Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow (born September 27, 1972) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe- and double Screen Actors Guild Award-winning American actress, as well as a chart-topping singer in Australia.

She is perhaps best known for her roles in the films Se7en, Shakespeare in Love, Iron Man and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

She is married to Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and has had two children with him.

Early career: 1990-1994

Paltrow made her professional stage debut in 1990 and her debut on film in 1991, in Shout. Later that year, she played the role as the young Wendy in Steven Spielberg's Hook (1991).

Before her breakthrough Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in Malice and also Flesh and Bone.

Breakthrough: 1995-2000

Paltrow's breakthrough came when she starred in Se7en (1995), opposite Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. The film was hugely successful commercially and critically.

This was bolstered in 1996 when she starred in Emma, where she received positive critical acclaim, particularly in the UK for her impressive English accent.

Two years later, Gwyneth Paltrow starred in Shakespeare in Love. The film earned more than $100 million in box office receipts and numerous awards. This included Paltrow receiving the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role and also an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

The year after Gwyneth Paltrow starred in A Perfect Murder and in 2000, in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Recent Years: 2000-Present

Until recently, Paltrow has had a relatively low-profile, yet steady, film career with a few critically acclaimed film roles, including Proof (2005) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).

Audiences got their first taste of Paltrow's singing ability with the 2000 release of Duets, with singer Huey Lewis. Towards the end of the film they perform a cover version of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" which would eventually be released and go to number one in Australia, while Gwyneth Paltrow's rendition of the Kim Carnes classic "Bette Davis Eyes" reached number three.

Since winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love, Paltrow's film success has been less noteworthy, including several cameo roles, such as her appearance in Love and Other Disasters, Running with Scissors and Infamous.

Despite some low key appearances Paltrow's leading role in 2008's Iron Man may have restored her superstar status.

Personal life

On December 5, 2003, she married Chris Martin from the music group Coldplay in a secret wedding ceremony in Southern California.

Paltrow gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Apple Blythe Alison Martin, five months later, on May 14, 2004, in London.

Her second child, Moses Bruce Anthony Martin, was born on April 8, 2006 in New York City. Her son's first name was explained as the song that her husband wrote for her shortly before their secret wedding, called "Moses".

Trivia

Paltrow is good friends with Madonna and they even share the same personal trainer.

On September 27, 2006 (her 34th birthday) Gwyneth sang a duet with rap artist Jay-Z during his concert at the Royal Albert Hall. She sang the chorus for Song Cry.

Paltrow is a descendent of a famous 17th century Polish rabbi, David HaLevi Segal of Krakow.

Actor Simon Pegg is Paltrow's daughter's Godfather.