Katherine Heigl

Early Years

Katherine Marie Heigl was born November 24, 1978 in Washington, D.C., to parents Paul, a financial executive, and Nancy, a personal manager. Heigl was raised as a Mormon, and is the youngest of five children. The family moved to Virginia and later to Denver, Colorado, eventually settling in New Canaan, Connecticut. Her parents divorced in 1996, and following her graduation from New Canaan High School in 1997, she moved with her mother to Los Angeles, California. Her mother took on the role as Heigl's manager.

Personal Tragedy

In 1986, Katherine Heigl’s brother, Jason, died at age 15 after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck. The family had to make a critical decision about his fate after doctors reported that he was brain-dead. The Heigls donated his organs and tissues to help others in need of transplants.

Modeling

Heigl at the Third Annual Pedigree Adoption Drive.

A visiting aunt took photographs of then nine-year-old Katherine Heigl and sent the photos to several New York City modeling agencies. Heigl was signed within weeks, initially posing in catalogs for Sears, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. Over time, she began to appear in magazines such as Seventeen.

Early Roles

Heigl’s first acting job was for a national commercial for Cheerios, leading to her debut in the 1992 film That Night. She was also seen in the 1993 film King of the Hill, directed by Steven Soderbergh. Her first starring role was in 1994's My Father the Hero, playing a comedic role as Gérard Depardieu's teenage daughter. Her role as Steven Seagal’s daughter in the 1995 film Under Siege 2: Dark Territory gave her a highly visible part in the action sequel.

Movies

Katherine Heigl has enjoyed a steady film career, including several in the horror genre. In 2007, Heigl starred opposite Seth Rogan in the comedy Knocked Up, a look at the decisions that a young single woman must make after getting pregnant during a one-night stand. Her other movie roles include:

• Prince Valiant (1997)
• Bug Buster (1998)
• Bride of Chucky (1998)
• 100 Girls (2001)
• Valentine (2001)
• The Ringer (2005)
• Side Effects (2005)
• Zyzzyx Road (2006)
• Caffeine (2006)

Television

While Heigl appeared in a number of television roles, including Isabel Evans on the WB’s sci-fi Roswell (1999-2002), the show that made her a household name was Grey’s Anatomy in 2005. As medical resident Isobel (Izzie) Stevens, Heigl has had her fair share of dramatic story lines that have won the hearts of viewers. She received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance during the second season finale, as well as an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Other television roles include:

• Wish Upon a Star (1996)
• The Tempest (1998)
• Critical Assembly (2003)
• Evil Never Dies (2003)
• Love Comes Softly (2003)
• MTV’s Wuthering Heights (2003)
• Love’s Enduring Promise (2004)
• Romy and Michele: In the Beginning (2005)

Personal Life

With husband Josh Kelley at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Katherine Heigl and musician Josh Kelley met when she starred in his music video for “Only You.” The couple got engaged in 2006, with a December 2007 wedding date planned. He wrote a song especially for the actress, titled "Katie’s Song."

Controversy

While Heigl was not directly involved with the controversy that erupted on the set of Grey’s Anatomy, when Isaiah Washington used a gay slur toward T.R. Knight and sparred with Patrick Dempsey, she was an advocate for Knight. In response to the event, she said, "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said, I'm not okay with it...T.R. is my best friend. I will throw down for that kid."

Katherine Heigl Facts

• Actress Anne Hathaway was originally set to play the main role in Knocked Up, but dropped out over the film's use of nudity.
• Katherine Heigl has played three characters named Isabel/Isobel.
• She graced FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list twice, and was voted 19th "Sexiest Woman in the World" by FHM readers in 2006.
• She dated actor Joey Lawrence in 1994, but the long-distance romance didn’t last more than three months.
• Heigl auditioned for parts on Felicity and Alias.