Kate Beckinsale facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Kathrin Romany Beckinsale (1973-07-26) 26 July 1973 (age 51) London, England
Alma mater	New College, Oxford
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1991–present
Spouse(s)	Len Wiseman ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2019)​
Partner(s)	Michael Sheen (1995–2003)
Children	1
Parents	Richard Beckinsale (father) Judy Loe (mother)
Relatives	Samantha Beckinsale (half-sister) Roy Battersby (stepfather)

Kathrin Romany Beckinsale (born July 26, 1973) is an English actress. She is the only child of actors Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe. Kate first appeared on stage in 1992 in a play called Hay Fever.

In 1993, she made her first movie appearance in Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing while she was still studying at the University of Oxford. She became well-known for her roles in British period dramas. These included Cold Comfort Farm (1995) and Emma (1996).

Later, she starred in big Hollywood films like Pearl Harbor (2001) and Serendipity (2001). She also appeared in The Aviator (2004) and Click (2006).

Since playing Selene in the Underworld film series (2003–2016), Kate Beckinsale has been famous for her action roles. She also received praise for her work in smaller dramas like Love & Friendship (2016). In 2019, she returned to television in the series The Widow.

Early Life and School Days

Kathrin Romany Beckinsale was born in Chiswick, London, on July 26, 1973. Her parents, Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe, were both actors. She has an older half-sister, Samantha Beckinsale, from her father's first marriage.

When Kate was five, her father sadly passed away suddenly. This was a very difficult time for her. When she was nine, her mother and director Roy Battersby moved in together. Kate grew up with his four sons and daughter and has a close bond with her stepfather.

Kate went to Godolphin and Latymer School, a private school for girls in Hammersmith, London. She was very involved in youth theatre. She also won the WH Smith Literary Award twice for her writing.

She studied French and Russian at New College, Oxford. While at Oxford, she acted in plays with the Oxford University Dramatic Society. She spent a year studying in Paris. Kate later left university to focus on her acting career. She has said she would like to finish her studies at Oxford one day.

Becoming an Actress

First Roles: 1991–1997

Kate Beckinsale knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. She grew up around films because her family was in the business. She made her TV debut in 1991 in a show called Devices and Desires.

In 1993, Kate got a role in Kenneth Branagh's movie Much Ado About Nothing. She filmed it in Italy during her summer break from Oxford. Critics praised her "lovely" performance. The movie earned over $22 million.

While at university, she made three other films. These included Prince of Jutland (1994) and Marie-Louise ou la Permission (1995).

After leaving Oxford in 1995, Kate starred in Cold Comfort Farm. She played Flora Poste, a young woman who goes to live with her relatives in the countryside. Critics compared her to famous actresses like Glenda Jackson and Julie Christie. The film made over $5 million in the US.

In 1995, she also appeared in the ghost story Haunted. That same year, Kate made her first professional stage appearance in The Seagull. She met actor Michael Sheen during play rehearsals, and they started a relationship.

In 1996, Kate starred in an ITV TV movie of Jane Austen's Emma. She played the main character, Emma Woodhouse. Critics felt her portrayal was very believable and funny.

In 1997, Kate appeared in the comedy Shooting Fish. This was one of the most successful British films that year. She also narrated audiobooks of Emma and Romeo and Juliet.

Her last film before moving to the US was Alice through the Looking-Glass in 1998.

Moving to Hollywood: 1998–2002

Kate Beckinsale decided to look for work in the United States. She moved to New York because her boyfriend was in a play there. In 1998, she starred in The Last Days of Disco. Her American accent in the film was highly praised. Her performance earned her a London Critics' Circle Film Award.

In 1999, Kate appeared with Claire Danes in Brokedown Palace. It was a drama about two young American women dealing with the justice system in Thailand. While the film didn't do well, critics noted Kate's talent.

In 2000, Kate starred in The Golden Bowl, based on a novel by Henry James. This was her first role after her daughter was born. Critics praised her performance, saying she captured the character perfectly. The film earned over $5 million worldwide.

Kate became very famous in 2001 with a main role in the war film Pearl Harbor. She played a nurse caught between two pilots. The director, Michael Bay, had some concerns about casting her at first. He later hired her but asked her to lose weight during filming. Kate found these comments upsetting at the time.

Pearl Harbor received mixed reviews but was a huge success at the box office, making $449 million worldwide.

Kate's second film in 2001 was the romantic comedy Serendipity. She starred opposite John Cusack. Critics found her performance "appealing" and "luminous." The film earned over $77 million worldwide.

In 2002, Kate starred in Laurel Canyon. She played a serious academic who becomes interested in her future mother-in-law. While the film was well-acted by others, Kate's performance received some mixed reviews.

Action Star Roles

Becoming an Action Hero: 2003–2006

Kate Beckinsale at the 53rd San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2005

Kate Beckinsale became known as an action star after playing a vampire named Selene in the 2003 film Underworld. This role was very different from her previous work. She was happy for the change after doing many period dramas and romantic comedies. The film received mixed reviews but was a surprise hit and gained many fans.

In 2004, Kate starred in the action horror film Van Helsing. She was surprised to be in another action film so soon. The movie made over $300 million worldwide, but critics did not like it much.

Also in 2004, Kate played Ava Gardner in Martin Scorsese's film The Aviator, which was about Howard Hughes. Scorsese chose Kate because he admired her work. Her performance received mixed reviews. The film earned over $213 million worldwide.

In 2006, Kate played Selene again in the sequel Underworld: Evolution. Her husband, Len Wiseman, directed the film. Her daughter even had a small role as a younger Selene. This movie was also a box office success, making $111 million worldwide.

Kate's second film in 2006 was Click, a comedy with Adam Sandler. She played a mother, which was something she liked about the role. The film was very profitable, earning $237 million worldwide.

Focusing on Dramas: 2007–2008

Kate Beckinsale at the London premiere of Live Free or Die Hard in June 2007

After her action roles, Kate returned to smaller, independent films. She explained that she enjoyed action movies but didn't want to do only those. She had taken on action roles to avoid being typecast in classical roles.

In 2007, Kate starred in the drama Snow Angels. She played a single mother facing difficulties. Critics said she gave one of her best performances in years. However, the film only made about $414,000 worldwide.

Kate Beckinsale at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Also in 2007, Kate appeared in Vacancy, a thriller set in a motel. The film was profitable, earning $35 million worldwide.

In 2008, Kate was in Winged Creatures. She played a waitress and single mother in a cast that included Dakota Fanning and Forest Whitaker. The film had a very limited release.

Also in 2008, Kate starred in Nothing but the Truth. She played a journalist who refuses to reveal her source. This film was inspired by a real-life case. Critics praised Kate's performance, and she received a Critic's Choice Award nomination. However, the film did not get a full release due to the distributor's bankruptcy.

Back to Action: 2009–2015

In 2009, Kate Beckinsale starred in the comic-book movie Whiteout. She played a US Marshal investigating a murder in Antarctica. The film was not liked by critics and did not make back its budget. She also had a small cameo in the prequel Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Also in 2009, Kate starred in the family drama Everybody's Fine with Robert De Niro. Kate was excited to work with De Niro. This film was also not a box office success.

In 2012, Kate returned to acting with three action films. First, she appeared in the thriller Contraband. She played the wife of a former criminal. The film made over $96 million worldwide.

Next, Kate played Selene again in Underworld: Awakening, the fourth Underworld movie. She wasn't planning to do another one but liked the script. The film made over $160 million worldwide.

Also in 2012, Kate appeared in the sci-fi action remake Total Recall. Her husband, Len Wiseman, directed it. The film received mostly negative reviews. It earned $198 million worldwide.

In 2013, Kate starred in the legal thriller The Trials of Cate McCall. She also appeared in the psychological thriller Stonehearst Asylum in 2014. In 2014, she voiced Queen Ayrenn in The Elder Scrolls Online video game.

Also in 2014, Kate starred in The Face of an Angel. In 2015, she was in the British comedy Absolutely Anything with Simon Pegg.

Recent Work: 2016–Present

Kate Beckinsale in 2016

In 2016, Kate starred in the romantic comedy Love & Friendship. She played Lady Susan Vernon, a clever widow looking for a wealthy husband. Critics loved the film, and it did well in art cinemas.

Also in 2016, she starred in the horror film The Disappointments Room. Critics did not like this film, and it did not do well at the box office. Later in 2016, Kate returned as Selene in Underworld: Blood Wars, the fifth Underworld movie, which made $81.1 million worldwide.

In 2017, Kate starred in the drama The Only Living Boy in New York. In 2018, she played Ingrid Carpenter in the British film Farming.

In 2019, Kate starred in The Widow, an ITV/Amazon Prime drama. This was her first TV series in over 20 years. She played an Englishwoman who believes her husband, thought to be dead, is still alive.

Kate also starred in the action comedy film Jolt (2021). That same year, she was the main cast member and an executive producer for the TV series Guilty Party.

In 2021, it was announced that Kate would star in the drama Prisoner's Daughter.

Other Work

Modelling and Advertisements

Kate Beckinsale has sometimes worked as a model. She was called an "English rose" by the BBC. In 1997, she appeared in the music video for George Michael's song "Waltz Away Dreaming".

She was in a Gap TV ad in 2002 with Orlando Bloom. She also appeared in a Diet Coke TV ad in 2004. In 2009, she was in print ads for Absolut Vodka.

Helping Others

The British Heart Foundation has been Kate Beckinsale's favorite charity since she was six years old. Her father passed away from a heart attack, which made this cause important to her.

She has also given film items to charities like the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation and Habitat For Humanity. In 2008, she hosted an event to raise money for women's cancer research. She also helped organize a film screening for FilmAid International. In 2012, Kate joined Nestlé's Share the Joy of Reading Program to help people learn to read.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Kate Beckinsale was in a relationship with Welsh actor Michael Sheen from 1995 to 2003. They met while acting in a play together. Their daughter, Lily Mo Sheen, was born in 1999. Kate and Michael remained good friends after they broke up.

Kate met American director Len Wiseman while working on the film Underworld in 2003. They fell in love and married on May 9, 2004. They separated in 2015, and their divorce was finalized in 2019.

Filmography

Kate Beckinsale in 2006

Key

Denotes works that have not yet been released

Movies

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993	Much Ado About Nothing	Hero
1994	Prince of Jutland	Ethel
	Uncovered	Julia
1995	Marie-Louise ou la permission	Marie-Louise	French-language film
	Haunted	Christina Mariell
1997	Shooting Fish	Georgie
1998	The Last Days of Disco	Charlotte Pingress
1999	Brokedown Palace	Darlene Davis
2000	The Golden Bowl	Maggie Verver
2001	Pearl Harbor	Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson
	Serendipity	Sara Thomas
2002	Laurel Canyon	Alex Elliot
2003	Underworld	Selene
	Tiptoes	Carol
2004	Van Helsing	Anna Valerious
	The Aviator	Ava Gardner
2006	Underworld: Evolution	Selene
	Click	Donna Newman
2007	Snow Angels	Annie Marchand
	Vacancy	Amy Fox
2008	Winged Creatures	Carla Davenport
	Nothing but the Truth	Rachel Armstrong
	Vacancy 2: The First Cut	Amy Fox	Archive footage
2009	Underworld: Rise of the Lycans	Selene	Archival footage; voiceover
	Whiteout	Carrie Stetko
	Everybody's Fine	Amy Goode
2012	Contraband	Kate Farraday
	Underworld: Awakening	Selene
	Total Recall	Lori Quaid
2013	The Trials of Cate McCall	Cate McCall
2014	Stonehearst Asylum	Eliza Graves
	The Face of an Angel	Simone Ford
2015	Absolutely Anything	Catherine West
2016	Love & Friendship	Lady Susan Vernon
	The Disappointments Room	Dana
	Underworld: Blood Wars	Selene
2017	The Only Living Boy in New York	Johanna
2018	Farming	Ingrid Carpenter
2021	Jolt	Lindy Lewis
2022	Prisoner's Daughter	Maxine
2023	Fool’s Paradise	Christiana Dior
2024	Canary Black	Avery Graves
TBA	The Patient		In postproduction
	Stolen Girl	Maureen Dabbagh	In postproduction

Television Shows

Online Videos

Music Videos

Video Games

Stage Plays

Audiobooks and Spoken Word

Singing Roles

Documentaries About Her

Advertisements

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Kate Beckinsale para niños