Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale Introduction

Kate Beckinsale is a British actress who is best known for her roles in the movies Pearl Harbor (2001), Underworld (2003) and Van Helsing (2004). Her cute British accent and amazing physique (which we doubt she says she contributes zero effort to) makes her the best thing to come out Britain since America. Voted #3 in the AskMen.com's Top 99 Women 2008 Edition.

Kate Beckinsale Life Story

Kate is one of those rare hybrids of beauty and brains. She studied at Oxford University before leaving to pursue her acting career. She starred in a few low budget British films, such as Shooting Fish and The Last Days of Disco, before she headed to America. Her first American film was Brokedown Palace (1999), which was not a big success to say the least. But the film did catch the eye of action guru director Michael Bay who cast Kate in Pearl Harbor (2001), with Jennifer Garner, after Charlize Theron turned down the part. After Pearl Harbor, Kate starred in the movies Serendipity (2001), Underworld, and Van Helsing, with fellow hotties Silvia Colloca and Josie Maran, none of which were critically acclaimed, not that any of us cared. We fell in love with her when the Underworld movies were released — who isn’t turned on by a sexy vampire who kills werewolves? Well, apparently critics, but what do they know.

Her next role was as Ava Gardner in The Aviator (2005) with Kelli Garner and Gwen Stefani — Kate gained twenty pounds for the role. We know, we aren’t thrilled about that either, but you have to give the girl credit for being dedicated to the acting craft.

Kate is married to director Len Wiseman and recently starred in Snow Angels alongside Olivia Thirlby. She also starred in the movie Whiteout (September 2009).

She is the sister of actress Samantha Beckinsale.