Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman
Name	Nicole Kidman
Caption	Kidman at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017
Birth name	Nicole Mary Kidman
Birth date	20 June 1967
Birth place	Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, producer
Yearsactive	1983–present
Spouse	Tom Cruise (m. 1990; div. 2001), Keith Urban (m. 2006)
Awards	Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards

Nicole Kidman is an Australian and American actress and producer, renowned as one of the highest-paid performers in the world. She gained international fame in the late 1980s and 1990s through roles in films like Dead Calm and Days of Thunder, before achieving critical acclaim for her work in ''Moulin Rouge!'' and The Hours, the latter earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress. A prolific artist across film and television, she is also known for her philanthropic efforts and long-standing role as a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women.

Early life and education

Born in Honolulu to Australian parents, she was raised in Sydney alongside her younger sister Antonia Kidman. Her father, Antony Kidman, was a biochemist and clinical psychologist, while her mother, Janelle Kidman, was a nursing instructor. She attended Lane Cove Public School and later North Sydney Girls' High School, showing an early passion for the performing arts. She trained in ballet and mime from a young age and studied at the Australian Theatre for Young People before enrolling at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Career

Her early career featured Australian films such as Bush Christmas and BMX Bandits, leading to breakthrough acclaim in the thriller Dead Calm. Hollywood success followed with roles in Days of Thunder and ''Far and Away'', opposite Tom Cruise. The 1990s saw diverse projects including ''Batman Forever'', the dark comedy To Die For, which won her a Golden Globe Award, and the musical Moulin Rouge!. Her transformative performance as Virginia Woolf in The Hours won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Later acclaimed work includes Rabbit Hole, Lion, and television series like Big Little Lies, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award.

Personal life

She was married to actor Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001; they adopted two children, Isabella Jane Cruise and Connor Cruise. Following their divorce, she married country music singer Keith Urban in 2006 in Sydney; they have two daughters together. The family divides time between residences in Nashville, Sydney, and New York City. She is a practicing Catholic and has been open about her experiences with fertility struggles and miscarriage.

Public image and media portrayal

Often described as one of the most beautiful and elegant stars in Hollywood, her distinctive pale complexion and red hair have been frequently analyzed in the media. Her high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and subsequent divorce were subjects of intense global media scrutiny. She has been a frequent face on international best-dressed lists and is a longtime ambassador for the luxury fragrance brand Chanel No. 5. Her career choices and advocacy for complex female roles have solidified her reputation as a serious and powerful figure in the entertainment industry.

Filmography and accolades

With a career spanning over four decades, her extensive filmography includes major studio productions and independent films. Notable credits include The Others, Cold Mountain, Australia, The Paperboy, and The Northman. Her television work on Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers has been highly awarded. Her accolades include an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. She has also received honors like the AFI Life Achievement Award and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Philanthropy and activism

A dedicated humanitarian, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women in 2006, focusing on violence against women and gender equality. She is a founding member of the United Nations' Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund. She has supported numerous charities, including the Australian Childhood Foundation, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Alongside Keith Urban, she has been a major donor to the Sydney Children's Hospital and contributed significantly to disaster relief efforts in Australia following the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season.

Category:Australian film actresses Category:American film actresses Category:Academy Award winners