Natascha McElhone Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for the 2003 Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actress in a Film
• Was discovered by a casting director while performing in a Shakespeare play at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
• Studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
• Quote: "I always keep myself busy․ I'm writing․ Or I'm creating something․ Or I'm doing stuff with the kids․ I'm up incredibly early in the morning; I go to bed incredibly late at night․"
• Quote: "I think the difference between finding happiness, or moments of happiness, is how you choose to interpret things․ That's a rather shocking responsibility․ That we're responsible for our own happiness․ It's not those around us․"
• Quote: "[on starting out in acting] "A lot of the stuff that was coming my way was stuff I just didn't want to dot ․․․ I just wanted to do what I wanted to do and which I thought said something․""
• Created a book based on the letters she would write to her late husband following his death
• Was told she had to make the "Californication" producers laugh in 20 minute phone call in order to gain a role in the series