Few contemporary actresses capture the glamour of old Hollywood, but this ethereal beauty is one of the exceptions. After winning a local California beauty contest, the fresh-faced blonde began popping up on TV (with her original nose) before making the leap to big-time film star. Although she suffered through a few notorious bombs early on (
Grease 2, Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen), her career picked up momentum in the mid-'80s as she proved she was more than just a pretty face by acting opposite some of the most respected names in the business (Al Pacino in
Scarface, Jack Nicholson in
The Witches of Eastwick). In 1988, she showcased her versatility with three diverse turns in a trio of distinctly different films: the ubiquitous woman caught between two men in the action flick
Tequila Sunrise; a Mafia widow trying to start over in the comedy
Married to the Mob; and a chaste 18th-century do-gooder targeted by a lothario in
Dangerous Liaisons, a devastating performance that earned Pfeiffer her first Oscar nod. Now an A-lister, Pfeiffer was careful not to pigeonhole herself, appearing in romantic comedies (
One Fine Day), blockbusters (a delicious turn as Catwoman in
Batman Returns), musicals (
The Fabulous Baker Boys, which earned her a second Academy Award nomination) and myriad dramas, including a charming performance as Jackie O.'s No. 1 fan in
Love Field, which netted her a third Oscar nod. As the '90s wore on, Pfeiffer slowed down, taking time off to focus on her children with TV writer/producer David E. Kelley, and appearing only occasionally on the big screen but making an impression every time (
White Oleander,
The Deep End of the Ocean)
. Michelle Pfeiffer Fast Facts:
- A high-school drama class sparked her interest in acting.
- Entered — and won — the Miss Orange County (CA) contest in 1978 so that she could meet one of the judges, a Hollywood agent.
- Has turned down several high-profile roles, including Clarice in 1991's Silence of the Lambs (which won Jodie Foster an Oscar), and Sharon Stone's role in Basic Instinct (1992).
- Appeared in Coolio's video for "Gangsta's Paradise," from the soundtrack to Pfeiffer's 1995 film Dangerous Minds.
- Named "Woman of the Year" by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals in 1995.
- Starred in 1996's To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, one of the few films written by her husband, TV writer/producer David E. Kelley.
- Michelle Pfeiffer Relationships:
- Claudia Rose Kelley - Daughter
- Dick Pfeiffer - Father
- Donna Pfeiffer - Mother
- John Henry Kelley - Son
- Rick Pfeiffer - Brother
- David E. Kelley - Husband
- Lori Pfeiffer - Sister
- Dedee Pfeiffer - Sister
- Peter Horton - Ex-husband
- Fisher Stevens - Ex-significant Other
- Michelle Pfeiffer Awards:
- 1990 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Winner
- 1991 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1993 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1994 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1989 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1992 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1989 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1992 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1988 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- College:
- Attended Golden West College, Huntington Beach, CA
