Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer was born on April 29, 1958 in Santa Ana, California.  She briefly pursued a career as a court reporter at Golden West Community College before dropping out in pursuit of a career in acting. She entered the Miss Orange County beauty pageant in 1978, won, and entered the... More

Michelle Pfeiffer was born on April 29, 1958 in Santa Ana, California.  She briefly pursued a career as a court reporter at Golden West Community College before dropping out in pursuit of a career in acting. She entered the Miss Orange County beauty pageant in 1978, won, and entered the statewide competition for Miss California. Although unsuccessful in claiming the title, the young Pfeiffer won herself an agent and roles in TV commercials and cameos before making her mark in Hollywood.

Pfeiffer's first major screen role was in the film sequel, “Grease 2.” However, it wasn't until 1983 when Pfeiffer starred with Al Pacino in Brian De Palma's gangster classic “Scarface” that she caught the attention of Hollywood. Over the course of the 1980's and 1990's, Pfeiffer starred in a string of box-office and critical hits such as “Ladyhawke,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Married to the Mob,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “The Russia House,” “Frankie and Johnny,” “Batman Returns,” “The Age of Innocence,” “Dangerous Minds,” and “One Fine Day.” She received the British Academy Award and also received her first Oscar nomination in 1988 as Best Supporting Actress in Stephen Frears's “Dangerous Liaisons.” Pfeiffer received her second Best Actress Academy Award nomination for 1992's “Love Field,” which also won Pfeiffer the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1993. Her role as chanteuse Susie Diamond in 1989's “The Fabulous Baker Boys” continues to be a highlight of her career. Pfeiffer's performance gained another Academy Award nomination as Best Actress, as well as honors from the Hollywood Foreign Press, New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics, and the National Society of Film Critics and Board of Review for this performance.

In 1995, Pfeiffer was given the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award by Harvard University for her contribution to the performing arts. The award, bestowed annually by the Hasty Pudding Theatricals society, is given to female performers who are deemed to have made a “lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment.” The award placed Pfeiffer among the ranks of Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Meryl Streep.

Since then, Pfeiffer has also stared in “What Lies Beneath,” “I Am Sam” and “White Oleander”

In 1981 Pfeiffer married “Thirtysomething” actor Peter Horton, but they divorced in 1988 at the height of her career. She has been linked romantically with actors Val Kilmer, John Malkovich, Michael Keaton, and Fisher Stevens. In 1993 Pfeiffer married writer-producer David E. Kelley. Earlier that year, before she met Kelley, Pfeiffer adopted a daughter, Claudia Rose, who was adopted by Kelley after their marriage. In 1994, Pfeiffer and Kelley had a son, John Henry.

Michelle Pfeiffer(4)