Kate Beckinsale was born in London on July 26, 1973. She was born to stage and television actress Judy loe and Richard Beckinsale who was a famous television actor who passed away in 1979 at the age of 31. Her paternal half sister Samantha Beckinsale is also part of the acting industry. Kate’s paternal grandfather was of Burmese origin which is why she claims that she was "very oriental-looking" as a kid.
Kate won numerous prizes for writing competitions as a child. Beckinsale studied French and Russian literature at the New College, Oxford University; however she did not complete her degree at the college. She began her acting career in 1991 with the television film ‘One Against the Wind’ which was based on World War II. Kate has also appeared in some prominent but inconspicuous movies such as ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ released in 1995, ‘Shooting Fish’ released in 1998 and ‘The Last Days of Disco’ also released in 1998. She starred in the American movie Brokedown Palace in 1999. Bekinsale’s got major exposure when she cast in the movie ‘Pearl Harbor’ which released in 2001. She then followed up with a number of films such as ‘Serendipity’ released in 2001, ‘Underworld’ released in 2003, and ‘Van Helsing’ released in 2004. One of her most notable roles was as Ava Garderner in the movie ‘The Aviator’; she gained 20 pounds to fit the character of the film. Her role as a vampire in the movie Underworld: Evolution which was a sequel to her previous film Underworld made her a star in Hollywood.
Kate Beckinsale’s latest release was the comedy flick ‘Click’ alongside Adam Sandler; it released on June 23, 2006. Her next film to be released some time in 2006 is ‘Snow Angles. | 
