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Kathryn Bailey Beckinsale[1] (born 26 July 1973) is an English actress, known for her roles in the films Pearl Harbor (2001), Underworld (2003) and Van Helsing (2004).

Biography

Born in London, Beckinsale was the daughter of actor Richard Beckinsale, who died from a heart attack in 1979, and actress Judy Loe . She has a paternal half-sister, Samantha, who is also an actress. Beckinsale’s paternal great-grandfather was Burmese, and Beckinsale has said that she was “very oriental-looking” as a child.[2]

Beckinsale attended the private Godolphin and Latymer School, an all-girls independent school in London.[3] In her teens, Beckinsale twice won the W. H. Smith Young Writers’ competition — once for three short stories and once for three poems.[4] After a rebellious adolescence, including a period of anorexia and starting a smoking habit, she followed in the footsteps of her parents and began her acting career. Her first role was in One Against the Wind, a television film about World War II that was first aired in 1991. Having gained three language A levels, Beckinsale studied French and Russian literature at New College, Oxford, though she did not finish her degree.[4] She thought that having an academic background studying foreign language and literature would broaden her range of acting roles.
Career

During her first year at Oxford, Beckinsale was offered a part in Kenneth Branagh’s big-screen film, Much Ado About Nothing, adapted from the Shakespeare play. She spent her last year of studies in Paris, after which she decided to quit the university and concentrate on her acting career.[4] Kate starred in a 1996 TV film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. She subsequently appeared in a few low-profile films, including Shooting Fish and The Last Days of Disco (both in 1998). During this time, Beckinsale also appeared in television films and in stage roles, including the well-received Cold Comfort Farm, opposite British silver and small screen notables Rufus Sewell, Eileen Atkins, Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry.
Beckinsale in the “54th Festival de Cine de San Sebastián”Her first major American film, Brokedown Palace (1999), was not a commercial success. Soon after, Beckinsale was cast in the 2001 film Pearl Harbor as the female lead, after actress Charlize Theron turned down the part. The film was one of the highest grossing films of its year. In the years following, she appeared in a series of American films that were high-profile, but were given a somewhat poor critical reception, including Serendipity (2001), Underworld (2003) and Van Helsing (2004). Notably, she appeared as Ava Gardner in The Aviator, a role for which she gained 20 pounds.

In 2006, Beckinsale was placed at #23 in FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World”, after being #71 in 2005. She has also been placed at #16 in Maxim’s “HOT 100″ (2003), #63 in Stuff’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World” (2002), and was chosen by the English magazine Hello! as “England’s #1 Beauty”, also in 2002.In January 2006, Beckinsale reprised her role as a vampire in the movie Underworld: Evolution, a sequel to her 2003 film, Underworld, again directed by her husband, Len Wiseman. The film opened at the #1 spot at the box office, grossing over $26 million in its first weekend of release.[5] On January 24, 2006, Beckinsale was featured on the MTV series, Punk’d. The set-up for the segment took place at the Avalon Hotel in Los Angeles.

Also in 2006, Beckinsale appeared in the Adam Sandler starring comedy-drama, Click, which opened on June 23. Next, Beckinsale replaced Sarah Jessica Parker[6] in the film Vacancy, released in 2007. Her next role will be in Snow Angels, which is in post-production and scheduled for release some time in 2008.

At Comic-Con 2007, Kate expressed interest in playing Catwoman in the current Christopher Nolan directed Batman films. In April of 2007, during an interview promoting Vacancy, Beckinsale claimed no knowledge of the rumors linking her to a remake of Barbarella. “I was told on the set yesterday, someone said, ‘Oh I hear you’re doing Barbarella,’ one of the grips. So that’s the most official it’s become. Every woman would consider Barbarella for a moment, but I don’t know.”[7]
Personal life

Beckinsale and her ex-boyfriend Michael Sheen have a daughter, Lily Mo Sheen (born January 31, 1999). She reported in interviews that during her pregnancy with Lily was the only time she’s ever stopped smoking. During the Underworld shoot, Beckinsale split from Sheen, who starred as her mortal enemy, Lucian, leader of the Lycans. She became involved with the director of the film, Len Wiseman.[8] In June 2003, Beckinsale became engaged to Wiseman, and the two were married on 9 May 2004 in Bel-Air, California.
Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1991 One Against The Wind Barbe Lindell
1993 Much Ado About Nothing Hero
1994 Uncovered Julia
1994 Prince of Jutland/ Royal Deceit Ethel
1995 Cold Comfort Farm Flora Poste
Haunted Christina Mariell
1996 Emma Emma Woodhouse made-for-television
1998 The Last Days of Disco Charlotte Pingress
Shooting Fish Georgie
Alice Through the Looking Glass Alice made-for-television
1999 Brokedown Palace Darlene Davis
2001 Serendipity Sara Thomas
Pearl Harbor Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson Nominated for Best Female Performance by MTV Movie Awards
Nominated for Worst Screen Couple (with Ben Affleck) by Razzie Awards

Nominated for Best Film Chemistry (with Ben Affleck) by Teen Choice Award
 
The Golden Bowl Maggie Verver
2002 Laurel Canyon Alex
2003 Underworld Selene Nominated for Best Actress by Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
Tiptoes Carol direct-to-video
2004 The Aviator Ava Gardner
Van Helsing Anna Valerious
2006 Click Donna Newman
Underworld: Evolution Selene
2007 Vacancy Amy Fox
2008 Snow Angels Annie Marchand
Winged Creatures Carla Davenport Post-production
Whiteout Carrie Stetko Post-production[9]
Nothing But the Truth Her role is inspired by Judith Miller Post-production

Halle Berry and her boyfriend, model Gabriel Aubry, welcomed a baby girl Sunday.

“Everyone is doing great!” her rep tells NewsBlogTwist.com.

Berry, 41, announced she and Aubry, 32, were expecting last year.

“I’ve accomplished things I never thought I would,” she told Parade magazine. “Now my sights are set on a different chapter in my life, which is motherhood. That’s the goal I have very clearly set for myself.”

Berry met Aubrey, 32, at a Versace photo shoot in November 2005. They went public as a couple three months later. Of her relationship, she told Hello magazine: “I have someone who is putting a spark in my eye. I have never been in better physical and emotional shape, and I’m happy in my personal life - what a novel idea!”

Let’s just be honest… Britney Spears isn’t known for being easy to work with, or even manageable at times. But the thought of a younger, hipper girl taking her place was all she needed to get motivated.

The “Gimme More” singer reportedly didn’t initially show up for her “Piece of Me” video shoot. Only after she was threatened by her label with losing the shoot did she make it to the location. Oh yeah, and she was 12 hours late.

According to press, Brit was told her video shoot was going to be given to Jive Records’ up-and-coming singer Samantha Jade if she didn’t hop to it.

And when that was announced, the “Toxic” singer somehow found the time to show up at Hollywood hotspot Social Hollywood Restaurant, the video’s scheduled location.

There’s nothing like the fear of becoming a has-been to kick a diva’s butt.
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

In an industry that puts such an emphasis on physical appearance, Eva Mendes is rebelling against her female peers that always complain about the hardships of staying beautiful.

And it’s all about perspective. The “Hitch” babe says that rather than ache and moan over their stereotypes, actresses should focus on their good fortune. She got pretty vocal about it in a recent interview. The 33-year-old actress, who teamed up with Kate Hudson for the opening of a D&G store in NYC yesterday, told press, “You know what really pisses me off? I’ve heard so many actresses say something to the effect that it’s very difficult to be beautiful in this business. And you know, I’m not violent but I literally want to strangle them.”

“I want to tell them, ‘No, it’s difficult being overweight in this business. It’s difficult being from a minority or having some kind of physical or mental disability. But the easiest thing is to be beautiful in this business.’ Why do they say that? It sounds so arrogant.”
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

Not one to be tied down to just one girl, John Mayer continued on with his carousel dating program by taking out Friday Night Lights actress Minka Kelly last night (December 3).

The date with Minka, 27, comes just three days after reports from US Weekly tell, “the 30-year-old was spotted ‘kissing, holding hands’ and dirty dancing with ex flame Cameron Diaz at NYC GoldBar November 30,” as their source added, “They were totally on a date.” Back to last night, John took Minka out for a romantic dinner in the Big Apple at the Waverly Inn. From there, the two made their way to NYC hotspot Butter to cap off the evening.

On their journey, paparazzi on the scene “taunted the couple, asking Mayer if he thought Diaz’s body ‘was a wonderland.’”

“You should go on stage,” Mayer replied, as the photog’s serenaded the couple with his hit song.
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

In case you didn’t know, Kim Kardashian was the victim of an airport robbery last week. And she certainly isn’t taking it very well.

The story is, while Kim was granting some photo opportunities in the Delta terminal of JFK Airport, someone came by and swiped $50,000 (her estimate) worth of jewelry from her baggage. The “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” starlet told radio host (and executive producer of her reality show) Ryan Seacrest, “I want my stuff back!”

Funny enough, there isn’t any photographic evidence (i.e. surveillance camera footage) of the incident. A rep for Delta Airlines told press, “Delta employees perform their duties with the utmost professionalism and responsibility, and we’re investigating Ms. Kardashian’s claim.”

But when asked why there was no police report filed as of yet, Kim’s rep Cindy Guagenti called the press “weird” and “jealous.” If you can’t find the sense in that response, don’t worry. Neither can we.
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

Here’s a shocker! Paris Hilton loves to go shopping. And why not? It’s not like she doesn’t have the money.

On her most recent retail outing, the “Simple Life” babe headed over to Kitson boutique on Robertson Boulevard. And trailing her (like those Verizon commercials with the network) were tons of paparazzi hoping to get a hot picture of the hotel heiress.

The 26-year-old did plenty of browsing before emerging from the store wearing a “Little Miss Naughty” shirt. Her gigantic smile and even bigger sunglasses added to the bizarre display.

And it seems that Miss Hilton is a fan of communicating via clothing. Last night she was spotted out with an “I Believe In Santa Claus” shirt on. So do we!
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

Rather than throwing a big bash in honor of the special occasion, Jay-Z opted to spend his birthday on an intimate outing in Paris with longtime girlfriend, Beyoncé Knowles.

Turning 38-years-old on Tuesday, the hip-hop mogul is said to have “headed to Paris and checked quietly into the Hotel Meurice on Monday.” Meanwhile, “Beyoncé arrived the next day, jetting in following Sunday’s performance at Movies Rock.” People magazine reports that, “the two spent a leisurely day inside their hotel suite and, at one point, Knowles hit the hotel’s luxurious spa. As evening fell, the couple took a Maybach limo for a romantic drive around the City of Light before settling down to an intimate dinner upstairs at popular restaurant L’Avenue.”

Not yet ready to call it a night, Jay and Beyoncé then hit up a late show at the Crazy Horse cabaret, where “they sipped champagne and watched the cast run through the club’s new Forever Crazy revue.”

On Tuesday, the cute couple were spotted leaving the Hotel Costes, heading out for a little shopping at Dior and Chanel. Oh, the life!
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

In the legal saga that is Lindsay Lohan’s life, her current court battle just got a little less complicated - as a scheduled January hearing has been canceled after being deemed unnecessary.

Stemming from a lawsuit brought on by Raymundo Ortega, who was involved in a car accident with Lohan, recent AP reports tell, “Her lawyers were scheduled to ask a judge next month to compel Ortega to prove the actress was drunk. Instead, they filed to cancel the Los Angeles Superior Court hearing, saying Ortega provided responses to their discovery request.” But that doesn’t mean that Lindsay’s lawyers aren’t going to fight it. Ortega is seeking a mere $200,000 in damages, while the “Georgia Rule” actress is countersuing for $75,000.

One source told press that Raymundo’s team found, “a copy of Lohan’s bar tab from lunch the day of the crash, which showed that her party of five ordered four Ivy Gimlets—a vodka cocktail—over the course of the meal. Of course, it could be difficult, if not impossible, to prove that Lohan, who was 19 at the time, was one of the recipients of the drinks, especially two years after the fact.”

The Lohan legal team also added that California Highway Patrol had no evidence that she had been drinking, and clearly cited Ortega for the fault of the accident.
[Source:celebrity-gossip]

If you happened to be in Miami, Florida last night, you may have caught a glimpse of Paris Hilton. The heiress was in town to attend the International Wednesdays Party at Mansion Nightclub in South Beach.

The “Simple Life” starlet wore a sundress-style garment with a weird mixture of animal-print and turquoise accents. But her handbag really stole the show- it was a gold-paneled Fort Knox-esque accessory that matched her gold shoes. And if you were hoping to see Miss Hilton on the Bachelorette, it looks like you’ll be disappointed. She has officially stated that she won’t be doing that gig.

Paris says she would never consider an offer from the show. “I don’t usually like the guys that would want to be on that kind of show.” After all, she already has a Swedish boytoy, so why would she need to put herself out there like that?
[Source:celebrity-gossip]