Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brooke Shields

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 included nude scenes shot when she was 11. Shields continued modeling into her late teens and starred in dramas such as *The Blue Lagoon* and *Endless Love* in the 1980s, establishing herself as a prominent figure in entertainment and pop culture.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1978: Release of Pretty Baby

The 1978 release of the film Pretty Baby, in which Brooke Shields was filmed nude and in sexual situations as a child actor, led to intense media scrutiny.

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September 2004: Role of Ruth Sherwood in Wonderful Town

In September 2004, Brooke Shields took over the role of Ruth Sherwood in the 2003 revival of Wonderful Town. Critics praised her performance for the "goofy sweetness" she brought to the role.

2004: Recurring guest appearances on That '70s Show

In 2004, Brooke Shields played Pam Burkhart on That '70s Show, a recurring guest role. She played Jackie's mother, who briefly had a relationship with Donna's father. Her character was eventually written out of the show.

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2004: Death of Susan Stewart in Hannah Montana

In 2004, the character Susan Stewart, played by Brooke Shields in a guest appearance in 2007, died in the show 'Hannah Montana'.

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April 2005: Roxie Hart in Chicago

In April 2005, Brooke Shields played Roxie Hart in a long-running production of Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End.

May 2005: Publicizing battle with postpartum depression

Between April and May 2005, Brooke Shields spoke to magazines and appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to publicize her battle with postpartum depression, an experience that included depression, thoughts of suicide, an inability to respond to her baby's needs and delayed maternal bonding.

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July 1, 2005: Publication of 'War of Words' op-ed

On July 1, 2005, Brooke Shields responded to Tom Cruise's attacks with an op-ed titled "War of Words", published in The New York Times. She defended her use of medication for postpartum depression and advocated for its social acceptance.

2005: Appearance on Entourage

In 2005, Brooke Shields appeared in a second-season episode of HBO's Entourage, entitled "Blue Balls Lagoon".

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2006: Publication of Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression

In 2006, Brooke Shields penned the book Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression.

2007: Guest appearance on Hannah Montana

In 2007, Brooke Shields made a guest appearance on Disney's Hannah Montana, playing Susan Stewart, the mother of Miley Stewart.

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2008: Return in Lipstick Jungle

In 2008, Brooke Shields returned in the prime time drama Lipstick Jungle. The series ended a year later.

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2010: Guest Appearances on The Middle

Starting in 2010, Brooke Shields made guest appearances on The Middle. She also appeared as a featured celebrity in NBC's genealogy documentary reality series, Who Do You Think You Are?, where it was revealed that she is the distant cousin of King Louis XIV of France.

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June 28, 2011: Role of Morticia Addams in The Addams Family

On June 28, 2011, Brooke Shields took over the role of Morticia Addams in the Broadway musical The Addams Family.

2013: Guest Co-Host on Today and role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Starting in 2013, Brooke Shields has been an occasional guest co-host in the 9:00 hour of Today on NBC. She also recurred during Season Nineteen of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Sheila Porter.

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2015: Publication of There Was a Little Girl

In 2015, Brooke Shields published There Was a Little Girl about the relationship she had with her mother, who suffered from alcoholism throughout Shields's life.

There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me

Check it on Amazon

2022: Launch of Now What? podcast

In 2022, Brooke Shields launched a podcast called Now What? focusing on how people respond to adversity.

January 2023: Pretty Baby documentary

In January 2023, the documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields was released, inspired by the 1978 film of the same name.

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March 2023: Vogue profile

In March 2023, a Vogue profile of Brooke Shields included discussion of the 1978 film Pretty Baby.

April 2023: Release of Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields documentary

In April 2023, the two-part documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, directed by Lana Wilson, aired on Hulu. The series explores Brooke Shields's journey from a sexualized young girl to a woman discovering her power.

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2024: President of the 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 the Netflix film Mother of the Bride opposite Miranda Cosgrove.

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