How Brooke Shields built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Brooke Shields is an American actress and model who began her career as a child. She gained significant attention at the age of 12 for her role in the film "Pretty Baby," which featured nude scenes filmed when she was 11. Shields continued modeling and starred in dramas like "The Blue Lagoon" and "Endless Love" during the 1980s, establishing herself as a prominent figure in entertainment and pop culture.
1966: Started Modeling Career
In 1966, Brooke Shields began her career as a model at 11 months old, starting with a job for Ivory Soap, photographed by Francesco Scavullo.
1974: TV Debut in "After the Fall"
In 1974, Brooke Shields appeared in the TV adaptation of Arthur Miller's play "After the Fall", marking her debut in television acting.
1976: Film Debut in "Alice, Sweet Alice"
In 1976, Brooke Shields made her feature film debut in "Alice, Sweet Alice", portraying a young girl who is murdered.
September 26, 1977: Cover of New York Magazine
On September 26, 1977, Brooke Shields and her mother Teri appeared on the cover of New York Magazine, in a cover story about her modeling career.
1977: Role Cut in "Annie Hall"
In 1977, Brooke Shields worked with director Woody Allen in his film "Annie Hall", but her role was cut out of the final edit.
May 29, 1978: Cover of People Magazine
On May 29, 1978, Brooke Shields, 12, appeared on the cover of People magazine, with a headline discussing the controversy surrounding her role in "Pretty Baby".
1978: Starred in "Pretty Baby"
In 1978, Brooke Shields, at age 11, starred in Louis Malle's "Pretty Baby", playing a child in a brothel, causing significant controversy due to nude scenes.
1978: Starred in "Pretty Baby"
In 1978, Brooke Shields, at the age of 12, gained widespread notoriety for her leading role in Louis Malle's film "Pretty Baby", which featured nude scenes shot when she was 11 years old.
1978: Release of the Film "Pretty Baby"
In 1978, the film Pretty Baby was released, which caused intense media scrutiny for its depiction of Brooke Shields as a child actor in nude and sexual situations.
1979: Appeared in "Just You and Me, Kid"
In 1979, Brooke Shields appeared in "Just You and Me, Kid", including nude scenes and being portrayed as a hostage, for which she was paid $250,000.
1979: Appeared in "Wanda Nevada" and "Tilt"
In 1979, following "Pretty Baby", Brooke Shields appeared in the movies "Wanda Nevada" and "Tilt", furthering her early film career.
1980: Vogue Cover and Calvin Klein Ads
In 1980, Brooke Shields became the youngest fashion model to appear on the cover of Vogue and starred in controversial Calvin Klein jeans ads, famously saying, "You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing."
1980: Starred in "The Blue Lagoon"
In 1980, Brooke Shields starred in "The Blue Lagoon", continuing her career in dramas during her late teenage years.
1980: Starred in "The Blue Lagoon" and Appeared on "The Muppet Show"
In 1980, Brooke Shields starred in "The Blue Lagoon", which included nude scenes, and was the youngest guest star on "The Muppet Show".
February 9, 1981: Time Magazine Cover Story
On February 9, 1981, Time magazine reported that Brooke Shields' day rate as a model was $10,000, highlighting her success as a model and actress.
1981: Starred in "Endless Love" and Received Razzie Nomination
In 1981, Brooke Shields starred in "Endless Love", which initially received an X rating, and she received a Razzie Award nomination for worst actress for her performance.
1981: Starred in "Endless Love"
In 1981, Brooke Shields starred in Franco Zeffirelli's "Endless Love", further establishing her acting career.
1981: Hosted ABC's "Fridays"
In 1981, Brooke Shields was the youngest person to host ABC's "Fridays", a sketch comedy show similar to Saturday Night Live.
1981: "Alice, Sweet Alice" Re-Released
In 1981, the film "Alice, Sweet Alice" was re-released, capitalizing on Brooke Shields' rising fame at the time.
1983: Appeared on Vogue Covers
In 1983, Brooke Shields appeared on the cover of Paris Vogue, American Vogue (October and November issues), and Italian Vogue, marking a peak in her modeling career.
1983: Starred in "Sahara"
In 1983, Brooke Shields starred in "Sahara" for a reported fee of $1 million or $1.5 million; the movie was a critical and financial failure.
1985: Published Autobiography "On Your Own"
In 1985, Brooke Shields published her autobiography, "On Your Own", sharing her personal story.
1986: Shot "Brenda Starr"
In 1986, Brooke Shields shot the movie "Brenda Starr", although it faced legal problems and delays.
1987: Intended Release of Brenda Starr
In 1987, "Brenda Starr" was intended to be released, but was held up over legal problems.
1989: Brenda Starr Movie
In 1989, Brooke Shields starred as Brenda Starr; however, the movie was shot in 1986, intended for a 1987 release, and held up for years.
1993: Guest Appearance on "The Simpsons"
In 1993, Brooke Shields made a guest appearance in an episode of "The Simpsons" called "The Front".
1993: Release of "Brenda Starr"
In 1993, after years of delays, Brooke Shields' movie "Brenda Starr" was finally released, but it was poorly received by critics and at the box office.
1994: Starred in "Grease" on Broadway
In 1994, Brooke Shields starred as Rizzo in the Broadway revival of "Grease".
1996: Appeared on "Friends" and Cast in "Suddenly Susan"
In 1996, Brooke Shields appeared on "Friends" and was cast in "Suddenly Susan", marking a significant return to television acting.
1996: Starred in "Suddenly Susan"
In 1996, Brooke Shields starred in the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan", marking a return to acting in a prominent role.
1998: Played Lily in "The Misadventures of Margaret"
In 1998, Brooke Shields played the character Lily, a lesbian, in "The Misadventures of Margaret."
2000: Continues in "Suddenly Susan"
In 2000, Brooke Shields continued starring in "Suddenly Susan", completing her tenure in the sitcom.
2000: Continued Starring in "Suddenly Susan"
In 2000, Brooke Shields continued to star in the NBC sitcom "Suddenly Susan", completing her tenure on the show.
July 2001: Portrayed Sally Bowles in "Cabaret"
Beginning in July 2001, Brooke Shields portrayed Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of "Cabaret" for four months.
September 2004: Revival of Wonderful Town
In September 2004, Brooke Shields replaced Donna Murphy in the revival of Wonderful Town. Her performance received praise, although she was compared to her predecessor.
2004: Recurring Guest Appearances on That '70s Show
In 2004, Brooke Shields appeared on That '70s Show as Pam Burkhart, Jackie's mother. Her character had a brief relationship with Donna's father before being written out of the show in 2004.
2004: Hannah Montana Role
In 2004, the character of Miley Stewart's mother, played by Brooke Shields, passed away on Hannah Montana.
April 2005: Played Roxie Hart in Chicago
In April 2005, Brooke Shields starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End.
2005: Appeared in HBO's Entourage
In 2005, Brooke Shields appeared in an episode of HBO's Entourage.
2006: Published "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression"
In 2006, Brooke Shields authored Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression, detailing her personal experience.
2007: Guest Appearance on Hannah Montana
In 2007, Brooke Shields appeared on Disney's Hannah Montana, playing Miley Stewart's deceased mother.
2008: Starred in Lipstick Jungle
In 2008, Brooke Shields returned to prime time drama with Lipstick Jungle.
2008: Starred in "Lipstick Jungle"
In 2008, Brooke Shields starred in the NBC sitcom "Lipstick Jungle", adding another sitcom to her acting credits.
2009: Continued starring in "Lipstick Jungle"
In 2009, Brooke Shields continued to star in the NBC sitcom "Lipstick Jungle", completing her tenure on the show.
2010: Guest Appearances on The Middle and Who Do You Think You Are?
Starting in 2010, Brooke Shields made guest appearances on The Middle. In the same year, she appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?, where it was revealed she is distantly related to French royalty.
June 28, 2011: Took Over Role in The Addams Family
On June 28, 2011, Brooke Shields began playing Morticia Addams in The Addams Family on Broadway.
2013: Guest Co-Host on Today and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Role
Starting in 2013, Brooke Shields began occasionally co-hosting Today on NBC. In the same year, she had a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2014: Voiced Beverly Goodman in "Mr. Pickles"
In 2014, Brooke Shields voiced Beverly Goodman in the Adult Swim animated series "Mr. Pickles", expanding her voice acting roles.
2015: Published "There Was a Little Girl"
In 2015, Brooke Shields published There Was a Little Girl, a book about her relationship with her mother.
2017: Returned to NBC with "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
In 2017, Brooke Shields returned to NBC with a major recurring role in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", marking a return to dramatic television.
2019: Voiced Beverly Goodman in "Mr. Pickles" spin-off
In 2019, Brooke Shields voiced Beverly Goodman in the "Mr. Pickles" spin-off "Momma Named Me Sheriff", continuing her voice acting work.
2022: Launched Podcast "Now What?"
In 2022, Brooke Shields launched a podcast titled Now What?, which focuses on how people respond to adversity.
April 2023: Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields Documentary Aired
In April 2023, the documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, exploring Brooke Shields' life and career, aired on Hulu.
2024: Elected President of Actors' Equity Association and Starred in Mother of the Bride
In 2024, Brooke Shields was elected the president of the Actors' Equity Association and starred in Mother of the Bride.
2025: Published "Brooke Shields is not Allowed to Get Old"
In 2025, Brooke Shields published Brooke Shields is not Allowed to Get Old about aging as a woman.