Uma Karuna Thurman was born April 29, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, and had an eccentric, multicultural upbringing. Her mother, Nena, is a half-Swedish, half-German former psychotherapist, while her father, Robert A.F. Thurman, is a Tibetan Buddhist monk and a University of Columbia professor. Uma was named after a Hindu deity that is the “bestower of blessings.”
As a teenager, Uma did not fit in. As if her name wasn’t different enough, she was lanky and awkward as a child. Her long nose, which today only adds a unique touch to her beautiful face, was part of her misery. Rather than taking part in the typical all-American extracurricular activities, Uma Thurman had better things to do: act.
Uma Thurman moves to new york
After receiving a standing ovation while involved in an elementary school theater production, Uma Thurman caught the acting bug and knew this was what she wanted to do with her life. She packed up, and like most aspiring models and actors, she headed for New York — she didn’t even stick around long enough to become a high school graduate.
While in New York, Uma Thurman was forced to work odd jobs, including washing dishes and modeling — a more glamorous day job. It didn’t take long for Uma to trade in her dishwashing gloves for scripts, as she landed her first feature film role in 1988′s Johnny Be Good. Uma Thurman was on the verge of beginning her career and was about to take on a string of sexual film roles.
Uma Thurman in pulp fiction
After Johnny Be Good, which was nothing to write to Boston about, Uma Thurman was cast in Kiss Daddy Goodnight and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, which raised eyebrows and garnered her critical praise. But it was after her role in 1988′s Dangerous Liaisons that her image became erotic. Choosing to become more than just a passing fad, Uma Thurman left for England; however, many offers for movie roles were waiting for her back in America, and she eventually returned. Her role in 1990′s Henry & June showcased her with sexuality streaming out of her pores; it didn’t help that she portrayed a bisexual in the film.
Although she starred in popular movies such as Final Analysis, Jennifer 8, Mad Dog and Glory, and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, it was her role as the offbeat, cocaine-junkie Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction that garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. With a departure from alternative, more dramatic films to the commercial comedies Beautiful Girls and The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Uma proved that she can also provide some laughs.
Next up for the beautiful actress were roles in the sci-fi films Gattaca and Batman & Robin, as well as her starring role as Emma Peele in the adaptation of The Avengers, which tanked at the box office.
Uma Thurman in kill bill
Uma Thurman went on a brief hiatus to marry Gattaca costar Ethan Hawke and to welcome their first baby, Maya Ray, into the world. They later had another child, but their marriage ended in 2004. Uma Thurman had previously been married to actor Gary Oldman, and her dating record includes Timothy Hutton and Robert De Niro.
After a role in Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown in 1999, Uma Thurman returned to her former modeling days as a spokesperson for Lancôme. One of Empire magazine’s 100 Sexiest Stars in film history, she has modeled for Louis Vuitton as well.
In 2003 and 2004, Uma Thurman played the leading role of cold-blooded kung fu villain Beatrix Kiddo in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies, which she cowrote with Quentin during the shooting of Pulp Fiction. Thus, Uma Thurman had expanded her talents to not only acting and modeling, but writing and producing films as well.
Uma Thurman in my super ex-girlfriend and eloise in paris
In 2006, Uma Thurman explored her comedic abilities alongside Luke Wilson and Anna Faris in My Super Ex Girlfriend. Her character used super powers to make her ex-boyfriend’s life a living hell.
Uma Thurman took a bit of a break from the spotlight in 2007 to return in 2008 with a vengeance. She had roles in the flicks The Life Before Her Eyes, My Zinc Bed and Eloise in Paris, as well as acted and directed The Accidental Husband.
Buying cigarettes is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Johnny Be Good | Georgia Elkans | |
| 1988 | Dangerous Liaisons | Cécile de Volanges | |
| 1988 | Kiss Daddy Goodnight | Laura | |
| 1988 | Adventures of Baron Munchausen, TheThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen | Venus/Rose | |
| 1990 | Henry & June | June Miller | |
| 1990 | Where the Heart Is | Daphne McBain | |
| 1991 | Robin Hood | Maid Marian | John Irvin directed TV movie. |
| 1992 | Final Analysis | Diana Baylor | |
| 1992 | Jennifer 8 | Helena Robertson | |
| 1993 | Mad Dog and Glory | Glory | |
| 1993 | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | Sissy Hankshaw | |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction | Mia Wallace | Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Performance Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 1995 | Month by the Lake, AA Month by the Lake | Miss Beaumont | |
| 1996 | Truth About Cats & Dogs, TheThe Truth About Cats & Dogs | Noelle | |
| 1996 | Beautiful Girls | Andera | |
| 1996 | Duke of Groove | Maya | TV film |
| 1997 | Gattaca | Irene Cassini | |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin | Dr. Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy | |
| 1998 | Les Misérables | Fantine | |
| 1998 | Avengers, TheThe Avengers | Emma Peel | |
| 1999 | Sweet and Lowdown | Blanche | |
| 2000 | Vatel | Anne de Montausier | |
| 2000 | Golden Bowl, TheThe Golden Bowl | Charlotte Stant | |
| 2001 | Tape | Amy Randall | |
| 2001 | Chelsea Walls | Grace | |
| 2002 | Hysterical Blindness | Debby Miller | Producer
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, TV Mini-series |
| 2003 | Paycheck | Dr. Rachel Porter | |
| 2003 | Kill Bill Volume 1 | The Bride/Black Mamba | Saturn Award for Best Actress
MTV Movie Award for Best Performance Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role |
| 2004 | Kill Bill Volume 2 | Beatrix Kiddo/The Bride/Black Mamba/Mommy | MTV Movie Award for Best Fight
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Performance |
| 2005 | Be Cool | Edie Athens | |
| 2005 | Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind | Kushana (Voice) | English re-dub version of 1984 movie |
| 2005 | Prime | Rafi Gardet | |
| 2005 | Producers, TheThe Producers | Ulla | |
| 2006 | My Super Ex-Girlfriend | Jenny Johnson/G-Girl | Nominated—People’s Choice Awards |
| 2008 | Life Before Her Eyes, TheThe Life Before Her Eyes | Diana | |
| 2008 | Accidental Husband, TheThe Accidental Husband | Emma Lloyd | also Producer |
| 2008 | My Zinc Bed | Elsa Quinn | |
| 2008 | Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, AA Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Joy | TV film |
| 2009 | Motherhood | Eliza Welsh | |
| 2010 | Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief | Medusa | |
| 2010 | Ceremony | Zoe | filming |
| 2010 | Team Berlin | Teeqer | pre-production |
| 2010 | Eloise in Paris | Nanny | pre-production |
| 2010 | Bel Ami | Madeleine Forestier | filming |
| 2011 | Girl Soldier | Sister Caroline | pre-production |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Cognac Festival du Film Policier | Jury “Coup de Chapeau” | Jennifer 8 | Won |
| 1995 | Razzie Awards | Razzie Award for Worst Actress | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | Nominated |
| 1995 | Academy Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1995 | BAFTA Awards | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1995 | Chlotrudis Awards | Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1995 | Golden Globe Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1995 | MTV Movie Awards | MTV Movie Award for Best Performance | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1995 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1998 | Kids’ Choice Awards | Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress | Batman & Robin | Nominated |
| 1998 | Razzie Awards | Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress | Batman & Robin | Nominated |
| 1999 | Razzie Awards | Razzie Award for Worst Actress | Avengers, TheThe Avengers | Nominated |
| 2001 | Gotham Awards | Best Actress | Won | |
| 2002 | Independent Spirit Awards | Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female | Tape | Nominated |
| 2003 | Golden Globe Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film | Hysterical Blindness | Won |
| 2003 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Hysterical Blindness | Nominated |
| 2004 | Saturn Awards | Saturn Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Won |
| 2004 | BAFTA Awards | BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Nominated |
| 2004 | Empire Awards | Empire Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Won |
| 2004 | Golden Globe Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Nominated |
| 2004 | MTV Movie Awards | MTV Movie Award for Best Performance | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Won |
| 2004 | Online Film Critics Society Awards | Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 1 | Nominated |
| 2004 | Irish Film and Television Awards | Audience Award for Best International Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2004 | Teen Choice Awards | Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress – Drama/Action Adventure | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Saturn Awards | Saturn Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Critcis Choice Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Empire Awards | Empire Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Golden Globe Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | MTV Movie Awards | MTV Movie Award for Best Performance | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Online Film Critics Society Awards | Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | Satellite Awards | Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Kill Bill Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2005 | People’s Choice Awards | People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Action Movie Star | Nominated | |
| 2007 | People’s Choice Awards | People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Action Movie Star | Nominated |




