Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kate Beckinsale
Discover the career path of Kate Beckinsale, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Kate Beckinsale is an English actress, the daughter of actors Richard Beckinsale and Judy Loe. Her acting career began with a debut in the 1975 daytime drama 'Couples'.
1975: Television Debut in Couples
In 1975, Kate Beckinsale made her debut in the series premiere of the daytime drama "Couples".
1991: Television Debut in Devices and Desires
In 1991, Kate Beckinsale made her television debut with a small part in an ITV adaptation of P. D. James' "Devices and Desires".
1992: Starred in Rachel's Dream
In 1992, Kate Beckinsale starred alongside Christopher Eccleston in "Rachel's Dream," a 30‑minute Channel 4 short.
1993: Appeared in Anna Lee
In 1993, Kate Beckinsale appeared in the pilot of the ITV detective series, "Anna Lee", starring Imogen Stubbs.
1993: Theatrical Film Debut in Much Ado About Nothing
In 1993, Kate Beckinsale made her theatrical film debut with a role in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing" while studying at the University of Oxford.
1993: Role of Hero in Much Ado About Nothing
In 1993, Kate Beckinsale played the role of Hero in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing", filmed in Tuscany during her summer holiday from the University of Oxford. The film grossed over $22 million at the box office.
1994: Appeared in Prince of Jutland and Uncovered
In 1994, Kate Beckinsale appeared as Christian Bale's love interest in "Prince of Jutland" and starred in the murder mystery "Uncovered" while at university.
1994: Starring role in Prince of Jutland
In 1994, Kate Beckinsale played a leading role in the British costume drama "Prince of Jutland".
1995: Starred in Haunted and The Seagull
In 1995, Kate Beckinsale appeared in the ghost story "Haunted", and made her first professional stage appearance as Nina in "The Seagull" at Theatre Royal, Bath, beginning a romantic relationship with costar Michael Sheen.
1995: Leading role in Cold Comfort Farm
In 1995, Kate Beckinsale played a leading role in the British costume drama "Cold Comfort Farm".
1995: Filmed Marie-Louise ou la permission
In 1995, while studying in Paris, Kate Beckinsale filmed the French language movie "Marie-Louise ou la permission".
1996: Leading role in Emma
In 1996, Kate Beckinsale played a leading role in the British costume drama "Emma".
1996: Starred in ITV Adaptation of Emma
In 1996, Kate Beckinsale starred in an ITV adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma", playing Emma to Mark Strong's Mr Knightley and Samantha Morton's Harriet Smith. The programme was aired in autumn 1996.
1996: Starred in Sweetheart and Clocks and Whistles
In early 1996, Kate Beckinsale starred in two further plays, "Sweetheart" at the Royal Court Theatre and "Clocks and Whistles" at the Bush Theatre.
1997: Voicing Romeo and Juliet Audiobook
In 1997, Kate Beckinsale and Michael Sheen voiced an audiobook production of "Romeo and Juliet".
1997: Appeared in Shooting Fish and Narrated Audiobooks
In 1997, Kate Beckinsale appeared in "Shooting Fish", narrated Austen's "Emma" for Hodder & Stoughton AudioBooks, Diana Hendry's "The Proposal" for BBC Radio 4, and played Juliet in an audio production of "Romeo and Juliet".
1997: Appearance in "Waltz Away Dreaming" Music Video
In 1997, Kate Beckinsale appeared in the music video for George Michael's "Waltz Away Dreaming."
July 1998: Starred in Alice Through the Looking-Glass
In July 1998, Kate Beckinsale starred as Alice in Channel 4's "Alice Through the Looking-Glass", which was her last film before moving to the US.
1998: Starred in The Last Days of Disco
In 1998, Kate Beckinsale starred opposite Chloë Sevigny in "The Last Days of Disco". Her performance earned her a London Critics' Circle Film Award.
1999: Appeared in Brokedown Palace
In 1999, Kate Beckinsale appeared opposite Claire Danes in "Brokedown Palace", a drama about two young Americans dealing with the Thai justice system.
2000: Leading role in The Golden Bowl
In 2000, Kate Beckinsale played a leading role in the British costume drama "The Golden Bowl".
2001: Leading Role in Pearl Harbor
In 2001, Kate Beckinsale rose to fame with a leading role in the war film "Pearl Harbor".
2001: Leading roles in Pearl Harbor and Serendipity
In 2001, Kate Beckinsale starred in "Pearl Harbor" and "Serendipity".
2001: Appearance in Serendipity
In 2001, Kate Beckinsale's second film appearance was in the romantic comedy "Serendipity", as the love interest of John Cusack. It was filmed directly after Pearl Harbor.
2002: Starred in Laurel Canyon
In 2002, Kate Beckinsale starred in Lisa Cholodenko's Laurel Canyon, playing a strait-laced academic attracted to her future mother-in-law. While Frances McDormand's performance received praise, Beckinsale's performance received negative reviews.
2002: Gap Television Advertisement
In 2002, Kate Beckinsale starred opposite Orlando Bloom in a Gap television advertisement directed by Cameron Crowe.
2003: Footage from Underworld used in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
In 2003 footage of Kate Beckinsale from Underworld was used in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans released in 2009, in which she made a cameo.
2003: Starred in Underworld and Tiptoes
In 2003, Kate Beckinsale starred as a vampire in Underworld, marking a shift to action roles. Also in 2003, she starred in Tiptoes with Gary Oldman and Matthew McConaughey.
2003: Cast as Selene in Underworld
In 2003, Kate Beckinsale took the role of Selene in the Underworld film series, transitioning to action films.
2004: Diet Coke Television Advertisement
In 2004, Kate Beckinsale appeared in a Diet Coke television advertisement directed by Michel Gondry.
2004: Portrayed Ava Gardner in The Aviator
In 2004, Kate Beckinsale portrayed Ava Gardner in Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic, The Aviator. Her performance received mixed reviews, with some critics praising her portrayal and others finding it lacking.
2004: Starred in Van Helsing
In 2004, Kate Beckinsale starred in the action film "Van Helsing".
2004: Interview about Pearl Harbor comments
In a 2004 interview, Kate Beckinsale addressed comments made by Michael Bay during the filming of Pearl Harbor, noting they were "upsetting".
2006: Reprised role in Underworld: Evolution and starred in Click
In 2006, Kate Beckinsale reprised her role as Selene in Underworld: Evolution, directed by her husband, Len Wiseman. Her daughter had a small role. Also in 2006, she starred in Click, a comedy with Adam Sandler and Christopher Walken.
2006: Starred in Click
In 2006, Kate Beckinsale starred in the film "Click".
2007: Appearance in Project "Speechless" Video
In 2007, Kate Beckinsale appeared alongside David Schwimmer in the sixth of the Writers Guild of America member-conceived Internet videos for Project "Speechless," in support of the WGA labor strike.
2007: Appeared in Vacancy
In 2007, Kate Beckinsale appeared alongside Luke Wilson in Vacancy, a thriller set in an isolated motel. Her performance garnered mixed reviews.
2007: Starred in Snow Angels
In 2007, Kate Beckinsale earned praise for her role in the small-scale drama "Snow Angels".
2008: Appeared in Winged Creatures
In 2008, Kate Beckinsale appeared in Winged Creatures, a film about how six witnesses cope with a shooting's aftermath. Her performance received mixed reviews and the film had a limited release.
2008: Starred in Nothing but the Truth
In 2008, Kate Beckinsale earned praise for her role in the small-scale drama "Nothing but the Truth".
2008: Hosting the 4th Annual Pink Party
In 2008, Kate Beckinsale hosted the 4th Annual Pink Party to raise funds for the Women's Cancer Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
2009: Absolut Vodka Print Campaign
In 2009, Kate Beckinsale advertised Absolut Vodka in a print campaign photographed by Ellen von Unwerth.
2009: Starred in Whiteout and Everybody's Fine
In 2009, Kate Beckinsale starred in "Whiteout" and "Everybody's Fine".
2009: Starred in Whiteout and made a cameo in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
In 2009, Kate Beckinsale starred in Whiteout, a comic-book adaptation, and made a cameo appearance in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, using footage from the 2003 film.
2009: Starred in Everybody's Fine
In 2009, Kate Beckinsale starred in the family drama Everybody's Fine alongside Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, and Rockwell.
2011: Statement on Michael Bay
In 2011, Kate Beckinsale stated that she was "very fond" of Michael Bay.
2012: Appearance in Funny or Die Video
In 2012, Kate Beckinsale appeared in the Funny or Die video "Republicans, Get in My Vagina," a satire of the Republican Party's policies concerning abortion and prenatal care.
2012: Appeared in Total Recall remake
In 2012, Kate Beckinsale appeared in the sci-fi action remake Total Recall, directed by her husband, Len Wiseman. The film and her performance received mainly negative reviews.
2012: Joining Nestlé's Share the Joy of Reading Program
In 2012, Kate Beckinsale joined Nestlé's Share the Joy of Reading Program to raise awareness about the importance of literacy.
2012: Starred in Contraband
In 2012, Kate Beckinsale returned to acting with Contraband, playing the wife of Mark Wahlberg's character. Her performance received mixed reviews.
2012: Starred in Contraband and Total Recall
In 2012, Kate Beckinsale starred in the action films "Contraband" and "Total Recall".
2013: Starred in The Trials of Cate McCall
In 2013, Kate Beckinsale starred in the legal thriller The Trials of Cate McCall, which received negative reviews. She also appeared in Stonehearst Asylum.
2014: Provided voice for Queen Ayrenn in The Elder Scrolls Online
In 2014, Kate Beckinsale provided the voice for Queen Ayrenn in The Elder Scrolls Online video game.
2014: Starred in The Face of an Angel and appeared on Monty Python's Best Bits
In 2014, Kate Beckinsale starred in The Face of an Angel. She also appeared on Monty Python's Best Bits, discussing her favorite comedy sketch.
2015: Starred in Absolutely Anything
In 2015, Kate Beckinsale starred alongside Simon Pegg in Absolutely Anything, a poorly received British comedy. Her performance was criticized.
2016: Starring in The Disappointments Room and Underworld: Blood Wars
In 2016, Kate Beckinsale starred in the horror film "The Disappointments Room", which was panned by critics and flopped at the box office. Also in 2016, she returned as Selene in "Underworld: Blood Wars", which grossed $81.1 million worldwide.
2016: Love & Friendship Premiere and Role
In 2016, Kate Beckinsale starred in the romantic comedy "Love & Friendship", which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She played the lead role of a calculating widow. The film received universal acclaim and commercial success.
2016: End of Underworld Film Series and starring in Love & Friendship
In 2016, the Underworld film series concluded and Kate Beckinsale earned praise for her role in the small-scale drama "Love & Friendship".
2017: Starred in The Only Living Boy in New York
In 2017, Kate Beckinsale earned praise for her role in the small-scale drama "The Only Living Boy in New York".
2018: Starring as Ingrid Carpenter in Farming
In 2018, Kate Beckinsale starred as Ingrid Carpenter in the British film "Farming".
2019: Returned to Television in The Widow
In 2019, Kate Beckinsale returned to television in the limited series "The Widow".
2019: Starring in The Widow
In 2019, Kate Beckinsale starred in "The Widow", her first TV series in over 20 years, playing an Englishwoman who believes her husband is still alive.
July 2021: Release of Jolt
In July 2021, the American action comedy film "Jolt", starring Kate Beckinsale, was released by Amazon Studios.
2021: Starred in Jolt
In 2021, Kate Beckinsale starred in the action film "Jolt".
2021: Announcement of Starring Role in Prisoner's Daughter
In 2021, it was announced that Kate Beckinsale would star in the Catherine Hardwicke-directed family drama "Prisoner's Daughter".
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