Kate Garry Hudson was born April 19,
1979, in Los Angeles, California. The golden child is the product of
Oscar winning actress Goldie Hawn, and singer/comedian Bill Hudson, of
"The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show" fame. Bill and Goldie
divorced a couple of months after Kate's birth, and Bill has been out of
his two children's (Kate and older brother Oliver) lives ever since. In
1983, Goldie met actor Kurt Russell and the two have been together
since, although not married the couple remain a very loving pair. Kate
considers Kurt to be her dad and refers to him as “Pa”.
Taking after her mother's passion for acting Kate desired to be a movie
star. Since she was a little girl, acting had always fascinated her and
growing up first hand witnessing her mother, Kate knew what she wanted
to become when she was older. However, despite her strong desire for
drama, her parents originally wanted her to take another career path.
Growing up under Hollywood royalty would be an obstacle for Kate to over
come if she would want to make her own name for herself as a serious
actor.
The budding thespian starving for her first slice of acting received a
ration as a stand-in for the 7-year-old actress playing Goldie's
daughter in the 1986 film, Wildcats. After graduating from Crossroads
School of Arts and Sciences, Kate was accepted to NYU's Tisch School of
Drama. However, instead of taking her skills to the classes and student
theater productions, she zoomed straight for the real thing, Hollywood.
Showing that her family was not going to be her ticket to fame. Kate got
herself an agent, and began going through audition after audition.
Proof of Kate’s desire to break through the industry based on her own
merit came when she didn't receive the part in the Kurt Russell film
Escape From L.A. This showed that she didn’t depend on her connections
to get her through, and relied on an honest, hardworking ethic. That
determination would later land Kate a small role in the Fox [then] hit
series, Party of Five. Sadly, after one episode, her character was
written off the show. Following her stint on Party of Five, Kate decided
to give the sitcom world one more shot with her 1997 stint in EZ
Streets.
In a gradual process of growth and a desire to steer her career in a
different path Kate left the world of television for the silver screen
landing a part in 1998's Desert Blue. Finally people took notice after
the small buzz film 200 Cigarettes. Kate was cast as the eccentric
virgin Cindy. Other actors attached to the project included Courtney
Love, Ben Affleck and Janeane Garofalo. In the beginning of her film
career Kate's repertoire contained mostly independent, small films such
as Ricochet River and About Adam.
It wasn’t until 2000 when Kate really got a taste of being thrust into
the spotlight with roles in four major studio films. Her first role to
really leave an impact on pop culture and leave fans alike wanting more
came in the teen thriller Gossip. Kate starred as chaste rich girl Naomi
alongside Dawson Creek fame Joshua Jackson and James Marsden. Kate then
appeared in the ensemble cast of 2000's Dr. T and the Women, along with
her co stars Liv Tyler, Richard Gere and Helen Hunt. Although her films
received lukewarm reviews, and stable box office figures Kate was
stirring something up, a role that would put her in the right lane and
take her from minor supporting roles to leading lady.
That role later came as Band-Aid Penny Lane, with which Kate captured
the hearts and attention of both critics and audiences alike in the cult
hit Cameron Crowe film Almost Famous. Kate was determined to work with
Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe ever since she heard about his
upcoming film. Ready to work as an extra just for the chance to be in
his film, she fell in love with the script and especially the role of
Penny Lane.
Originally Kate was cast in the minor
role as the lead actor's stewardess sister. Call it a twist of fate but
luck was on Kate's side as the role of Penny Lane (originally offered to
actress Sarah Polley) became available as she backed out of the film
allowing Kate to slip right into her dream role. Penny Lane was the role
that made Kate the "it" girl for the moment. And garnered buzz
for the young actress giving her a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award
nomination.
Following the success of Almost Famous Kate was now on the A list and
was able to take billing lead in her projects that followed. It was said
that Kate was offered the role as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man but
turned it down for Four Feathers.
Although some fans may argue that
Kate’s career choices as of late have yet to live up to the potential
displayed in Almost Famous, Kate is undeniably talented and has the
ability to captivate an audience. This was definitely evident with her
2003 hit romantic comedy How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days which raked in
more than $100 in North American box offices alone. Kate’s biggest box
office hit to date.
Along with her growing career, Kate's personal life has developed rather
quickly as well. Kate has another Crowe to thank in her life: her
husband Chris Robinson, the lead singer of the Black Crowes. The twosome
married in Aspen on New Year's Eve 2000 during an intimate ceremony. The
couple welcomed their first baby Ryder Russell Robinson into the world
early 2004.
At 27 Kate Hudson has accomplished a lot, an acting career, a devoted
wife and mother. The future is bright for Kate who has three projects
under works and many more to come in the future.
