Selma Blair facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Selma Blair
Blair in 2023
Born	Selma Blair Beitner (1972-06-23) June 23, 1972 (age 52) Southfield, Michigan, U.S.
Education	University of Michigan (BA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Ahmet Zappa ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2006)​
Children	1

Selma Blair (born Selma Blair Beitner on June 23, 1972) is an American actress. She is famous for her roles in movies like Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, The Sweetest Thing, and the Hellboy series.

Selma grew up in Southfield, Michigan. Her parents were both lawyers, and her family had a Jewish background. She first studied photography at Kalamazoo College before moving to New York to get involved in acting. She later graduated from the University of Michigan. Selma worked hard, going to many auditions before landing her first TV and film roles. Her big break came with Cruel Intentions, and she became even more well-known with movies like Legally Blonde and Hellboy.

In her personal life, Selma was married to Ahmet Zappa and has one child. In 2018, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. Since then, she has openly shared her experiences, becoming an advocate for others with MS. In 2021, a documentary called Introducing, Selma Blair was made about her life with MS. She also wrote a book about her life, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up, which came out in 2022.

Early Life and Education

Selma Blair was born on June 23, 1972, in Southfield, Michigan, near Detroit. She is the youngest of four daughters. Her father was a lawyer and her mother was a judge. Selma grew up in a Jewish family and attended a Jewish day school.

When she was in high school, Selma acted in a play called Murder in the Cathedral. Even though she thought she wasn't good, her teacher encouraged her. This made her think about becoming an actress. She spent her first year of college at Kalamazoo College, where she studied photography. At that time, she also dreamed of being a ballerina or a horse trainer!

At age 20, Selma moved to New York City. She took acting classes at famous schools like the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Later, she went back to Michigan to finish her studies. She graduated with high honors from the University of Michigan in 1994. She had three main subjects: photography, psychology, and English. After college, she returned to New York to start her acting career.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out: 1990s Roles

In 1993, an agent discovered Selma in an acting class. After many auditions, she got her first job in a TV commercial. Her first professional acting role was in 1995 on the children's TV show The Adventures of Pete & Pete.

In 1996, she got her first movie role in The Broccoli Theory. The next year, she appeared in the bigger movie In & Out. She worked hard for this role, auditioning six times! Selma also had a main role in the 1997 fantasy film Amazon High. She was even considered for the role of Joey Potter in the popular show Dawson's Creek, but Katie Holmes got the part.

Becoming a Star: 1999–2004

Selma's big breakthrough came in 1999 with the movie Cruel Intentions. She starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe. The movie was a success and earned her an MTV Movie Award nomination. She even won "Best Kiss" with Sarah Michelle Gellar!

After that, she starred in the TV show Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane. In 2000, she won a Young Hollywood Award for being an "Exciting New Face." She also appeared in the teen comedy Down to You.

In 2001, Selma co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in the hit comedy Legally Blonde. She played Vivian, a smart but snobby law student. The movie was a huge success, earning over $141 million worldwide! She also appeared in the independent drama Storytelling.

Selma continued to appear in movies like Highway and the comedy The Sweetest Thing with Cameron Diaz. For The Sweetest Thing, she was nominated for a Teen Choice Award. In 2002, she was even featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. She also had a guest role on the popular TV show Friends.

In 2004, Selma took on the role of Liz Sherman, a superhero who can control fire, in the big fantasy movie Hellboy. The movie was very popular and made nearly $100 million around the world.

Later Roles and Voice Work: 2005–Present

Selma continued to act in many different films. In 2005, she did her own stunts for the movie The Fog, spending 12 hours in a water tank for underwater scenes! In 2008, she returned as Liz Sherman in Hellboy II: The Golden Army, which was also a big success. She was nominated for a Scream Award for her role.

She also starred in the independent drama The Poker House (2008) with Jennifer Lawrence. In 2010, Selma lent her voice to narrate The Diary of Anne Frank audiobook. Her performance was so good that it was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2011!

From 2012 to 2013, Selma starred in the TV show Anger Management with Charlie Sheen. She played Dr. Kate Wales, a therapist. In 2016, she played Kris Jenner in the miniseries American Crime Story: The People vs. O. J. Simpson.

More recently, Selma appeared in the Netflix science-fiction show Another Life (2019-2021). In 2022, she joined Dancing with the Stars as a contestant. She had to leave the competition in the fifth week because of her health. Her next film role will be in an Israeli movie called Be Strong.

Fashion and Style

Selma Blair at the 2011 Hollywood Style Awards

Selma Blair is known for her great fashion sense and often changes her hairstyle. She has worked with many famous fashion designers like Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney.

She has appeared in many magazines, including Seventeen, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Elle. She has also been the face of big fashion brands like Chanel, Miu Miu, and GAP. In 2008, she was even named one of Glamour's 50 Most Glamorous Women.

In 2012, Selma designed her own line of handbags and wallets called SB. She also became the spokesperson for the "Get Real For Kids" campaign.

Personal Life and Advocacy

On January 24, 2004, Selma Blair married writer and producer Ahmet Zappa. They later divorced in 2006. In 2010, Selma started dating fashion designer Jason Bleick, and they had a son named Arthur Saint Bleick. They separated in 2012.

Joe Biden and Selma Blair at a White House event in October 2023

Selma Blair is a strong advocate for important causes. In 2012, she was a special guest at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C., where she shared the story of a war widow.

She supports many charities and good causes, including campaigns for skin cancer awareness, AIDS research, and helping homeless animals. She also works with organizations like No Kid Hungry to fight childhood hunger and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2015, she received the Universal Smile Award for her work helping children with cleft lip and palate.

In June 2022, Selma became the chief creative officer for Guide Beauty. This company makes makeup products for people who have trouble with movement. In December 2022, she was recognized as one of the BBC's 100 women for her inspiring work.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

Music Videos

Video Games

Audiobooks

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Selma Blair with Joe Biden at the White House in October 2023

See also

In Spanish: Selma Blair para niños