Celebrity Heights: Gwyneth Paltrow

Profile: Gwyneth Paltrow

Born September 28, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, Gwyneth is a highly skilled actress who appears to be on her way in becoming a Hollywood super star. Gwyneth is no stranger to the entertainment business; her mother is the award-winning actress Blythe Danner and her father is Bruce Paltrow, a successful producer. Gwyneth and brother, Jake, spent most of their childhood in Los Angeles but moved to New York City when she was 11. She later enrolled at the Spence School where she graduated. She then returned to the west coast to enroll at the University of California in Santa Barbara to study Art History, but she realized that she lacked the commitment to her studies and withdrew. Her father encouraged her to go back to school, Gwyneth decided to pursue a career in acting which began with a moving performance in the Williamstown Theater production of "Picnic", where she starred alongside her mother. Her first audition landed her debut into film in 1991's "Shout" with John Travolta. Gwyneth, in a chance meeting with Steven Spielberg, was cast in the role as "Young Wendy" in box office hit "Hook" (1991). It wasn't until her remarkable performance in "Flesh & Bone" in 1993 that her career really took off. In 1995, she was cast in "Seven", opposite Brad Pitt, and the pair started a highly publicized romantic relationship. Gwyneth emerged quickly from Pitt's shadow, and accepted roles in "Moonlight & Valentino" and "The PallBearer", along with an astounding performance in "Emma". Her most famous role to date is that of Viola in "Shakespeare in Love". Her brilliant performance and mastering of the English accent earned Gwyneth the Oscar for Best Actress. She is also one of Hollywood's busiest actresses, signed on to no less than 15 movies since 1998.
Gwyneth's most recent projects include her role as Maud Bailey in the upcoming film, "Possession", "The Royal Tenenbaums", "Shallow Hal", and in 2002, "A View from the Top". This young star certainly has a view from the top, and is loving what she sees. We can be sure to see a lot more of her coming up!