biography

Nicole Kidman was born on June 20th, 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii. When Nicole was 4 years old her father, Anthony, an author and an assistant professor for psychology and biochemistry, along with her mother, Janelle, a nurse and nursery-school teacher settled in Australia, with her younger sister. She grew up in a household ardently marked by the social activism of her parents.

Her mother was a devout feminist who refused to by her daughters a Barbie doll. Nicole showed her independence and strong will buy stealing one for her and her sister. The Kidman girls were also known for passing out political leaflets and were expected to debate and discuss at least one current event with their parents each week. Activity and exercise were also a point of emphasis in the Kidman clan. Their father would have them start each morning with a regime of jumping jacks and push-ups.

Nicole’s preoccupation with ballet was the stepping stone to her involvement in the performing arts. She trained extensively in dance, mime and drama. Her performing and interest in the theater became an outlet for Nicole partly because of her appearance. It’s hard to believe that the beautiful tall, redheaded and fair skinned woman that we see today was something of an outcast as a child, but Nicole knows differently. It was precisely those attributes that made her so. By the time she was 13, she was already a towering 5 ft 9in. She was a skinny redhead, who’s white skin wouldn’t tan and who’s unruly red curls made her stand out and feel self-conscious. She was desperate to escape her unusual appearance, so she turned to the world of acting and became a regular at Sydney’s Philip Street Theater. She was encouraged by the refreshing reception her abilities earned. Australian director, then a film student, Jane Campion, recognized Kidman’s potential and sent her a letter of encouragement. Nicole’s assiduously applied herself to acting and her determination landed her a role in the Australian film “Bush Christmas” in 1983. It is still aired each December and is a national favorite.

At the age of seventeen Nicole’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. There wasn’t enough time for school, family, and acting so she weighed her choices and found that family and film were her priorities. She dropped out of North Sydney High and by 1988 became a TV veteran. She made her U.S. debut in 1989 with the thriller “Dead Calm”. The film was only a modest success but it sparked the interest of many producers and directors alike.

Nicole’s desire to work with Tom Cruise was realized in the car racing drama “Days of Thunder”. Cruise was smitten with Nicole as well and has said, “My first reaction to meeting Nic was pure lust”. They had a whirl wind romance, culminating in their top-secret marriage in 1990. She feared for her career identity being over powered by the public fascination with the charismatic Cruise. Nicole wanted her own fame and she wanted to earn it. She landed a role opposite Bruce Willis and Dustin Hoffman in “Billy Bathgate”. Then she teamed with Cruise again in the acclaimed “Far and Away”. Her next two films “My Life” and “Malice” were also well accepted. In 1995’s “Batman Forever” Nicole was shining as bright as ever. However, it wasn’t until Gus Van Sant’s “To Die For” that she really proved her ability to carry a film through all on her own and she had finally earned her place on the Hollywood A-list. She then went on to star in “The Portrait of a Lady”, “The Peacemaker” and “Practical Magic”. Her newest flick has her teamed up with her sexy husband Tom Cruise in the erotic thriller “Eye’s Wide Shut”.

Together with their two adoptive children, Tom and Nicole split their time between homes in New York, Los Angeles, Colorado and Australia. They enjoy the outdoors and often rock climb and hike as well as scuba dive. Nicole said about her future “I’ve learned that the future can’t be controlled. Therefore I just try to live the day instead of making unrealistic aims. Meanwhile I ask myself what I want and doesn’t subordinate this strange aims. The children also changed the perspectives totally. You’ve to accept that you cannot have all. Therefore you’re able to enjoy the moment better.”