Childhood & Early Life
Kate Beckinsale was born in London, England to Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe, both of whom are actors.
At the age of five, she lost her young father. Her mother later moved in with Roy Battersby and Beckinsale grew up with his children maintaining a strong bond with her stepfather.
While studying at the Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith, West London, she was associated with the Orange Tree Youth Theatre.
She studied French and Russian Literature at New College, Oxford winning the WH Smith Young Writers Award twice in fiction and poetry.
As part of the Oxford University Dramatic Society, she was cast in the production of ‘A View from the Bridge’ at the Oxford Playhouse, stepping into her budding acting career.
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Career
Beckinsale appeared for the first time on television in 1991, playing a minor role in an ITV adaptation of P. D. James’ ‘Devices and Desires’. The same year, she also appeared in the film ‘One against the Wind’. The next year, she was seen in a 30-minute Channel 4 short film called ‘Rachel’s Dream’.
In 1993, she did a role in the ITV detective series, Anna Lee. The same year, she got a role in the film adaptation of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ garnering a lot of critical appreciation for her work. She shot this film during a vacation while studying at Oxford.
In 1994, she played a romantic role in ‘Prince of Jutland’ and then starred in a murder mystery ‘Uncovered’.
In 1995, while in Paris, she starred in the French film ‘Marie-Louise Ou La Permission’. The same year, she left Oxford and was seen in films like ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ and ‘Haunted’.
In 1995, itself she made her professional stage debut with ‘The Seagull’ at Theatre Royal, Bath. The next year, she starred in plays like ‘Sweetheart’ at the Royal Court Theatre and ‘Clocks and Whistles’ at the Bush Theatre.
In 1996, she appeared on television in TV adaptation of Emma. The next year, she was seen in the comedy ‘Shooting Fish’ which was a huge commercial success and also did radio narrations.
After moving to New York with her boyfriend, Beckinsale auditioned for several Hollywood films. In 1998, she was seen in ‘The Last Days of disco’ and her role was applauded.
In 1999, she appeared in the drama film ‘Brokedown Palace’ and the film was a commercial failure.
In 2000, she appeared in ‘The Golden Bowl’ which was her first film after becoming a mother. It garnered great critical appreciation for her and the film went on to become commercially successful.
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‘Pearl Harbor’, released in 2001 gave her the much deserved fame and adoration from the masses. Even though the critics panned the film, it became commercially successful. The same year, she appeared in ‘Serendipity’ and was again praised for her performance.
In 2003, she became famous as an action star for her role in ‘Underworld’. This year, she was also seen in ‘Tiptoes’.
In 2004, she was seen in the hugely successful film ‘Van Helsing’. She followed this up with her role in ‘The Aviator’.
In 2006, she was seen in the vampire sequel ‘Underworld: Evolution’. She was also seen with Adam Sandler in the movie ‘Click’.
In 2007, she was seen in ‘Snow Angels’, receiving rave reviews. She was also seen in ‘Vacancy’ which was commercially successful.
In 2008, she was seen in films like ‘Winged Creatures’ and ‘Nothing but the Truth’ both of which won her critical praise and commercial success.
In 2009, she was seen in ‘Whiteout’ and ‘Everybody’s Fine’. She also did a cameo in ‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans’.
After a small break, she returned on the screen with three action films: ‘Contraband’, ‘Underworld: Awakening’ and ‘Total Recall’. However, she got negative reviews for all her roles.
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Personal Life & Legacy
Beckinsale met Michael Sheen in 1995 and dated him for the next eight years. The couple has a daughter named Lily Mo Sheen. The couple broke up after she fell in love with Len Wiseman.
After moving to Las Vegas with her daughter, she married Wiseman in 2004 and he directed her in two movies after their marriage.
She has been part of several charitable organisations like The British Heart Foundation and Habitat for Humanity and has raised funds for Women’s Cancer Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre.
Facts About Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale is fluent in four languages: English, French, Russian, and German.
She is known for her love of pranks on movie sets and has been involved in numerous practical jokes with her co-stars.
Kate Beckinsale is a skilled painter and has displayed her artwork in several exhibitions.
She is a huge fan of British comedy and has cited Monty Python as one of her biggest comedic influences.
In addition to acting, Kate is a talented writer and has contributed articles to various publications on topics ranging from fashion to politics.
