50 Astonishing Facts About Actresses – Part 6

Katharine Hepburn is the sole recipient of an Oscar for portraying a family member. She was a direct descendant of Eleanor of Aquitaine, whom she portrayed in The Lion in Winter, earning her the Best Actress award. Eleanor had been deceased for over 750 years when Hepburn took on the role.

Sandra Bullock speaks fluent German, having been raised in Germany and Austria for 12 years while her father worked for the U.S. Army in Europe.

While taking the New York City subway, an agent spotted Lucy Liu, which led to her first role in a commercial.

Laura Innes, the actress who portrayed Dr. Kerry Weaver on the NBC television series ER, developed spine issues after 10 years of limping on set.

Actress Thandiwe Newton decided to correct her name in April 2021 after a 30-year career of going by Thandie, which originated from a misspelling in the credits of her first film.

Actress Jennifer Connelly served as the inspiration for Princess Jasmine's appearance in 'Aladdin.' Subsequently, Jasmine's final appearance led the studio to redesign Aladdin, based on actor Tom Cruise, as Disney felt the original depiction was "too scrawny" to have believable chemistry with Jasmine.

Carrie Fisher was initially cast as Miss Scarlet in the 1985 cult classic film 'Clue.' Lesley Ann Warren took her place at the last minute after the movie's insurance company refused to pay for Fisher because she had just started an outpatient cocaine addiction program.

Angelina Jolie underwent a mastectomy due to an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. Her chance of developing breast cancer decreased from 87% to under 5% after the mastectomy.

Betty White was originally slated to play Blanche, while Rue McClanahan was set to play Rose on Golden Girls. However, neither actress wanted to be typecast, so producers allowed them to switch roles.

Shelley Duvall received a nomination in the first Razzies for Worst Actress for her role in The Shining.