Star Grazing — Starhunts celebrities (Issue 50)

» Maria Bello

Maria Bello is an American actress who discovered a talent for acting while majoring in Political Science at Villanova University. Putting aside her plans to become a lawyer, she started out in small off-Broadway plays, including The Killer Inside Me and Urban Planning.

In 1997, Maria joined the cast of popular TV show ER as Dr Anna Del Amico. She then made the jump to the big screen, appearing in Coyote Ugly as Lil. In 2003, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Cooler, and in 2005 for Best Actress in A History of Violence.

Maria is also well known for her starring roles in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and The Jane Austen Book Club.

Maria is a Muay Thai practitioner (a form of kickboxing) and works with ‘Save the Children’, an international organisation helping to improve the lives of children.» Return to celebrity index

» Jennifer Ehle

Jennifer Ehle was born on 29 December 1969 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and spent her childhood between the UK and America. She is best known for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 miniseries Pride and Prejudice.

In 2005, Jennifer starred opposite Kevin Spacey in The Philadelphia Story at London’s Old Vic Theatre. In 2006, she played Lady Macbeth in Macbeth as part of Shakespeare in the Park.

Jennifer has won two Tony Awards, both for Tom Stoppard plays. The first was Best Actress in a Play in 2000 for The Real Thing followed by Best Featured Actress in a Play in 2007 for The Coast of Utopia.

Most recently Jennifer played Abby Tierney in Pride and Glory alongside Colin Farrell and Edward Norton.

At the 1996 BAFTA Awards she is quoted as saying, ‘Half of this award should go to my wigs’, in reference to the miniseries Pride and Prejudice.» Return to celebrity index

» Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti is an actor and comedian, born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut.

After a number of supporting roles in movies including The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, Planet of the Apes and Big Fat Liar, Paul went on to play the lead in American Splendor, Sideways, Duplicity and the supernatural thriller, Lady in the Water.

In 2008, he won an Emmy for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in John Adams. During his acceptance speech he said, ‘I’m living proof, kids at home watching, that anybody can play the President’.» Return to celebrity index

» Emile Hirsch

Emile Davenport Hirsch was born in Palms, California on 13 March 1985 and grew up in Los Angeles, California, and Santa Fe in New Mexico. His most notable roles are in the films Lords of Dogtown, The Girl Next Door, Into the Wild, Speed Racer and Milk.

Emile began appearing in minor television roles at the age of eight. In 2004 he was cast opposite Elisha Cuthbert in The Girl Next Door followed by Lords of Dogtown in 2005. He appeared in the dark drama Alpha Dog in 2007 and Sean Penn’s Into the Wild later that year. In his most recent film, Milk, he plays gay rights activist Cleve Jones alongside Sean Penn and Josh Brolin.

Emile is quoted as saying, ‘James Dean taught me not to speed, River Phoenix taught me not to DO speed, and Marlon Brando taught me to slow down on the cheeseburgers’.» Return to celebrity index

» Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical movies. Her 2006 debut album V sold 34,000 copies in its first week, while her second album Identified spent eight weeks in the Billboard 200.

In 2008, Vanessa was included in the list of Forbes ‘High Earners Under 30′. The following year, she was nominated for a number of awards, and won the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards ‘Favorite Movie Actress’.» Return to celebrity index

» Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac, an actor, comedian and sketch writer, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1957. He died in 2008, aged 50, due to complications from pneumonia.

Bernie began his career in 1977 with a stand-up comedy gig at The Cotton Club. He made his film debut in 1992 with a small part in Mo’ Money, followed by appearances in several movies including House Party 3, The Walking Dead and Get on the Bus. Bernie had a recurring role in the TV series Moesha, which led to more substantial parts in How to Be A Player, The Players Club, and Life starring Eddie Murphy.

In 2000, Bernie featured in The Original Kings of Comedy and in 2001 played Frank Catton in the remake of Ocean’s Eleven.

Starring roles included Friday, Bad Santa, Head of State, Pride, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and Soul Men.» Return to celebrity index

» Samantha Morton

Samantha Morton was born in Nottingham, England. She worked her way up from series television to TV movies and prestigious miniseries, such as Emma and Jayne Eyre.

Her first major film role was Under the Skin in 1997. She was cast by Woody Allen as Hattie in Sweet and Lowdown in 1999 and in 2002 Steven Spielberg cast her opposite Tom Cruise in Minority Report. She won numerous critics’ awards and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her performance in In America as a young Irish mother coping with life in New York City. Her most recent films include Lassie, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Messenger.

Samantha is quoted as saying: “Acting and music are self indulgent professions and they are a luxury unless you love what you do. I have a love/hate relationship with what I do. I think, ‘Where’s the relevance of this? I’m not a doctor, I’m not an aid worker’. But then I think you only have one life and I am a vessel for stories to be told’.» Return to celebrity index

» Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy is a film and theatre actor who was born and raised in Cork, Ireland. He began his professional acting debut on the stage in Disco Pigs in 1996. He went on to perform in plays such as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Cillian was cast as the lead in 28 Days Later, before going on to star in Intermission, Red Eye and The Wind That Shakes the Barley. He played villain Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in Batman Begins.

He returned to the stage in 2006 to play the lead role opposite Neve Campbell in John Kolvenbach’s play Love Song in London’s West End.

In 2008 he starred in The Edge of Love alongside Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller.

On his role as a terrorist in Red Eye (2005) he is quoted as saying, “I don’t know if anyone will ever sit beside me on a plane again”.» Return to celebrity index

» Richie Sambora

Musician Richie Sambora, also known as the King of Swing, is a songwriter, singer, guitarist and producer. As the lead guitarist of rock band Bon Jovi, he has collected over 68 gold and platinum albums.

Richie is known for his bluesy riffs and vocals, and for often wearing a black Stetson hat onstage. He has been a committed fundraiser for many charities, including Stand Up For a Cure and Michael J Fox’s Parkinson’s charity.

As well as a successful career touring the world with Bon Jovi, Richie released two solo albums. He also made a cameo appearance in cult computer game, The Sims Superstar.

He has one daughter, Ava Elizabeth, with his former wife, actress Heather Locklear.» Return to celebrity index