Catherine Zeta-Jones burst onto the scene from the misty hills of Swansea, Wales, where she was born on September 25, 1969, under the sign of Libra. At just 55, this Welsh firecracker has carved out a Hollywood legacy that’s as glamorous as it is grounded. Growing up in a tight-knit family, she discovered her passion for performing early—by age 11, she was already dazzling audiences with her tap-dancing skills in local productions.
Her big break came at 14, when she snagged the lead role in Annie at the Swansea Grand Theatre, a moment that launched her into the spotlight and never let her go. From there, Catherine honed her craft on British TV before crossing the Atlantic. Hollywood took notice with her sultry turn as Elena Montero in The Mask of Zorro (1998), a role that showcased her sword-fighting prowess and undeniable charisma. She followed that with high-stakes thrillers like Entrapment opposite Sean Connery and a gritty performance in Traffic, but it was her razor-sharp portrayal of Velma Kelly in the 2002 musical Chicago that sealed her stardom—earning her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at just 33.
Off-screen, life got even more cinematic in 2000 when she tied the knot with Michael Douglas in a lavish New York ceremony, complete with plunging necklines and A-list guests. Their son Dylan arrived that same year, followed by daughter Carys in 2003. The couple’s 24-year marriage has weathered storms, from health battles to tabloid frenzy, but they’ve stuck together like pros.
Teaming up with Bruce Willis in the 2012 poker dramedy Lay the Favorite, she proved her range endures. Today, whether mentoring young actors or championing mental health awareness—a cause close to her heart after her own struggles—Catherine remains a force, proving that talent from Swansea can conquer the world.