Nicole Kidman
Australian thriller 'Dead Calm' (1989) caught Hollywood's eye and led to 'Days of Thunder' (1990), where she met and married Tom Cruise. But it was Gus Van Sant's dark satire 'To Die For' (1995) that proved her range, transforming her from a movie-star's wife into a respected dramatic actress.
Sydney Beginnings
Born in Hawaii to Australian parents and raised in Sydney, Kidman began acting as a teenager. Her chilling performance in 'Dead Calm' brought international attention and a Hollywood future.
Proving Her Range
Early fame came tied to her marriage to Tom Cruise, but 'To Die For' revealed a fearless comic and dramatic actress. She earned an Oscar nomination for 'Moulin Rouge!' and won for 'The Hours.'
A Lasting Career
Kidman has remained one of cinema's most adventurous leading actresses while also conquering prestige television with 'Big Little Lies.' Her long marriage to Keith Urban ended in divorce finalized in 2026.
Career Timeline
- 1967Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Australian parents
- 1989Breakthrough in Australian thriller 'Dead Calm'
- 1990Stars in 'Days of Thunder'; marries Tom Cruise
- 1995Acclaimed dark turn in 'To Die For'
- 2001Oscar-nominated for 'Moulin Rouge!'; divorces Cruise
- 2002Plays Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours'
- 2003Wins Best Actress Oscar for 'The Hours'
- 2006Marries musician Keith Urban
- 2017Earns Emmy for HBO's 'Big Little Lies'
- 2026Finalizes divorce from Keith Urban
Biggest Hits
- Kidman was born in Hawaii while her Australian parents were studying there on student visas, giving her dual citizenship.
- She wore a prosthetic nose to play Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours,' a transformation that helped win her the Oscar.
Portrait: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons