Catherine Zeta-Jones is a British actress, winner of awards: "Oscar", British Academy, Actors Guild, European Film Academy. Three times nominated for the Golden Globe. She has more than a hundred roles in film and television.
For the first time on stage, the actress appeared at the age of ten and has been pleasing fans with her talent for more than thirty years. Today she is one of the most famous and wealthy representatives of Hollywood cinema.
The worldwide success of Zete-Jones was brought about by her role in The Mask of Zorro, where she co-starred with Antonio Banderas.
Biography facts
The girl was born in England in the fall of 1969. The family had nothing to do with creativity. My father was the owner of a small confectionery factory, and my mother worked as a seamstress. Katherine has an older brother, David, and a younger brother, Lyndon. Her ancestors were from Ireland and the UK.
Not many people know that Zeta is the middle name given in honor of the paternal grandmother, and not part of the surname. Interestingly, the grandfather of the future star was a sailor on a ship called Zeta.
As a child, the baby suffered a serious viral disease that caused breathing difficulties. To save the child, a tracheotomy operation was required, which left a scar on his neck. Until now, Catherine has not removed this scar. She has said more than once that he reminds her of the frailty of existence.
From an early age, the girl was carried away by creativity. At the age of four, she sang in a Catholic choir. Then she played in school productions, took vocal lessons, attended a music school and a choreographic studio. At the age of ten, she already performed on the theater stage. At eleven she played in the play "Annie", and two years later she made her debut in the famous show "Bugsy Malone".
When the girl turned fourteen, she was seen by the famous actor Mickey Dolenz, touring the country with a musical. For the performance, teenagers were required in every city where the theater troupe came. Kat auditioned and was cast in a small role.
Catherine's voice and acting talent literally captivated the producer. She was offered to come to London to take part in the production of a new musical performance.
At the age of fifteen, she already played in the play "42nd Street" on the stage of a theater in London. At first, Zeta-Jones was only the second understudy of the leading role. When the stage star and the first understudy got sick, she was lucky to perform for the first time in the main line-up. The debut turned out to be successful: the young actress was entrusted with playing the main role throughout the season.
Catherine was also successful on British television. In 1991, she starred in the project "Delicate May Flowers" and earned the love of the audience, who called her one of the most attractive actresses in England.
Film career
After a successful television debut, Catherine received an offer to play in the American film The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, and then in the TV series Catherine the Great. Soon, Zeta-Jones decided to move to the United States to pursue a creative career there.
Fate was favorable to the young talent. She quickly landed a role in the TV show "Titanic", at the premiere of which she was noticed by the famous director of the film "The Mask of Zorro". He liked the game of Zeta-Jones so much that he immediately invited her to the shooting. As a result, even without passing the casting, Katherine got the main role.
Preparation for work lasted several months. During this time, the future screen star took dance lessons, improving her skills, and also learned fencing.
It is interesting that it was at the premiere screening of the movie that Catherine met her future husband, Michael Douglas. He immediately drew attention to her and even joked that he would like to become the father of their common children. True, the girl did not appreciate the compliment, and for a long time tried to stay away from the actor.
Michael, however, decided by all means to achieve her location and began to constantly send gifts and flowers. This courtship lasted almost six months. As a result, Douglas managed to win the beauty's heart.
Almost immediately after the divorce from their first wife, to whom Douglas left a third of his fortune, the couple announced their engagement. In 2000, a wedding ceremony took place. By this time, Douglas and Zeta-Jones had already become the happy parents of their first child. Michael presented his beloved with an engagement ring, which, according to some reports, cost two million dollars.
Further creative career of the actress began to develop rapidly. She consolidated her success in the film "Trap", where she played along with the famous Sean Connery, demonstrating on the screen not only acting skills, but also amazing body control. The screen star performed almost all the stunts in the film on her own.
The next role of Velma Kelly in the musical "Chicago" brought Zeta-Jones an Oscar. At the awards ceremony, she said that her dream has finally become a reality.
Just a few weeks after the presentation of the award, Katherine became a mother. But already three months after the birth of the baby, she reappeared on the set.
Zeta-Jones was considered for the lead role in another cult musical - "Moulin Rouge", but the director chose Nicole Kidman.
Katherine could play in the famous action movie "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with Brad Pitt, but the director approved Angelina Jolie. Brad nevertheless became a partner of Catherine in another project - "Ocean's Twelve".
Actress fees
Zeta Jones is one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood. In addition, she successfully starred in commercials.
In 2006, Zeta-Jones was awarded a two-year contract with T-Mobile. The company paid her $ 20 million.
The largest fees Catherine Zeta Jones received for her work in films: "Traffic" - $ 3 million, "America's Favorite" - 5 million, "Chicago" - 8 million, "The Legend of Zorro" - 10 million.
