Ashley Judd is an American actress born on April 19, 1968. She comes from a family of performers, as her mother is country music singer Naomi Judd and her half-sister is Wynonna Judd. Her acting career began in the early 1990s with roles on television and in films like "Kuffs." Beyond acting, she is known for her humanitarian work and political activism.
April 19, 1968: Ashley Judd's Birth
On April 19, 1968, Ashley Judd was born in Granada Hills, Los Angeles.
1968: Ashley Judd's Birth
Ashley Judd was born in 1968. Her mother, Naomi Judd, later became a country music singer, and her half-sister, Wynonna Judd, also pursued a career in country music.
1972: Parents' Divorce and Move to Kentucky
In 1972, when Ashley Judd was four years old, her parents divorced. Following the divorce, Ashley and her mother, Naomi, moved to Kentucky, where Ashley spent most of her childhood.
1991: Television Debut
In 1991, Ashley Judd made her television debut with a guest role as Ensign Robin Lefler on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
1991: Recurring Role on 'Sisters'
Starting in 1991, Ashley Judd landed a recurring role as Reed on the NBC drama series 'Sisters', which lasted until 1994.
1992: Film Debut
Ashley Judd made her feature film debut with a small role in the 1992 movie 'Kuffs'.
1992: Film Debut
In 1992, Ashley Judd made her film debut with a small role in the movie 'Kuffs'.
1993: Breakthrough Role in 'Ruby in Paradise'
In 1993, Ashley Judd was cast in her first starring role in Victor Nuñez's 'Ruby in Paradise', playing the title character. The film won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, and her performance received critical acclaim.
1994: End of Role on 'Sisters'
Ashley Judd's recurring role as Reed on the NBC drama 'Sisters' ended in 1994.
1996: Notable Roles in 'Norma Jean and Marilyn' and 'A Time to Kill'
In 1996, Ashley Judd starred as Marilyn Monroe in 'Norma Jean and Marilyn' and had a supporting role in the thriller 'A Time to Kill', which became a box office success.
1997: Lead Role in Thriller 'Kiss the Girls'
Ashley Judd had a lead role in the successful thriller 'Kiss the Girls' in 1997.
December 1999: Engagement to Dario Franchitti
Ashley Judd became engaged to Scottish racing driver Dario Franchitti in December 1999.
1999: Lead Role in Thriller 'Double Jeopardy'
Ashley Judd solidified her status as a leading actress with her role in the 1999 thriller 'Double Jeopardy', which performed well at the box office.
2000: Lead Role in 'Where the Heart Is'
Ashley Judd starred in 'Where the Heart Is' in 2000.
December 2001: Marriage to Dario Franchitti
Ashley Judd and Dario Franchitti married in December 2001 at Skibo Castle in Scotland.
2001: Lead Role in 'Someone Like You'
Ashley Judd starred in 'Someone Like You' in 2001.
2002: Roles in 'High Crimes', 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood', and 'Frida'
In 2002, Ashley Judd starred in 'High Crimes', 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood', and the critically acclaimed film 'Frida'.
2003: Broadway Debut in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'
Ashley Judd took on the role of Maggie the Cat in the 2003 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'.
2004: Acclaim for Role in 'De-Lovely' and Lead Role in 'Twisted'
Ashley Judd received praise and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the 2004 film 'De-Lovely'. She also starred in 'Twisted' in 2004, which received negative reviews.
2004: Advertising for American Beauty and H. Stern
Starting in 2004, Ashley Judd became the face of American Beauty cosmetics and H. Stern jewelers.
February 2006: Treatment for Depression, Insomnia, and Codependency
In February 2006, Ashley Judd entered a 47-day program at Shades of Hope Treatment Center in Buffalo Gap, Texas, to address depression, insomnia, and codependency.
October 29, 2006: Appeared at a 'Women for Ford' Event
On October 29, 2006, Ashley Judd appeared at a "Women for Ford" event for Democratic Tennessee Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr.
May 2007: Completed BA at the University of Kentucky
By May 2007, Ashley Judd had completed a BA at the University of Kentucky.
June 2007: Launch of Fashion Clothing Lines with Goody's
In June 2007, Goody's Family Clothing launched three fashion clothing lines in collaboration with Ashley Judd.
2007: Criticized Rookie IndyCar Driver Milka Duno
During the 2007 IndyCar season, Judd criticized allowing rookie Milka Duno to race.
2008: Addition of 'Ashley Judd Plus' Clothing Line
Goody's Family Clothing introduced an 'Ashley Judd Plus' clothing line in 2008.
2008: Supported Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
In 2008, Ashley Judd supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
May 9, 2009: Awarded Honorary DHL Degree
On May 9, 2009, Ashley Judd was awarded an Honorary DHL degree from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.
November 10, 2009: Honored as the Recipient of the Fourth Annual USA Today Hollywood Hero
Ashley Judd was honored November 10, 2009, as the recipient of the fourth annual USA Today Hollywood Hero, awarded for her work with PSI.
2009: Condemned Sarah Palin for Supporting Aerial Wolf Hunting
In 2009, Ashley Judd appeared in a one-minute video advertisement for the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, in which she condemned Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for supporting aerial wolf hunting.
September 8, 2010: Interviewed by CNN About Humanitarian Mission to Congo
On September 8, 2010, CNN interviewed Judd about her second humanitarian mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Judd traveled with the Enough Project, a project to end genocide and crimes against humanity.
September 30, 2010: Published Op-Ed on Violence in Congo
On September 30, 2010, CNN published an op-ed titled "Ashley Judd: Electronics fuel unspeakable violence" by Judd and Enough Project co-founder John Prendergast regarding the continued violence in Congo.
November 26, 2010: Published Op-Ed 'Costs of Convenience'
On November 26, 2010, Ashley Judd published a subsequent op-ed, "Costs of Convenience", excerpted from her trip diary from eastern Congo.
2010: Declined Role in 'Rizzoli & Isles'
Ashley Judd was initially considered for the role of Detective Jane Rizzoli in the TV series 'Rizzoli & Isles' in 2010 but declined the role.
2010: Earned MPA Degree from Harvard Kennedy School
In 2010, Ashley Judd earned a mid-career MPA degree from Harvard Kennedy School.
2010: Urged Kentucky Governor to Protect Homeless Animals
In 2010, Judd signed the Animal Legal Defense Fund's petition to urge Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to protect that state's homeless animals through tough enforcement of Kentucky's Humane Shelter Law.
2011: Release of Memoir 'All That is Bitter and Sweet'
Ashley Judd released her memoir 'All That is Bitter and Sweet' in 2011, detailing her life and humanitarian work.
2011: Co-starring Role in 'Flypaper'
In 2011, Ashley Judd co-starred with Patrick Dempsey in the film 'Flypaper'.
2011: Joined Leadership Council of the International Center for Research on Women
In 2011, Ashley Judd joined the Leadership Council of the International Center for Research on Women.
2012: Lead Role in 'Missing'
In 2012, Ashley Judd starred as Rebecca Winstone in the ABC series 'Missing'.
2013: Divorce from Dario Franchitti
Ashley Judd and Dario Franchitti divorced in 2013.
2014: Documentary Narration and Kentucky Derby
In 2014, Ashley Judd narrated the documentary 'Love Is a Verb' about Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen. She also became the first woman to narrate the opening for the telecast of the Kentucky Derby.
2014: Role as Natalie Prior in 'Divergent'
Ashley Judd appeared as Natalie Prior in the 2014 film 'Divergent'.
October 2015: Revealed Sexual Harassment by a Studio Mogul
In October 2015, Judd told Variety that she had been sexually harassed by a studio mogul but did not name the person.
2015: Reprising Role in 'Insurgent'
Ashley Judd reprised her role as Natalie Prior in the 2015 sequel 'Insurgent'.
August 2016: Enrolled at UC Berkeley to Pursue PhD
In August 2016, Ashley Judd enrolled at UC Berkeley to pursue a PhD in Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy.
2016: Appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA
In 2016, Ashley Judd was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, the United Nations agency with responsibilities including sexual and reproductive health.
October 2017: Named Harvey Weinstein as Her Harasser
In October 2017, Judd revealed the person who sexually harassed her was Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax, and said that the sexual harassment occurred during the filming of Kiss the Girls.
April 30, 2018: Filed Lawsuit Against Harvey Weinstein
On April 30, 2018, Judd filed a defamation and sexual harassment lawsuit against Weinstein, stating that he hurt her career by spreading lies about her after she rejected his sexual advances.
January 2019: Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed, Defamation Claim Allowed
In January 2019, a federal judge in California dismissed Judd's claim of sexual harassment against Weinstein but allowed Judd to pursue her defamation claim that Weinstein sabotaged her career.
March 2019: Georgia Passes Six-Week Abortion Ban
In March 2019, Georgia passed a six-week abortion ban.
April 2019: Addressed Georgia's Six-Week Abortion Ban
At the Women in the World summit in April 2019, Judd addressed Georgia's six-week abortion ban, which had been passed in March 2019. She shared her personal experience with abortion.
February 2021: Severe Leg Injury in Congo
In February 2021, while hiking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ashley Judd sustained a shattered leg and required a 55-hour journey for surgery in South Africa.