Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale was the only child of comedian Richard Beckinsale and actress Judy Loe. Her first acting role was in the World War II TV Movie One Against the Wind, aired in 1991. Kate enrolled in Oxford University's New College in 1991, studying French and Russian literature. During her years at Oxford, she landed acting roles in Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Prince of Jutland (1994), and Uncovered (1994). After three years at Oxford, Kate decided to leave the university and concentrate on her acting career. She wasn't known in the US until her role in the box-office hit Pearl Harbor (2001). Kate enjoyed another box-office success with her lead role as Selene in the film Underworld (2004). In the same year, she was casted in the Oscar nominated Aviator, where she worked with director Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Kate starred in her first ever sequel, reprising the role of Selene in Underworld: Evolution (2006).

Kate has one daughter, Lily, with with actor Michael Sheen. She split with Sheen in 2003 and is now married to Len Wiseman, who is also the director of both Underworld films.