Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Katherine Heigl

How Katherine Heigl built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Katherine Heigl is an American actress best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010. Her performance garnered significant recognition, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2007. She has starred in numerous films and television series.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1992: Film Debut in That Night

In 1992, Katherine Heigl made her film debut in "That Night."

1994: Appearance in My Father the Hero

In 1994, Katherine Heigl appeared in the film "My Father the Hero."

1995: Appearance in Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

In 1995, Katherine Heigl appeared in "Under Siege 2: Dark Territory."

1996: Appearance in Wish Upon a Star

In 1996, Katherine Heigl appeared in "Wish Upon a Star."

1997: Move to Malibu Canyon with Mother

After graduating high school in 1997, Katherine Heigl moved into a house in Malibu Canyon, California, with her mother, who also became her manager.

1997: Release of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

In 1997 the movie Romy and Michele's High School Reunion was released.

1998: Appearance in Bride of Chucky

In 1998, Katherine Heigl appeared in "Bride of Chucky."

1998: Co-starred in The Tempest and Bride of Chucky

In 1998, Katherine Heigl co-starred with Peter Fonda in the television movie "The Tempest" and starred in the horror film "Bride of Chucky".

1999: Katherine Heigl joins Roswell

In 1999, Katherine Heigl landed the role of Isabel Evans on The WB television series Roswell.

2001: Katherine Heigl appears in 100 girls

In 2001, Katherine Heigl appeared in the independent film 100 Girls.

2002: End of Roswell series

Katherine Heigl concluded her role as Isabel Evans in the TV series Roswell in 2002.

October 2003: Casting in The Ringer

In October 2003, Katherine Heigl was cast opposite Johnny Knoxville in "The Ringer".

2003: Release of Critical Assembly

The film "Ground Zero", which was shelved after the 9/11 attacks, was released in 2003 under the title "Critical Assembly", starring Katherine Heigl.

2004: Filming of Zyzzyx Road

In 2004, Katherine Heigl filmed "Zyzzyx Road."

December 2005: Release of The Ringer

Katherine Heigl's movie "The Ringer", which she was cast in in 2003, was released in December 2005.

2005: Katherine Heigl joins Grey's Anatomy

In 2005, Katherine Heigl began playing Dr. Izzie Stevens on the ABC television medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

2006: Katherine Heigl appears in Zyzzyx Road

In 2006, Katherine Heigl appeared in the film "Zyzzyx Road".

2006: Release of Zyzzyx Road

In 2006, the film "Zyzzyx Road", which was filmed in 2004, was released.

June 2007: Theatrical Release of Knocked Up

In June 2007, "Knocked Up", starring Katherine Heigl, was theatrically released, receiving positive reviews and becoming a box office success.

2007: Katherine Heigl stars in Knocked Up

In 2007, Katherine Heigl starred in the commercially successful romantic comedy film "Knocked Up".

2008: Katherine Heigl stars in 27 Dresses

In 2008, Katherine Heigl starred in the romantic comedy film "27 Dresses".

2008: Starring in 27 Dresses

In 2008, Katherine Heigl starred with James Marsden in the film "27 Dresses", and she was announced as the Most Desirable Woman of 2008, according to AskMen.

2009: Katherine Heigl stars in The Ugly Truth

In 2009, Katherine Heigl starred in the romantic comedy film "The Ugly Truth".

2009: Starring in The Ugly Truth

In 2009, Katherine Heigl starred with Gerard Butler in "The Ugly Truth".

March 11, 2010: Departure from Grey's Anatomy

On March 11, 2010, Katherine Heigl reportedly did not show up for work on Grey's Anatomy, leading to an agreement to release her from her contract.

June 2010: Starring in Killers

In June 2010, Katherine Heigl starred in the Lionsgate comedy-thriller "Killers", with Ashton Kutcher.

2010: Katherine Heigl Leaves Grey's Anatomy

In 2010, Katherine Heigl departed from Grey's Anatomy, where she played Dr. Izzie Stevens since 2005.

2010: Katherine Heigl stars in Killers and Life As We Know It

In 2010, Katherine Heigl starred in the films "Killers" and "Life As We Know It".

2010: Presidential Service Award

In 2010, Katherine Heigl was honored with the "Presidential Service Award" by ASPCA for her work and dedication to animal welfare.

2011: Appearance in New Year's Eve

In 2011, Katherine Heigl appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy "New Year's Eve".

2011: Katherine Heigl stars in New Year's Eve

In 2011, Katherine Heigl appeared in the film "New Year's Eve".

2011: "I Hate Balls" Campaign Launch

In 2011, Katherine Heigl launched the "I Hate Balls" Campaign, promoting the spaying and neutering of pets to save the lives of companion animals.

January 2012: Desire to Return to Grey's Anatomy

In January 2012, Katherine Heigl expressed her desire to reprise her role on "Grey's Anatomy" and wrap up Izzie's storyline.

2012: Lead Role in One for the Money

In 2012, Katherine Heigl had the lead role in "One for the Money".

2012: Katherine Heigl stars in One for the Money

In 2012, Katherine Heigl starred in the film "One for the Money".

2012: Heigl's PETA Letter

In 2012, Katherine Heigl, on behalf of PETA, signed a letter urging Utah legislators to reject a law that would criminalize undercover filming in factory farms.

June 2013: Commercial for Vicks' ZzzQuil

In June 2013, Katherine Heigl began appearing in a television commercial for Vicks' ZzzQuil.

2013: Katherine Heigl stars in The Big Wedding

In 2013, Katherine Heigl starred in the film "The Big Wedding".

January 17, 2014: The Nut Job Release

On January 17, 2014, Katherine Heigl voiced the squirrel Andie in the animated film 'The Nut Job', marking her involvement in an animated feature film.

2014: Heigl's Animal Rescue Efforts

As of 2014, Katherine Heigl had eight dogs of her own, and her organization Heigl's Hounds of Hope rescues and rehabilitates larger dogs with behavioral problems from shelters.

2014: Reflection on Romantic Comedy Roles

In 2014, Katherine Heigl admitted to Marie Claire magazine that she felt she had overdone romantic comedies.

2014: Katherine Heigl stars in Jackie & Ryan

In 2014, Katherine Heigl appeared in the film "Jackie & Ryan."

2014: Executive Producer of State of Affairs and Voice Role in The Nut Job

In 2014, Katherine Heigl was an executive producer for the NBC television series State of Affairs and voiced a character in the animated film "The Nut Job".

2014: State of Affairs Cancellation

In 2014, the NBC political drama series 'State of Affairs', in which Katherine Heigl played a lead role, was cancelled after just one season.

2015: Katherine Heigl stars in Home Sweet Hell and Jenny's Wedding

In 2015, Katherine Heigl starred in the films "Home Sweet Hell" and "Jenny's Wedding".

2015: Executive Producer of State of Affairs

In 2015, Katherine Heigl was an executive producer for the NBC television series State of Affairs.

2017: Katherine Heigl stars in Unforgettable

In 2017, Katherine Heigl starred in the film "Unforgettable".

2017: Katherine Heigl voices in The Nut Job 2

In 2017, Katherine Heigl voiced characters in "The Nut Job 2".

2017: Doubt Cancellation

In 2017, Katherine Heigl's CBS legal drama 'Doubt' was cancelled after only two episodes due to low ratings.

2018: Katherine Heigl joins Suits

In 2018, Katherine Heigl had a main role in the final two seasons of the USA Network legal drama series "Suits".

2019: Katherine Heigl continues role in Suits

In 2019, Katherine Heigl continued her main role in the final season of the USA Network legal drama series "Suits".

December 2020: Katherine Heigl to star and executive produce "Woodhull"

In December 2020, it was announced that Katherine Heigl would star and executive produce the limited series 'Woodhull', portraying Victoria Woodhull, the first female candidate for the presidency of the United States.

2021: Katherine Heigl Stars in Firefly Lane

In 2021, Katherine Heigl starred in the Netflix series "Firefly Lane".

2021: Firefly Lane Release and Renewal

In 2021, the Netflix show 'Firefly Lane', starring Katherine Heigl, was released and became a success, leading to its renewal for a second season.

2023: Firefly Lane ends

In 2023, the Netflix series Firefly Lane, starring Katherine Heigl, concluded.

2023: Heigl and Pompeo Reunite at Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

In the summer of 2023, Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo reunited at Variety Studio: Actors on Actors, where they discussed their time on 'Grey's Anatomy' and Heigl's departure from the show, with Heigl reflecting on the negative reaction she received for speaking out.