History of Ashley Judd in Timeline
Ashley Judd is an American actress and activist, known for her extensive acting career spanning over three decades. Born into a family of performers as the daughter of Naomi Judd and half-sister of Wynonna Judd, she began her acting career in the early 1990s with roles in television and film. Beyond acting, Judd is recognized for her global humanitarian work and political activism, advocating for various social causes and using her platform to raise awareness. She has become a prominent voice in movements related to women's rights and social justice.
April 19, 1968: Ashley Judd Born
On April 19, 1968, Ashley Judd was born in the United States. She is an American actress and activist known for her work in film and her involvement in global humanitarian efforts and political activism.
1968: Ashley Judd's Birth
In 1968, Ashley Judd was born Ashley Tyler Ciminella in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, to Naomi Judd and Michael Charles Ciminella.
1972: Parents' Divorce
In 1972, Ashley Judd's parents divorced when she was four years old. This event led to her mother, Naomi, returning to Kentucky with Ashley.
1991: Television Debut
In 1991, Ashley Judd made her television debut with a guest role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation". This marked the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry.
1992: Feature Film Debut
In 1992, Ashley Judd made her feature film debut with a small role in "Kuffs". This marked her transition to the big screen.
1993: Starring Role in Ruby in Paradise
In 1993, Ashley Judd was cast in her first starring role in "Ruby in Paradise", which won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize and garnered her rave reviews.
1994: End of Sisters Role
In 1994, Ashley Judd's recurring role on the NBC drama "Sisters" came to an end.
1994: Natural Born Killers Role Cut
In 1994, Oliver Stone cast Ashley Judd in "Natural Born Killers", but her scenes were cut from the theatrical release.
1996: Norma Jean and Marilyn Co-Star
In 1996, Ashley Judd co-starred with Mira Sorvino in "Norma Jean and Marilyn", recreating a Playboy photoshoot, and had a supporting role in "A Time to Kill", a box office success.
1997: Leading Role in Thrillers
In 1997, Ashley Judd continued her success as a leading actress with roles in thrillers like "Kiss the Girls" which performed well at the box office.
December 1999: Engagement to Dario Franchitti
In December 1999, Ashley Judd became engaged to Dario Franchitti, a Scottish racing driver.
1999: Success in Double Jeopardy
By the end of the 1990s, in 1999, Ashley Judd achieved considerable success, including a lead role in the thriller "Double Jeopardy".
2000: Starring in Where the Heart Is
In 2000, Ashley Judd starred in "Where the Heart Is", which was a moderate box office success.
December 2001: Marriage to Dario Franchitti
In December 2001, Ashley Judd married Dario Franchitti at Skibo Castle in Scotland.
2001: Starring in Someone Like You
In 2001, Ashley Judd starred in "Someone Like You", which was a moderate box office success.
2002: Starring in High Crimes and Frida
In 2002, Ashley Judd starred in "High Crimes", a moderate box office success, and acted in the critically acclaimed film "Frida".
2003: Broadway Debut in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In 2003, Ashley Judd played Maggie the Cat in the Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", marking her Broadway debut.
2004: Golden Globe Nomination for De-Lovely
In 2004, Ashley Judd received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in "De-Lovely", while also starring in "Twisted", which was widely panned.
2004: Face of American Beauty
Starting in 2004, Ashley Judd was the advertising "face" of American Beauty, an Estée Lauder cosmetic brand, and of H. Stern jewelers.
February 2006: Entered Treatment Center
In February 2006, Ashley Judd entered a program at Shades of Hope Treatment Center for treatment of depression, insomnia, and codependency.
October 29, 2006: 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: Graduated from University of Kentucky
In May 2007, Ashley Judd completed a BA at the University of Kentucky.
June 2007: Goody's Clothing Lines Launched
In June 2007, Goody's Family Clothing launched three fashion clothing lines with Ashley Judd.
2007: Criticism of Milka Duno
During the 2007 IndyCar season, Ashley Judd criticized allowing rookie Milka Duno to race, citing safety concerns.
2008: Supported Obama's Campaign
In 2008, Ashley Judd supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
2008: Added Clothing Line
In 2008, Goody's added an "Ashley Judd Plus" clothing line.
May 9, 2009: Honorary Degree
On May 9, 2009, Ashley Judd was awarded an Honorary DHL degree from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.
November 10, 2009: Hollywood Hero Award
On November 10, 2009, Ashley Judd was honored with the USA Today Hollywood Hero award for her work with YouthAIDS.
2009: Anti-Palin Advertisement
In 2009, Ashley Judd appeared in an advertisement condemning Sarah Palin's support for aerial wolf hunting.
September 8, 2010: CNN Interview on Congo Mission
On September 8, 2010, CNN interviewed Ashley Judd about her second humanitarian mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the Enough Project.
September 30, 2010: Electronics Fuel Violence Op-Ed
On September 30, 2010, CNN published an op-ed by Ashley Judd and John Prendergast about conflict minerals and violence in Congo.
November 26, 2010: Costs of Convenience Op-Ed
On November 26, 2010, Ashley Judd published "Costs of Convenience", excerpted from her trip diary from eastern Congo.
2010: Earned MPA from Harvard
In 2010, Ashley Judd earned a mid-career MPA degree from Harvard Kennedy School.
2010: Animal Rights Petition
In 2010, Ashley Judd signed the Animal Legal Defense Fund's petition to protect Kentucky's homeless animals.
2010: Declined Rizzoli & Isles Role
In 2010, Ashley Judd was the original choice for Detective Jane Rizzoli in "Rizzoli & Isles" but declined the role.
2011: Co-starred in Dolphin Tale and Flypaper
In 2011, Ashley Judd co-starred in the family film "Dolphin Tale" and the film "Flypaper".
2011: Joined Leadership Council
In 2011, Ashley Judd joined the Leadership Council of the International Center for Research on Women and became involved with other organizations.
2011: Released Memoir
In 2011, Ashley Judd released her memoir, "All That is Bitter and Sweet", focusing on her life and humanitarian work.
2012: Delegate at Democratic Convention
In 2012, Ashley Judd represented Tennessee as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
2012: Starred in Missing
In 2012, Ashley Judd starred as Rebecca Winstone in the ABC series "Missing".
February 2013: Hinted at potential Senate run
In February 2013, Ashley Judd hinted at a potential run for the Senate by inviting her Twitter followers to join a mailing list where she might announce her candidacy.
March 27, 2013: Announced she would not run for Senate
On March 27, 2013, Ashley Judd announced that she would not run for the Senate, citing her need to focus on her family. She later endorsed Alison Lundergan Grimes.
2013: Divorce from Dario Franchitti
In 2013, Ashley Judd and Dario Franchitti divorced.
2013: Played First Lady in Olympus Has Fallen
In 2013, Ashley Judd played First Lady Margaret Asher in the action thriller "Olympus Has Fallen".
2014: Appeared in Divergent
In 2014, Ashley Judd appeared as Natalie Prior in "Divergent".
2014: Dolphin Tale 2 Sequel
In 2014, Ashley Judd co-starred in "Dolphin Tale 2", the sequel to the 2011 film.
2014: Considered Senate Run
In 2014, Ashley Judd considered challenging Senator Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, leading to an attack ad against her.
2014: Narrated Love Is a Verb
In 2014, Ashley Judd narrated the documentary film "Love Is a Verb", and became the first woman to narrate the opening for the Kentucky Derby telecast.
October 2015: Sexual Harassment Revelation
In October 2015, Ashley Judd told Variety about being sexually harassed by a studio mogul, without naming the person.
2015: Insurgent Role
In 2015, Ashley Judd reprised her role as Natalie Prior in "The Divergent Series: Insurgent".
July 26, 2016: Attended Creative Coalition luncheon
On July 26, 2016, Ashley Judd attended a Creative Coalition luncheon in support of DC Statehood during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, alongside other actors and public figures.
August 2016: Enrolled at UC Berkeley
In August 2016, Ashley Judd enrolled at UC Berkeley to pursue a PhD in Public Policy.
2016: Allegiant Role
In 2016, Ashley Judd appeared in "The Divergent Series: Allegiant", the penultimate film of the series.
2016: Goodwill Ambassador Appointment
In 2016, Ashley Judd was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, focusing on gender equality and reproductive health.
October 2017: Identified Harvey Weinstein
In October 2017, Ashley Judd identified Harvey Weinstein as the studio mogul who sexually harassed her during the filming of "Kiss the Girls".
April 30, 2018: Filed Lawsuit Against Weinstein
On April 30, 2018, Ashley Judd filed a defamation and sexual harassment lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein.
May 2018: Visited UNFPA Projects
As of May 2018, Ashley Judd had visited UNFPA's projects for women and girls in various countries affected by humanitarian crises.
January 2019: Defamation Claim Allowed
In January 2019, a federal judge dismissed Ashley Judd's sexual harassment claim against Harvey Weinstein but allowed her to pursue her defamation claim.
March 2019: Georgia Abortion Ban
In March 2019, Georgia passed a six-week abortion ban.
April 2019: Addressed Abortion Ban
In April 2019, Ashley Judd addressed Georgia's six-week abortion ban at the Women in the World summit, revealing she was a three-time rape survivor and had an abortion.
January 2020: Endorsed Elizabeth Warren
In January 2020, Ashley Judd publicly endorsed Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren in her run for the presidency.
February 2021: Jungle Accident
In February 2021, Ashley Judd shattered her leg while hiking in the jungle in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, requiring a 55-hour transport to a hospital in South Africa for surgery.
July 12, 2024: Called on Biden to suspend reelection campaign
On July 12, 2024, Ashley Judd published an op-ed in USA Today urging President Joe Biden to suspend his 2024 reelection campaign, criticizing his performance in a debate.
