Uma Karuna Thurman (born April 29, 1970) is an American actress and model. She has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Among her best-known roles are those in the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction (for which she received an Oscar nomination) and Kill Bill. In 2002 she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Hysterical Blindness.
Uma Thurman
French cosmetics firm Lancome have employed her as a spokesmodel for their company. [June 2000]
Daughter Maya Thurman-Hawke, with Ethan Hawke, was born. [8 July 1998]
Ranked #99 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list. [October 1997]
Former model.
Her father, Robert Thurman, is a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University School of Religion. He was the first westerner to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Uma was named for a Hindu goddess.
Her mother, Nena Thurman, is a Swedish model-turned-psychotherapist, who was a young teenager when she discovered in Stockholm by photographer Norman Parkinson. A nude statue, called ‘Famntaget’ (The Embrace), of Nena’s mother, Brigit Holmquist, stands in the port town of Trelleborg. Birgit, who was the daughter of a famous local industrialist, was herself a famous beauty, and married Baron von Schlebrügge (German national). The couple moved (after the Nazis gained power in Germany) to Mexico where Nena was born. Salvador Dalí, introduced Nena to her first husband, Timothy Leary.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#20). [1995]
Granddaughter of Friedrich Karl Johannes von Schlebrügge, a Prussian nobleman, and his Swedish wife Birgit Holmquist.
Uma’s middle name, Karuna, is one of the four sublime abodes in Buddhism. It means “compassion.” The other 3 sublime abodes are Metta (Loving kindness), Mudita (Sympathetic joy), and Upekkha (Equanimity).
With husband Ethan Hawke, gave birth to 7 lb. 15 oz. son, Roan Thurman-Hawke (aka Levon Green Hawke). [15 January 2002]
Attended Northfield Mount Hermon boarding school in Northfield, Massachusetts, during her freshman and sophomore years, approximately twenty five miles from her home town at the time, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Named after the goddess of light and beauty in Indian Mythology.
Uma and Ethan Hawke’s daughter’s name is Maya; which is also the name of the character that Uma played in Duke of Groove (1996) (TV).
Has shades of Lancome lipsticks named after her (available only in Asia).
Her mother, Nena Thurman, was once married to LSD proponent Timothy Leary. The marriage lasted less than a year (1964-1965). Their marriage, which took place in Nepal, was the subject of a 15-minute documentary entitled “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You”. Nena married Uma’s father, Robert Thurman, two years later in 1967.
Has three brothers with equally unusual, exotic names: Ganden, Dechen (who is an actor and director) and Mipam.
Sister of Dechen Thurman and Ganden Thurman and the daughter of Nena Thurman and Robert Thurman
Measurements: 34C-24-35 (as an Elite model: 1988), 35 1/2C-24-35 (actress – 1995), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).
She is on the Board of Directors of Room to Grow, a non-profit organization founded by Rob Reiner, dedicated to enriching the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first 3 years of development.
Her uncle, John Thurman, is a professional concert cellist who performs with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Supported the Junior Senator (John Kerry) from her native state (Massachusetts) for President of the United States.
Originally cast for the part of Eowyn in the The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).
In Polynesian, her name means “kiss”.
Former husband Ethan Hawke’s book was dedicated to her (“For Karuna“).
Former sister-in-law of Laila Morse.
She attended Amherst Regional Middle School, Massachusetts, for grade 7 and 8 and had Ester Haskell as an English teacher. She later visited that school to contribute to the Women’s History assembly. The children were thrilled
Named #21 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list.
Followed in the footsteps of both her mother and grandmother into the world of modeling.
She and her first husband, Gary Oldman, have both appeared in separate Batman films. Uma appeared in Batman & Robin (1997) as Poison Ivy. Gary Oldman has appeared in Batman Begins (2005) & The Dark Knight (2008) as James Gordon.
Was made a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (Commandeur Dans Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres) by France in February 2006. Presenting the prize on behalf of the French Ministry of Culture, Cannes Film Festival President Gilles Jacob told Thurman she was “admired throughout the world” and that her career would “make her the favorite actress of an entire generation.” The Order of Arts and Letters is given out twice annually to a few hundred people worldwide.
Ranked as #67 in FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005” special supplement. (2005)
Quentin Tarantino considers her as his muse.
Named #59 in FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006” supplement. (2006).
Member of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 1994.
Uma and her hotelier boyfriend, André Balazs, have ended their three-year romance. They started dating in 2003 [March 20, 2007].
Engaged to Arpad Busson [June 26, 2008].
Was 5ft 10in by the age of 13.
Born at 1:51 PM (EDT).
Called off her engagement to Arpad Busson on November 15, 2009.
Returned to work five months after giving birth to her son Levon in order to begin filming Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003).
Auditioned for the role of Geneva Backman in The Dilemma (2011), but Winona Ryder was cast instead.
Has appeared in two films quoting the proverb “revenge is a dish best served cold“, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Batman & Robin (1997) as well as Dangerous Liaisons (1988), an adaptation of the novel often credited with originating that expression.
Ex-stepmother of Alfie Oldman.
Appeared twice on the cover of GQ magazine: February ’95 and December ’03.
