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Nicole Kidman Profile |
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Birth Date: June 20, 1967
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Birth Place: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Birth Name: Nicole Marie Kidman
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Height: 5'10½"
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Biography |
The ravishing redhead was thrown into the Hollywood
limelight as Tom Cruise's wife, but Nicole Kidman became an
A-list actress and household name based on the strength of
her acting abilities, not because of a wedding ring she once
wore.
Many have been fooled into thinking that Nicole was born
Down Under because of her accent, but she was actually born
in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 20, 1967. Her parents had moved
to the U.S. to allow Nicole's biochemist father to pursue
his research on breast cancer.
nicole heads to australia
When Nicole was 4 years old, her family moved to Australia,
where she and her younger sister Antonia were raised under
strict rules. Anthony and Janelle Kidman were extremely
politically active, and they instilled similar values into
their daughters. The Kidman girls were required to discuss a
political issue or current affair with their parents at the
end of every day.
Difficult though it may be to believe, Nicole felt extremely
awkward and out of place while growing up. Although today
her statuesque figure is part of her beauty, as a child her
figure was disproportionate, and she stood at a lanky height
compared to her classmates. A pale complexion did not make
matters any better for young Nicole.
Insecure with her awkward appearance, Nicole sought refuge
in performing and drama. She became involved in the St.
Martin's Youth Theater and then the Philip Street Theater in
Sydney, where she impressed future director Jane Campion, a
film student at the time. Nicole's love for ballet and the
performing arts, combined with Jane Campion's encouraging
words, were enough for Nicole to know that acting was her
calling.
nicole kidman in dead calm
Nicole made her film debut in 1983, in the Australian films
Bush Christmas and BMX Bandits. Her performance spawned
further roles, and before long she dropped out of high
school to pursue a full-time acting career and tend to her
mother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. As her
mother gradually recovered, Nicole began to achieve star
status in Australia. She also established visibility in the
United States, appearing in the 1989 thriller, Dead Calm.
Nicole's next film would mold her life in more ways than
one. Starring in the racecar flick Days of Thunder, she
stole co-star Tom Cruise's heart both on and off the screen
(even though Tom was actually married to Mimi Rogers at the
time). The couple wed after a brief courtship in 1990.
nicole and tom in far and away
While Nicole continued to enjoy prominent roles in such
American films as Billy Bathgate (1991), Far and Away
(1992), co-starring then husband Tom Cruise, My Life (1993),
and Malice (1993), they did not fare particularly well at
the box office, and the actress remained low on the ladder
of Hollywood's commodities.
nicole kidman is to die for
In 1995, Nicole finally secured A-list status with a
critically-acclaimed performance in Gus Van Sant's film, To
Die For. Her role as a fame-hungry journalist swept aside
any suggestions that Nicole was just another actress and
garnered her the Best Actress award at the Golden Globes.
nicole and tom in eyes wide shut
Bigger roles followed: the sexy love interest in the summer
blockbuster Batman Forever (1995), a leading role in Jane
Campion's film adaptation of The Portrait of a Lady (1996),
and a co-starring role opposite George Clooney in The
Peacemaker (1997). In 1999, Nicole appeared alongside Tom
Cruise in the psychosexual drama Eyes Wide Shut, which was
director Stanley Kubrick's final film.
Returning to her theatrical roots, Nicole then starred in
the Broadway production of The Blue Room, which garnered her
rave reviews and a Theatre World Award.
nicole kidman and tom cruise split
In 2001, Tom filed for divorce from Nicole, which was highly
publicized in the media. Nicole and Tom were married for 10
years and adopted two children, Isabella Jane and Connor
Anthony.
The divorce didn't stop Nicole: In 2001, she appeared in
Birthday Girl, the supernatural thriller The Others, and
Moulin Rouge!, the Baz Luhrmann musical that earned Nicole
her first Academy Award nomination and another Golden Globe
win. Her next film was The Hours (2002), in which she shared
the screen with Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. This time
she took home the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best
Actress for her gut-wrenching portrayal of Virginia Woolf.
nicole kidman in cold mountain
Nicole was busy in 2003, with starring roles in Cold
Mountain with Renee Zellweger, The Human Stain, and the
experimental Lars von Trier drama, Dogville. The latest
entries in her filmography are Birth (2004) and The Stepford
Wives (2004). In 2005 and 2006, The Interpreter, Bewitched,
The Producers, American Darlings, Emma's War, Eucalyptus,
and a Baz Luhrmann biopic on Alexander the Great.
Nicole Kidman has also made the leap into producing, serving
as producer for In the Cut and executive producer for
American Darlings.
When not working on films, Nicole Kidman can be seen in ads
for Chanel No. 5, and making headlines thanks to romances
with rocker Lenny Kravitz and Liz Hurley's ex, Stephen Bing. |
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Other
Information |
Listed in "People Weekly"s "Most Intriguing People" list.
(December 25 1995/January 1 1996 issue)
She and her husband Tom Cruise donated to Hillary Rodham
Clinton's campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate
representing New York state. [2000]
Suffered a broken rib while rehearsing a dance routine for
the movie Moulin Rouge! (2001). Production was halted while
she recovered.
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful
People in the World [1999]
Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most
beautiful people in the world [1996]
Wore a corset while filming The Portrait of a Lady (1996) to
take her waist down to 19"
Spent two weeks in bed after filming of The Portrait of a
Lady (1996) - diagnosed as suffering from "emotional
stress".
Adopted a son and daughter.
Her father is renowned Sydney psychologist Anthony Kidman,
famous in his own right for work done with breast cancer
patients, among other things.
Family: sister, Antonia Kidman, brother-in-law, Angus
Hawley, mother, Janelle Kidman, son, Connor Antony,
daughter, Isabella Jane.
Crusader against child abuse. "Children should be allowed to
grow up without fear of cruelty." [October 1999]
Separated from husband Tom Cruise. [5 February 2001]
In Moulin Rouge! (2001) Kidman sang alongside Ewan McGregor.
Conor Antony (adopted son) born January 17, 1995.
Isabella Jane (adopted daughter) born December 22, 1992.
Sang alongside Robbie Williams in a remake of the duet
"Something Stupid", originally sang by Frank Sinatra and
Nancy Sinatra.
Scared of butterflies
Named one of People Magazine's '25 Most Intriguing People of
2001'.
Named E!'s Celebrity of the Year 2001.
Named Entertainment Weekly's Entertainer of The Year for
2001.
Played a young girl named Grace on a sketch on "Saturday
Night Live" (1975) with Mike Myers, the next time she played
a character named Grace was her 2001 movie, The Others
(2001). She played a character named Grace for the third
time in Dogville (2003).
She was supposed to be the star of Panic Room (2002), but
she hurt herself in a stunt for Moulin Rouge! (2001). So,
she played the voice of Jodie Foster's divorced husband's
wife.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People
Magazine in 2002.
Sister of Australian television personality Antonia Kidman.
Although naturally left-handed, she taught herself to write
right- handed for her role in The Hours (2002), where she
played the right-handed author Virginia Woolf.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (13 January
2003)
Found out about her first Academy Award nomination, for
Moulin Rouge! (2001), while shooting Dogville (2003) in
Sweden.
Ranked #31 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had
ranked #83 in 2002.
First Australian actress to win the Best Actress Academy
Award.
Voted the 5th Sexiest Female Movie Star in the Australian
Empire Magazine - September 2002.
Measurements: 34B-23-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
In recent polls, she was elected alongside fellow Aussie
Hugh Jackman as one of the favorite upcoming romantic
couples on screen.
Originally cast as Mrs. Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005).
Has appeared in My Life (1993/I) with Michael Keaton, Batman
Forever (1995) with Val Kilmer, The Peacemaker (1997) with
George Clooney and The Portrait of a Lady (1996) with
Christian Bale. All four actors have played Batman in a
movie.
She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in
1999 (1998 season) for Best Actress for her performance in
The Blue Room.
Best friends with Naomi Watts.
She was awarded the 1998 Special Award at the London Evening
Standard Theatre Awards for her special and significant
contributions to London Theatre for her performance in The
Blue Room.
A very tall woman at nearly 5' 11", she actually stood about
3 inches taller than husband Tom Cruise and rarely wore
heels when seen publicly with him so they could appear
similar in height. Since their divorce, she is rarely seen
on the red carpet without high heels, and she often meets 6'
4" actors in the eye.
Scored an IQ of 132+
While she usually commands $10 million+ for a movie, she is
willing to receive only $500,000 for her role in Eucalyptus
(2006). Produced by Fox Searchlight, its financing guideline
shows that each actor signed on to its project can receive
no more than $500,000 to keep the cost low. This movie will
be produced in Australia which is another reason why Kidman
decided to accept it.
Frequently does her own nude scenes, declining to use body
doubles.
Replaced Rene Russo as Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever
(1995) when Val Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton.
Likes the poetry of Anne Carson and the writing of Phillip
Larkin.
Writes short stories in her free time and hopes to publish
them one day.
Is in the 50th anniversary edition of the Guinness Book Of
Records as the highest paid actress in a commercial. She
netted $3.71 million for her part in a 4-minute Baz Luhrmann-directed
Chanel No.5 movie ad. The ad,costing $11 million a minute,
is a short-film titled "No 5: The Film". Guinness book
editors noted the actress earned $928,800-per-minute.
Costumes designed by Karl Lagerfeld and score by Debussy.
Good friends with Russell Crowe.
Was considered for the role of Catwoman (2004).
Had played a witch twice. Once in Practical Magic (1998) and
again in Bewitched (2005).
She was voted the 48th Greatest Movie Star of all time by
Premiere Magazine.
One People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" for most
wanted skin (2004)
Friends with Renée Zellweger
Is a pianist, and did her own piano-playing in Cold Mountain
(2003).
Is highly conscious of avoiding excessive sun exposure, and
is rarely seen during her downtime without a hat, sunglasses
and wearing sunscreen. In fact, best friend Naomi Watts has
said that "Nicole won't cross the street without a hat."
In addition to having worked with all four of the most
recent Batmans, she has also worked with both of the most
recent actors to play Alfred Pennyworth. In Batman Forever
(1995), she appears with Michael Gough. In Bewitched (2005),
her father is played by Michael Caine.
Shares her birthday with Brian Wilson, Josh Lucas, Tina
Sinatra, Lionel Richie, Olympia Dukakis, Martin Landauand
Errol Flynn.
Has one niece: Lucia (b. 1999) and two nephews: Hamish (b.
2001), James (b. 2003).
In August 2004, Australian business magazine Business Review
Weekly listed Kidman as the richest Australian woman under
age 40, estimated at a worth of 155 million Australian
dollars.
Is a childhood friend of Peter Overton, a reporter for the
Australian "60 Minutes" (1979) program. Both lived in the
same suburb of Sydney when they were children.
Has Irish ancestry.
She and ex-husband Tom Cruise made 3 movies together: Days
of Thunder (1990), Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Far and Away
(1992). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990).
Attended the same high school attended by Catherine Martin
(two time Oscar winner for costume design and direction on
Moulin Rouge! (2001) and wife of Baz Luhrmann) and legendary
Australian actress Ruth Cracknell.
Godmother of Harry (b. 19 September 2001), the son of Simon
Baker and Rebecca Riggs. Riggs and Kidman are close friends.
Goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Development Fund (UNIFEM).
[2006-]
Goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF). [1994-]
Named Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development
Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Has been a Goodwill Ambassador for
UNICEF since 1994. Recipient of her native country's highest
civilian honor -- a Companion in the General Division of the
Order of Australia -- for her services to the performing
arts and contributions to health care [January 26, 2006].
Named goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development
Fund for Women.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award
nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Actress
category for her performance in the film Bewitched (2005),
however, she failed to receive a nomination. |
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