Kate Hudson

Kate Garry Hudson was born April 19, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. The golden-locked dimpled beauty is the daughter of Oscar winning and lovable actress Goldie Hawn, and singer comedian Bill Hudson, of The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show fame.

A couple of months after Kate's birth, Bill and Goldie divorced, and the estranged father has been out of his two children's (Kate Hudson and older brother Oliver) lives ever since. In 1983, Goldie met actor Kurt Russell, who has lived with the family for the past 18 years, and is considered by Kate to be her "Pa."

Taking after her mother's passion, Kate wanted to act since she was a young girl. But despite her strong desire for drama, her parents originally wanted her to take another career path. The progeny finally got her first taste in front of the camera as a stand-in for the 7-year-old actress playing Goldie's daughter in the 1986 film, Wildcats.

But it was her role as Band-Aid Penny Lane, with which Kate captured the hearts and attention of both critics and audiences alike. Kate was determined to work with Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe ever since she heard about his upcoming film. Ready to work as an extra just for the chance to be in his film (which was finally titled Almost Famous), she fell in love with the script and especially the role of Penny Lane.

Penny Lane was originally offered to actress Sarah Polley, therefore Kate was cast in the minor role of the lead actor's stewardess sister. As fate would have it, Crowe awarded Kate the role of the innocently sexy groupie, thanks to her determination and loyalty.

Penny Lane was indeed the role that made Kate Very Famous, and the critical praise she earned include the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Breakthrough Performance, the Golden Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.

Kate has another Crowe to thank in her life: her husband Chris Robinson, lead singer of the Black Crowes. The lovebirds were married on New Year's Eve of 2000 in Aspen and had their first child, Ryder Russell Robinson, on January 7, 2004.