger brother, Stefan.

Ranked #83 "most desirable woman" in the 2010 Ask Men list of Most Desirable Women.

Ranked #88 in the 2009 Maxim list of Hot 100 Women.

Named as the "Sexiest international import" by Victoria's Secret What Is Sexy list (2012).


Personal Quotes
With Wolfgang Petersen, we were always the only two ready at time and the first on the set during the filming of Troy (2004). The German rigour without a doubt.

It was something strange for me, to kiss Orlando. I was so embarassed! It is not as fun as people think to shoot love scenes. You feel vulnerable, and there are about 100 people looking at you.

I'm a little bit worried about this sudden success. I am quite independent and I'm afraid that this privilege could escape from me.

"Her beauty didn't do her any good and she couldn't use it in any positive way or manipulative way." - on Helen of Troy.

Sometimes it takes courage and experience to allow yourself to actually go there, and it's the most liberating thing to let go. I do think that's why I love acting - you're right, it's being someone that you're not. And sometimes you're really scared of it, and then once you let yourself go there, it's the best thing ever.

[on her quitting modeling] I thought "fuck everyone" and moved back to Paris, called my agent and said I didn't want to model any more, which they couldn't believe because I was 22 and doing very well. But I left it and went to drama school, and I'm so happy I did.


Salary
Inglourious Basterds (2009) €300,000
Lily Sometimes (2010) 500,000 euros
Special Forces (2011) €300,000
Un plan parfait (2012) €900,000

Where Are They Now
(July 2007) Filming the sequel to National Treasure (2004) with Nicolas Cage.

(September 2008) Filming Inglourious Basterds (2009) with Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino in Germany and currently living in New York City.