Elegant redhead Nicole Kidman, known as one of Hollywood's top Australian imports, was actually born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Anthony (a biochemist and clinical psychologist) and Janelle (a nursing instructor) Kidman. The family moved almost immediately to Washington, DC, where Nicole's father pursued his research on breast cancer, and then, three years later, made the pilgrimage to her parents' native Sydney. Young Nicole's first love was ballet, but she eventually took up mime and drama as well (her first stage role was a bleating sheep in an elementary school Christmas pageant). In her adolescent years, acting edged out the other arts and became a kind of refuge -- as her classmates sought out fun in the sun, the fair-skinned Kidman retreated to dark rehearsal halls to practice her craft. She worked regularly at the Philip Street Theater, where she once received a personal letter of praise and encouragement from audience member Jane Campion (then a film student). Kidman eventually dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time. She broke into movies at age 16, landing a role in the Australian holiday favorite Bush Christmas. That appearance touched off a flurry of film and TV offers, including a lead in BMX Bandits and a turn as a schoolgirl-turned-protester in the miniseries Vietnam (for which she won her first Australian Film Institute Award). With the help of an American agent, she eventually made her US debut opposite Sam Neill in the at-sea thriller Dead Calm.

Kidman's next casting coup scored her more than exposure. While starring as Tom Cruise's doctor/love interest in the racetrack romance Days of Thunder, she won over the Hollywood hunk hook, line, and sinker. After a whirlwind courtship (and decent box office returns), the couple wed on December 24, 1990. Determined not to let her new marital status overshadow her fledgling career, the actress pressed on. She appeared as a catty high school senior in the Australian film Flirting, then as Dustin Hoffman's moll in the gangster flick Billy Bathgate. She reunited with Cruise for Far and Away, the story of young Irish lovers who flee to America in the late 1800s, and starred opposite Michael Keaton in the tear-tugger My Life. Despite her steady employment, critics and moviegoers still hadn't quite warmed to Kidman as a leading lady. She tried to spice up her image by seducing Val Kilmer in Batman Forever, but achieved her real breakthrough with Gus Van Sant's To Die For. As a fame-crazed housewife determined to eliminate any obstacle in her path, Kidman proved that she had an impressive range and deadly comic timing. She took home a Golden Globe and several critics' awards for the performance. In 1996, Kidman stepped into a corset to work with her countrywoman and onetime admirer, Jane Campion, on the adaptation of Henry James's The Portrait of a Lady. A few months later, she tore across the screen as a nuclear weapons expert in The Peacemaker, adding "action star" to her professional repertoire.

She and Cruise then disappeared into a notoriously long, secretive shoot for Stanley Kubrick's sexual thriller Eyes Wide Shut. The couple's on-screen shenanigans prompted an increase in public speculation about their sex life (rumors had long been circulating that their marriage was a cover-up for Cruise's homosexuality); tired of denying tabloid attacks, they successfully sued The Star for a story alleging that they needed a sex therapist to coach them through love scenes. Family life has always been a priority for Kidman. Born to social activists (mom was a feminist; dad, a labor advocate), Nicole and her little sister, Antonia Kidman, discussed current events around the dinner table and participated in their parents' campaigns by passing out pamphlets on street corners. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, 17-year-old Nicole stopped working and took a massage course so that she could provide physical therapy (her mom eventually beat the cancer). She and Cruise adopted two children: Isabella Jane (born in 1993) and Connor Antony (born 1995). Despite their rock-solid image, the couple announced in early 2001 that they were separating due to career conflicts. Her marriage to Cruise ended mid-summer of 2001.



Australia (2008): $13,000,000
The Golden Compass (2007): $15,000,000
Margot at the Wedding (2007): $6,000
The Invasion (2007): $16,000,000+
Bewitched (2005): $17,500,000
The Interpreter (2005): $15,000,000
Birth (2004): $15,000,000
The Stepford Wives (2004): $15,000,000
Cold Mountain (2003): $15,000,000
Dogville (2003): $2,800,000
The Hours (2002): $7,500,000
Birthday Girl (2001): $1,500,000
The Others (2001): $7,000,000
Moulin Rouge! (2001): $7,000,000
Eyes Wide Shut (1999): $6,500,000
Practical Magic (1998): $6,000,000
The Peacemaker (1997): $5,000,000
The Portrait of a Lady (1996): $2,500,000
Batman Forever (1995): $2,500,000
To Die For (1995): $2,000,000
My Life (1993/I) (1995): $500,000
Far and Away (1992): $250,000
Billy Bathgate (1991): $200,000
Days of Thunder (1990): $200,000

Listed in "People Weekly"s "Most Intriguing People" list. (December 25 1995/January 1 1996 issue) Suffered a broken rib while rehearsing a dance routine for the movie Moulin Rouge! (2001). Production was halted while she recovered. 1996: Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. Spent two weeks in bed after filming of The Portrait of a Lady (1996) - diagnosed as suffering from "emotional stress". Family: sister, Antonia Kidman, brother-in-law, Angus Hawley, father, Dr. Anthony David Kidman, mother, Janelle Ann MacNeille Kidman, son, Connor Antony, daughter, Isabella Jane. 2/5/01: Separated from husband Tom Cruise. She has two adopted children with Tom Cruise: Isabella Jane Cruise (born December 22, 1992) Connor Antony Cruise (Connor Cruise) (born January 17, 1995). 2001: Named one of People Magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People of 2001. 2001: Named Entertainment Weekly's Entertainer of The Year. She was supposed to be the star of Panic Room (2002), but she hurt herself in a stunt for Moulin Rouge! (2001). So, she played the voice of Jodie Foster's divorced husband's wife. Sister of Australian television personality Antonia Kidman. 1/13/03: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 2003: Ranked #31 in Premiere's annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #83 in 2002. 8/02: Voted the 5th Sexiest Female Movie Star in the Australian Empire Magazine. In recent polls, she was elected alongside fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman as one of the favorite upcoming romantic couples on screen. Has appeared in My Life (1993/I) with Michael Keaton, Batman Forever (1995) with Val Kilmer, The Peacemaker (1997) with George Clooney and The Portrait of a Lady (1996) with Christian Bale. All four actors have played Batman in a movie. Best friends with Naomi Watts. A very tall woman at nearly 5' 11", she actually stood about 4 inches taller than ex-husband Tom Cruise, and rarely wore heels when seen publicly with him so that they could appear similar in height. Since their divorce, she is rarely seen on the red carpet without high heels, and she often meets 6' 4" actors in the eye. While she usually commands $10 million+ for a movie, she was willing to receive only $500,000 for her role in "Eucalyptus (2006)". Produced by Fox Searchlight, its financing guideline shows that each actor signed on to the project can receive no more than $500,000, to keep costs low. This movie will be produced in Australia, another reason she decided to accept it. She was slated to star alongside Russell Crowe in the movie, but the project was ultimately dropped. Replaced Rene Russo as Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever (1995) when Val Kilmer replaced Michael Keaton. Writes short stories in her free time and hopes to publish them one day. Good friends with Russell Crowe. Had played a witch twice. Once in Practical Magic (1998) and again in Bewitched (2005). 2004: One of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People for most wanted skin. Is a pianist, and did her own piano-playing in Cold Mountain (2003). In addition to having worked with all four of the most recent Batmans, she has also worked with both of the most recent actors to play Alfred Pennyworth. In Batman Forever (1995), she appears with Michael Gough. In Bewitched (2005), her father is played by Michael Caine. Has one niece: Lucia (b. 1999) and two nephews: Hamish (b. 2001), James (b. 2003). Is a childhood friend of Peter Overton, a reporter for the Australian "60 Minutes" (1979) program. Both lived in the same suburb of Sydney when they were children. She and ex-husband Tom Cruise made 3 movies together: Days of Thunder (1990), Eyes Wide Shut (1999) and Far and Away (1992). They met on the set of Days of Thunder (1990). Godmother of Harry (b. 19 September 2001), the son of Simon Baker and Rebecca Rigg. Riggs and Kidman are close friends. Was listed as a potential nominee on both the 2006 and 2008 Razzie Award nominating ballots. She was suggested in the Worst Actress category on the 2006 ballot for her performance in Bewitched (2005). And she was suggested again two years later on the 2007 ballot in the Worst Actress category again for her performance in The Invasion (2007). She failed to receive either nominations. 2006: Accompanied her boyfriend Keith Urban to the Grammy Awards. It was their first public appearance together. 5/17/06: Engaged to country musician Keith Urban. Wore a wedding gown at her wedding to Keith Urban by the label Balenciaga. 230 guests attended her wedding to Keith Urban. Among them were her best friend Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe, Baz Luhrmann, Hugh Jackman and Nicole's two children Isabella and Conor. Jim Carrey was invited and greatly wanted to come, in fact he booked plane tickets to Australia, but last minute scheduling conflicts stopped him from going. She and Keith Urban honeymooned in Tahiti -- more precisely the St Regis in Bora Bora. Eva Longoria Parker and her boyfriend Tony Parker were also coincidentally staying there at the time. (So much for "getting away from it all".). Four Oscar winners were at her wedding to Keith Urban: Russell Crowe, Jane Campion, Catherine Martin and Kidman, herself. Three star performers sang at her wedding reception to Keith Urban. Hugh Jackman sang "Tenterfield Saddler", a favorite of Urban's. Keith Urban sang his hit song "Making Memories of Us" to her. Neil Finn sang "Fall At Your Feet". Ex-girlfriend of Lenny Kravitz. Author Philip Pullman requested her specifically to play the role of Marisa Coulter in the movie adaptation of his book "His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass". Keith Urban's brother Shane Urban was best man at their wedding. Keith Urban's brother Marlon Holden was best man at their wedding. Wrote the introduction to the book "Truth: Personas, Needs, and Flaws in the Art of Building Actors and Creating Characters" by her friend and acting consultant Susan Batson. 9/01: Attended the Royal Premiere of Moulin Rouge! (2001) alongside Kylie Minogue, Prince Charles and Ewan McGregor. Is a fan of actress Aishwarya Rai, and her film Bride & Prejudice (2004). Nicole got to meet Aishwarya for the first time at the 2005 Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world dinner held in New York City. The bridesmaids at her wedding were her adopted daughter Isabella Jane Cruise, her sister Antonia Kidman and her niece Lucia. 4/13/07: She was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia, which is Australia's top civil honor, at a ceremony in Canberra. She was honored for her contribution to cinema as well as her charity work with women, children and cancer research. 2006: Presented her The Peacemaker (1997) co-star George Clooney his Best Supporting Actor Oscar. 2004: Presented her The Interpreter (2005) co-star Sean Penn his Best Actor Oscar. Earns $4 million per year endorsing Chanel No. 5 perfume. Her three year contract is up for renewal in 2007. In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year to be $28 million. Was originally cast in Ridley Scott's Emma's War (2011). Welcomed her first child with Keith Urban, a daughter named Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, on Monday July 7, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kidman has said Sunday is the couple's favorite day of the week because it can be both lonely and happy depending on whether "you've got your family" around. They also found inspiration in Aussie art collector Sunday Reed, whose first name Kidman's father suggested as a possibility. The baby's second name is a tribute to Urban's grandmother, Rose. Her and Tom Cruise's high profile divorce was finalized the same week that her horror movie The Others (2001) was released. For her role in Birthday Girl (2001) she went to the Russian Embassy in Australia for help in speaking Russian. She didn't work with any other coach on the set except the woman from the embassy. To make the character 'Marisa Coulter' in The Golden Compass (2007) so good as possible, she read the whole His Dark Materials trilogy, and wrote small notes, whenever she found something personal about the character. With a beautiful letter, Philip Pullman convinced her to take the role as Marisa Coulter in The Golden Compass (2007). While she was searching divorce from Tom Cruise, she lived together with her friend Naomi Watts. Has always dreamed of working with her friend Steven Spielberg. One of her favorite movies is Gone with the Wind (1939). She loved wearing the prosthetic nose, that she originally used in The Hours (2002) and wore it in private too, mainly as she was undergoing a divorce from Tom Cruise at the time and was attracting a lot of paparazzi interest. Much to her delight, by wearing her fake nose out and about, she found she could easily evade the paparazzi as they didn't recognize her. She is distantly related to Isabel Kidman, the second wife of Jack Lee. Return to work two months after giving birth to her daughter Sunday in order to begin filming Nine (2009). Is a natural redhead. Became pregnant twice by Tom Cruise during their marriage. In 1991 she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, resulting in their decision to adopt, and then in 2000, prior to their separation, she suffered a miscarriage. Auditioned for the role of Molly in Ghost (1990) which went to Demi Moore. Is very close friends with fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman, her Australia (2008) co-star. With her performance as Virginia Wolf in The Hours (2002) lasting around 28 minutes, she has one of the shortest Best Actress Oscar wins in history.