Kate Hudson

Born: 19 April 1979
Where: Los Angeles, California

Hudson made her breakthrough as the glamorous groupie Penny Lane in Almost Famous, for which she landed a Golden Globe.

The daughter of actress Goldie Hawn and comedian-musician Bill Hudson, Kate was raised by her mother and long-time partner Kurt Russell.

A graduate of performing arts school, she made her debut in 200 Cigarettes and was next seen opposite Christina Ricci in Desert Blue.

Next up was the psychological drama Gossip before she hit the big time being cast by Cameron Crowe in Almost Famous, for which she also received a best supporting actress nod at the Oscars.

She married Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson in December 2000 and gave birth to a baby son, Ryder, in January 2004.

Other roles have seen her star in Dr T And The Women, opposite Richard Gere, and also in Irish romantic comedy About Adam.

Recent work includes the chick-flick How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, with Matthew McConaughey, and The Four Feathers, opposite Heath Ledger.

She also played an American student who has an affair with a French politician in tepid Merchant-Ivory comedy Le Divorce with Glenn Close and Stephen Fry.

Hudson subsequently appeared in several romantic comedies, including Alex and Emma and Raising Helen.

In 2005, she starred in the thriller The Skeleton Key and then returned to comedy with You, Me and Dupree, co-starring Owen Wilson and Matt Dillon.

Recent work includes the romance-come-adventure Fool's Gold alongside Matthew McConnaughey.