Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale was born in 1973 in England to a wealthy aristocratic family. When she was just a baby, her parents were killed in a car accident. She was raised by her maternal grandparents and spent her formative years living in Europe. As a teenager, she traveled the world and studied at Oxford University. While there, she gained notice for her starring role in the Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado About Nothing. After graduating from Oxford, Beckinsale made her film debut in the UK television series Emma. Throughout the 1990s, Beckinsale worked on both film and television. She starred in the small-scale dramas The Last Days of Disco and Brokedown Palace. In 2001, she starred in her breakthrough film, Pearl Harbor. She then starred in a number of films, including the romantic comedy Serendipity, Tiptoes, The Aviator, and Click. Since playing the role of Selene in the Underworld film series, Beckinsale has become known for her work in action films, including Van Helsing, Whiteout, Contraband, and Total Recall. She also starred in two television projects with The Widow and Guilty Party. In 2016, Beckinsale received critical acclaim for her performance in the period comedy film Love & Friendship. She returned in action films with Jolt in 2021. She also starred in two television projects with The Widow and Guilty Party.