HOLLYWOOD CAREER

Starting out as a child model for Wilhelmina at the age of nine, Katherine Heigl quickly appeared on magazine ads, posed for Sears and Lord & Taylor catalogs, and a TV commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal. Following a number of commercials and modeling jobs, twelve-year-old Heigl debuted in That Night (1992, played Kathryn) and later appeared in Steven Soderbergh's King Of The Hill in 1993.

In 1994, Heigl's break out role came when she was cast as Gerard Depardieu's daughter Nicole in the remake of the French film My Father, the Hero (1994). Her role as a disobedient teen dealing with her overprotected divorced father drew the attention of pleased audiences.

Heigl followed it up with a role in the action film Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), in which she portrayed Steven Seagal's niece Sarah Ryback. Through the blockbuster's worldwide release, Heigl was invited to appear on such popular TV shows as The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

She next was seen with Tom Sizemore in the bizarrely titled Zzyzzx Rd. (2005, as Marissa) before playing Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens in ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy (2005). Starring as a model-turned-surgical resident, Heigl's popularity rose as the show became one of the hottest of the year.

2005 remained busy for Heigl when she was cast in the starring role of Karly Hert in director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau's satirical comedy Side Effects. Fans will also catch Heigl in Barry W. Blaustein's comedy The Ringer and then as Delilah in Richard Janes' horror film The 9th Passenger.

2006 will find Heigl starring in John Cosgrove's comedy Caffeine.

KATHERINE FAMILY

Childhood and Family

Daughter to Paul Heigl (an accountant) and Nancy Heigl (Katherine's manager), Katherine Marie Heigl was born on November 24, 1978, in Washington D.C. Along with older siblings Holt and Jason (died of brain injuries in a car accident) and sister Meg, Katherine spent most of her childhood in an old Colonial-style farmhouse in a prosperous neighborhood of New Canaan, Connecticut.

A mix of German and Irish origin, Katherine, whose nickname is Katie, tried her hand at modeling by posing for her aunt's hair care product. After the photographs were sent to several modeling agencies, nine-year-old Katie became a child model for well-known international modeling agency Wilhelmina. She immediately made her debut in magazine ads, posed for Sears and Lord & Taylor catalogs, and made her TV debut in a national commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal. Following modeling work and commercial ads, Katie then added acting to her endeavors when she was 12 years old.

In New Canaan High School, Katie experienced a hard time balancing her academic studies with work. After the divorce of her parents, Katie, whose favorites actors are Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, Jessica Lange, Marlon Brando, Robin Williams, Anthony Hopkins, and Russell Crowe, relocated to Malibu Canyon, Los Angeles (with her mother) to pursue acting professionally. Commenting about her choice, she said," I was a good student, but I had found my niche as an actress and I was already looking to the future."

KATHERINE HEIGL

Katherine Heigl Sexy Photos And Movies

Birth Place: Washington D.C., USA

Date of Birth: November 24, 1978

Heritage: American

Famous for: Her role in 'That Night' (1992)

Model-turned-actress Katherine Heigh first attracted the public's attention when she portrayed Gerard Depardieu's disobedient daughter Nicole in the remake of the French film My Father, the Hero (1994). She also gained notice for playing Steven Seagal's niece Sarah Ryback in the blockbuster hit Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995). On the small screen, the American actress gained worldwide fame after a regular role as the arrogant but defenseless Isabel Evans in the teen sci-fi drama Roswell (1999-2002). After the series, Heigl received more awareness for playing roles in such TV movies as Love Comes Softly (2003), Wuthering Heights (2003), Love's Enduring Promise (2004) and playing Dr. Stevens in the series Grey's Anatomy (2005).

Off screen, and in memory of her late brother's organ donation, Heigh helps promote the importance of organ donation. Being asked about her activity, she said, "It's hard for people to be thinking about organ donation for the first time in the midst of crisis. But organ donation is the most honorable way to preserve the memory of someone you love. I learned through difficult experience that this is the right and humanitarian thing to do. The need is always out there. Make sure the people around you know your feelings on organ donation, so your loved ones can fulfill those wishes without any doubt."

As for her private life, the green-eyed, blonde-haired beauty was previously linked to Blossom actor Joey Lawrence (met at Seventeen magazine's 50th Birthday celebration in 1994), but the relationship only lasted three months. Commenting about her brief romance, Heigh said," I was on the East Coast. He was in L.A. It was mostly over the phone."