Izabella Scorupco

Born: 4 June 1970
Where: Bialystok, Poland

The ex-model first attracted attention as a Russian computer operator in the Bond franchise's return to form with GoldenEye introducing Pierce Brosnan.

She moved to Sweden with her mother as a child where she studied drama and music.

At 17 she was discovered by Swedish film director Staffan Hildebrand who cast her in the movie Only We Can Love Like This.

She then became a successful model in Sweden and throughout Europe, where she made use of her fluency in four languages.

In 1989, she launched her career as a pop singer - her first single Substitute and the subsequent album Iza both went gold.

Returning to acting in 1994, she landed the lead role in the Swedish film The Tears of Saint Peter.

After meeting Polish ice hockey player Mariusz Czerskawski, the couple relocated to the USA in 1995.

Barely a year later, the actress made her Hollywood debut as Bond girl Natalya Simonova opposite Brosnan in GoldenEye.

In 1999, she worked on the Scandinavian thriller The Diver.

Next up she travelled to New Zeland to reteam with GoldenEye director Martin Campbell for the climbing drama Vertical Limit.

Scorupco went on to star alongside Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale as a dragon-slaying helicopter pilot in the sci-fi thriller Reign of Fire.

Recent work includes the role of a nurse in Renny Harlin's prequel Exorcist: The Beginning.