Jennifer Beals

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Biography

Recent Role:
Sophia Conrad on Castle
Gender:
Female
Born:
12-19-1963
Birthplace:
Chicago, Illinois (USA)
A thin, naturally attractive brunette with a personable smile and the brains to match her beauty, actress Jennifer Beals was virtually propelled to overnight stardom and fashion icon status with her energetic performance in director Adrian Lyne's 1983 dance drama Flashdance. Though her career would suffer a slight setback when it was revealed that Beals didn't perform all of her own dance moves in the sleeper hit, the talented actress would endure to make something of a comeback in the late '90s.


A Chicago native who was traveling in Europe when her publicist called


More her for a New York audition that the filmmakers were pitching as a "female Saturday Night Fever," Beals booked the first flight back to the states and, despite the presence of thousands of other eager young actresses, somehow managed to stand out from the crowd to impress producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Beals' only other film work to that point was as an extra in 1980's My Bodyguard, so it was quite a gamble to cast a virtual unknown in the lead. This was especially true, given that, days before the film's premiere, Paramount Pictures sold off 25 percent of the film; however, the gamble paid off and Flashdance became nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. With ripped, oversized sweaters adorning teenage girls nationwide, it seemed as if Beals had the cinematic world at her fingertips -- and then the bottom dropped out. When it was later revealed that Beals impressive moves weren't entirely her own, audiences felt betrayed (as if action stars really do all of their own stunts) and subsequently protested the burgeoning actress without taking into consideration that she was the dramatic core of the film.


Opting to continue her education at Yale immediately following Flashdance's production, roles in such efforts as The Bride (1985) and Split Decisions (1988) were squeezed in during Beals' summer breaks. Though neither effort did much to forward Beals' career, the actress would continue to appear in such quirky, low-budget efforts as Vampire's Kiss (1989) and Blood and Concrete (1991) moving into the 1990s. Beals was married to director Alexandre Rockwell in 1986, and in 1992 she would appear opposite Steve Buscemi and Seymour Cassel in Rockwell's comedy drama In the Soup.


If the majority of the 1990s found Beals relegated to mostly unseen independents, high-profile roles in such acclaimed efforts as Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), and The Last Days of Disco (1998) proved without a doubt that the now-established actress certainly had the skills and endurance to maintain a successful screen career. Though the early years of the millennial turnover may have found Beals on shaky cinematic ground with such efforts as Jim Wynorski's Militia and the tiresomely derivative sequel Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying (both 1990), her reputation as something of an independent darling would solidify with roles in such critically acclaimed indies as The Anniversary Party (2001) and Roger Dodger (2002). Despite her divorce from Rockwell and remarriage to another man unassociated with the film business, Beals would later turn up in the Rockwell-directed comedy 13 Moons (again opposite Buscemi), while preparing for roles in such upcoming features as Runaway Jury and Break a Leg (both 2003). In 2004 Beals took a turn as a lesbian in the made-for-cable series The L Word. In her spare time Jennifer Beals is an avid photographer.

Jennifer Beals is biracial, with an African-American father (deceased since she was 10) and an Irish mother. She is a graduate of Yale University.

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  •  
    10 Perfect
    One of my favs! hide show

    Jennifer is beautiful person and gorgeous actress... I adore her with all my heart... She's absolute pleasure to watch in her current character in The L Word... I'd love to see her in some good-class movies... She's really got amazing spirit... I'm a huge admirer of hers...

    I'm so glad she's a part of The L Word cast... I'm always enjoying every second of her performance, although I must admit that she didn't always belong to my favourite cast members... But now it's completely different... I'm loving her more and more every single episode... Give her as much air time as possible...!

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    10 Perfect
    She amazes me!!! This woman never seems to age. She is like a fine wine..."Better with age", and she surely doesn't show hers... hide show

    I am truely amazed by this fantastic woman. Jennifer has looked great from the word GO! There is something about her that keeps everyone coming back for more...and I am one of those people. I try to read all the magazine interviews and watch all movies and TV programs that has her in them. She has kept busy since she started back in 1980 with her first part in My Bodyguard. She looked so cute in that. I know her family must be real proud of her accomplishments. She never stops amazing me in all the parts she has played. Her roles are not always the easy ones but she manages to do a great job. Jennifer is the only person I have seen that can change her moods so quickly in her acting. Laughing one second and crying the next seems so easily done. I hope she continues to bless us with more TV interviews, movies and magazine articles. I would hate to think after TLW that she would just disapear from us. She has one movie coming soon and I can't wait til it is out. They started filming this February. Jennifer is a very private person and I respect her for that. I only wish we could get a small glimps of her precious daughter. She must be goreous also. I will continue to be a fan as long as I am still here on earth. She is one fine lady. Just a little tid-bit...Jennifer looks a lot like my mother when mom was young. My grandkids thought it was their Nanny. I told them it was someone else and they were confused. They are only 4 and 5 years old. I hope Jennifer lives a long and healthy life doing what she does best....

    Love you Jennifer Beals

    A devoted fan

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    9.7 Superb
    Who can forget that cute girl with the off-the shoulder sweatshirt in Flashdance?Or that "wow" waterdance?
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    Thankfully no one not only in America,but in Europe as well. Beals is still remembered for her role in that highly succesful and classic film , however she seems to be rather more talented than we have already seen..or thought.
    She has been in a number of independent and underrated films in which she was quite good, and always seems to stand out with her presence.
    Ok ,she is talented,no doubt; But i guess that it is the combination of her charm and appeal that makes her special really. She is beautiful , classy , a woman with charisma and style . She is probably one of those lucky women who become more and more beautiful as they grow older.
    In L word she is great, portraying that woman that sees her life going from bad to worse ( i still wonder when was the last time we saw Bette having some really good news!). Perhaps it's because she is quite good in dramatic scenes; she has that kind of melancholy in her face that makes her ideal for drama. I absolutely loved the scene where she smashed her car and then started shouting at the guy she hit!!
    With the L word she is back, hotter than ever ..
    I do hope that we shall see much more of her in the future, in interesting and challenging roles.

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    10 Perfect
    So beautiful !!! I love her !!! hide show

    She's great in portraying Bette (L Word). So beautiful and very appealing. Her smile can put a spell on anybody. I think film makers should give her more break in a variety of theme, since she can portray anything under the sun. More power to you Jennifer, I will always be your loyal and faithful supporter. More power.

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    10 Perfect
    Amazing Women!! hide show

    Jennifer Beals is an amazing women!

    She is such a talented actress. I have watched her in a few things now, and i must admit she gets better with age, looking wise to!! She is so stunning. She is old enough to me my Mother, but damn! She is fine!

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