She is also executive producer on her leading television roles, which include the short-livedNBC television seriesState of Affairs from 2014 to 2015, theNetflix seriesFirefly Lane (2021–2023) and the upcominglimited seriesWoodhull. She has voiced characters in the animated filmThe Nut Job (2014) and its2017 sequel. Heigl also had a main role in the final two seasons of theUSA Networklegal drama seriesSuits (2018–2019).
Additionally, Heigl has established herself as a cover model, appearing in numerous publications includingMaxim,Vanity Fair, andCosmopolitan.[3][4]
Katherine Heigl was born on November 24, 1978, inWashington, D.C., inColumbia Hospital for Women.[5] She is the youngest of four children of Nancy (née Engelhardt), a personal manager, and Paul Heigl, a financial executive and accountant.[6] Her father is of Irish and German ancestry (including Swiss-German), and her mother is of German descent.[7][8] Heigl lived inNorthern Virginia and thenDenver, before her family moved to the town ofNew Canaan, Connecticut, when Katherine was five, and where she lived the rest of her childhood.[9]
In 1986, her older brother Jason died of injuries suffered in a car accident, after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck while out for lunch with some of his high school classmates.[10] Her brother's death led Heigl'sLutheran mother and Catholic father to convert tothe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Heigl, then eight, was raised in that faith.[11][12][13][14][15]
When Heigl was nine, her aunt, along with her parents, sent photos of her to a modeling agency. Within a few weeks, she was signed withWilhelmina Models as achild model.[16] Soon after she was signed with the agency, a client picked her for use in a magazine ad, where she made her modeling debut. At the time, Heigl was earning $75 an hour posing forSears andLord & Taylor catalogs. The first time Heigl appeared in a national television ad was forCheerios cereal.
Heigl began studying acting and made her film debut inThat Night (1992). She played Christina Sebastian inSteven Soderbergh'sDepression-era dramaKing of the Hill before being cast in her first leading role in the 1994 comedyMy Father the Hero. During this time, Heigl continued to attendNew Canaan High School, balancing her film and modeling work with her academic studies. Heigl dropped out of New Canaan High School after her sophomore year to pursue her career in Hollywood.
In 1995, she starred in theSteven Seagal-directedactionthrillerUnder Siege 2: Dark Territory. Heigl portrayed a 16-year-old named Sarah traveling by train through the mountains with her uncleCasey Ryback (Seagal), an ex-SEAL counter-terrorist expert, in order to visit the grave of her deceased father. The train is hijacked by mercenaries inColorado, who keep Heigl's character as a hostage. Much of her work in the film was oppositeMorris Chestnut, Sandra Taylor andEverett McGill. Despite an increased focus on acting, Heigl still modeled extensively, appearing regularly in magazines such asSeventeen.
In 1999, Heigl turned her attention to television when she accepted the role ofIsabel Evans on the science fiction TV dramaRoswell, a role that was expanded in the show's second and third seasons. Heigl had auditioned for all three of the show's female leads (the other two roles eventually went toShiri Appleby andMajandra Delfino) before she was finally cast as Isabel, an alien-human hybrid.[18] Heigl was frequently featured in photo essays in magazines such asLife,TV Guide, andTeen as well asFHM. She appeared in theFHM andMaxim calendars,FHM's annual "100 Sexiest Women in the World", and was featured in the Girls of Maxim Gallery.[19] In May 2006,Maxim awarded her #12 on their annual Hot 100 List as well as voted the 19th "Sexiest Woman in the World" by readers ofFHM magazine. WhileRoswell was in production, Heigl worked on several films, including100 Girls, anindependent 2001 film, andValentine, ahorror film starringDavid Boreanaz andDenise Richards.[20]
Heigl accepted a role inGround Zero, a television thriller scheduled to be telecast that fall which was based on the bestselling James Mills novelThe Seventh Power, in the spring of 2001. She co-starred as a brilliant and politically-concerned college student who helps to build a nuclear device to illustrate the need for a change in national priorities. The device ends up in the hands of a terrorist following betrayal by a fellow student. However, after theSeptember 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the film was shelved as its plot was considered inappropriate. It was released in 2003 under the titleCritical Assembly. After the 9/11 attacks, Heigl recorded apublic service announcement for theAmerican Red Cross to help raise money for victims.
Heigl also starred inZyzzyx Road; filmed in 2004 and not released until 2006; it has been cited as the lowest-grossing feature film of all time.[21]
In 2007, Heigl had her high-profile film breakthrough withKnocked Up (2007), a comedy from writer/directorJudd Apatow, oppositeSeth Rogen,Paul Rudd, and Apatow's wife,Leslie Mann. Upon its June 2007 theatrical release, the film received generally positive reviews from critics and proved to be a box office success and a summer romcom hit. The fees Heigl commanded increased after the film's success. The movie grossed $148,761,765 in the U.S., for which she earned a salary of US$300,000.[22] Heigl's role in the film transformed her into Hollywood's new "It girl" according toVanity Fair.[23]
Heigl starred withJames Marsden in the film27 Dresses, for which she received US$6 million.[22] TheNew York Post expressed some disappointment with the mismatch of Heigl's talent and the film's "chick-flick" triviality, suggesting Heigl might be more compatible "with female directors such asKimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry) orTamara Jenkins (The Savages)...".[25] Heigl was announced the Most Desirable Woman of 2008, according toAskMen.[26]Anne Fletcher, the director of27 Dresses described her as having the "‘It’ factor". She explained further, "You can't buy it; you can't learn it; you can't create it; it just is. We haven't had one of her in many years.Julia Roberts,Sandra Bullock,Meg Ryan— those have been our go-to girls for romantic comedy for a very long time, but we haven't had a new one. Katie has beauty, vulnerability, identifiability. She's funny, charming, lovely to watch. Her slightest eye movement is captivating; you know instantly what's going on."[23]
In a highly publicizedVanity Fair interview, Heigl said that though she enjoyed working with Apatow and Rogen when she starred inKnocked Up, she had a hard time enjoying the film itself. She called the film "a little sexist", claiming that the film "paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys."[27] Apatow and Rogen were reportedly not pleased with Heigl's interview, as Rogen said that he enjoyed working with Heigl and was stung by her comments.[28][29] Heigl's comments generated a widespread reaction in the media.[30][31] In an interview withPeople magazine, Heigl said:
My motive was to encourage other women like myself to not take that element of the movie too seriously, and to remember that it's a broad comedy"; and added, "Although I stand behind my opinion, I'm disheartened that it has become the focus of my experience with the movie."[32]
There was some speculation that Heigl might be leavingGrey's Anatomy after the end of itsfifth season. This speculation revolved around her refusal to submit her name for Emmy consideration for the previous season.[33] Heigl had disagreements with the character's direction in the fourth season, deeming the storyline involving Izzie's affair with George a "ratings ploy" that served to be "shocking"[27] and others speculated she would leave due to the time devotion in producing a film version ofCarolyn Jessop's bookEscape.[34][35][36][37] Heigl said publicly that she'd opted out of the Emmy race that year because she felt the material she'd received didn't warrant Emmy consideration.[38] The comment reportedly angered the show's producers and writers, who interpreted it as a slight on their work.Grey's showrunnerShonda Rhimes said she was not insulted by Heigl's Emmy withdrawal, and noted that Heigl's character was downplayed during the season because Heigl had asked for a lighter work schedule.[39] Despite Heigl's reported displeasure with the previous season, and persistent rumors that her character had died, ABC confirmed that Heigl would return for the sixth season ofGrey's.[40][41][42][43]
Heigl starred withGerard Butler inThe Ugly Truth (2009).[44] The film was made on a budget of $38 million and earned $205 million at the worldwide box office.[45]
Speculation as to whether Heigl would leaveGrey's Anatomy persisted through most of season six.[46] On March 11, 2010, Heigl reportedly did not show up for work on the show, and Heigl and series creatorShonda Rhimes subsequently reached an agreement to immediately release Heigl from her contract. As a result, Heigl's appearance on the January 21 episode ofGrey's Anatomy was her final appearance of that season and, thus far, in the series. Heigl said that she left the show to focus not on her film career, but on her family.[47][48][49] The backlash over Heigl's comments onKnocked Up andGrey's Anatomy has given Heigl a reputation of being difficult to work with which was seen to have damaged her career.[28]
In June 2010, Heigl starred in the Lionsgate comedy-thrillerKillers, withAshton Kutcher. She next starred in and produced the big-screen dramaLife As We Know It, directed byGreg Berlanti, which revolved around a woman and a man whose respective best friends die in a car accident. Following the deaths, they begin to share in caring for their late friends' orphaned daughter. Heigl received $12 million for both films.[50]
In 2011, Heigl appeared in the ensemble romantic comedyNew Year's Eve, directed byGarry Marshall. Despite being a commercial success, grossing over $142 million worldwide,[51] the film received generally negative reviews.[52] Heigl next had the lead role inOne for the Money (2012). Based on a series of novels[53] byJanet Evanovich, the film's lead character is Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter working for a bonding company. The film was a financial failure, grossing just over $36 million worldwide against its production budget of $40 million.[54] For her performance, Heigl received aGolden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actress.[55]
In January 2012, Heigl disclosed her enthusiastic desires to reprise her role onGrey's Anatomy and wrap up Izzie's storyline, conceiving an idea of her success in another hospital after floundering in the fictional Seattle Grace hospital where she was 'one step behind the eight ball'. She admitted to regretting leaving the show.[56][57] She complimented the great work environment and family dynamic of the cast but also stated, "I completely understand if it doesn't necessarily work ... They've got a lot of storylines going on there."[58]
In 2013, she appeared alongsideRobert De Niro,Susan Sarandon andDiane Keaton inThe Big Wedding, a comedy about an estranged family reuniting for a ceremony. A very poor critical and commercial reception greeted the film upon its release—it holds a 7% rating on film review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes and only made US$7.5 million in its opening weekend[59][60]—and for her role, Heigl was nominated for Worst Supporting Actress at the34th Golden Raspberry Awards. In June 2013, she began appearing in a television commercial for Vicks'ZzzQuil.[61]
2014–19: Departure from romcoms and television resurgence
In 2014, Heigl admitted toMarie Claire magazine that while she loves romantic comedies and was "so stoked to be doing them", she "hit it a little too hard," professing "I couldn't say no. There's nothing wrong with them, but maybe I overloaded my audience. I should have done a superhero movie or a psychological thriller."[62] During this period of time, Heigl broke away from her conventional romcom roles, pursuing romantic dramas, doing voiceover work, dark comedies and returning to dramatic television.
Heigl starred in the romantic dramaJackie & Ryan (2014), oppositeBen Barnes, portraying a recent single mom battling to hold onto her daughter and the love interest of a modern-day train hopper. The film was released in alimited release and throughvideo on demand byEntertainment One in the United States.[63] She also voice-acted the squirrel Andie in the animated filmThe Nut Job[64] which was released on January 17, 2014. She reprised her role in its 2017 sequel,The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature which was released theatrically on August 11, 2017.[65]
She next starred as a rejected and jealous housewife in the dark comedyHome Sweet Hell (2015), alongsidePatrick Wilson andJordana Brewster. Released for VOD and a limited theatrical run in North America, the film received largely negative reviews.[66]Variety wrote in its verdict: "Considering how often [Heigl] has been slammed for not being just another docile, eager-to-please female celebrity, it's hard not to suspect that she might have relished the chance to play an unapologetically ball-busting shrew—a grotesquely exaggerated version of a stereotype she's been assigned many times over. Indeed, Heigl's performance as a coolly murderous model housewife is the only real reason to even consider watchingHome Sweet Hell, an otherwise flailing and risible tale of adultery, extortion and suburban malaise that suggests a poor woman'sGone Girl".[67] She received aGolden Raspberry Award nomination forWorst Actress.
In 2015, Heigl starred as the titular role in the independent filmJenny's Wedding, about a woman who finally decides to get married, but her choice of partner tears her conventional family apart. AnIndiegogo campaign was later launched to help raise money for post-production costs, and like Heigl's previous few projects, the film was distributed for a VOD and limited release in certain parts of the United States only.[68]
She starred oppositeRosario Dawson andGeoff Stults in the erotic thrillerUnforgettable (2017), portraying a divorcée who torments the new fiancée of her ex-husband. The film was her firstwide release in three years; it garnered mediocre reviews and grossed a paltry US$4.7 million in its opening weekend.[69] Nevertheless,The Globe and Mail remarked that "Heigl works overtime to humanize the resentful mom—her face is like an old-fashioned cash register with the prices popping up—but she's more fun to watch as the story grows ugly and violent, and she unleashes the demon within".[70]
Heigl's lead roles in the 2014–15NBC political drama seriesState of Affairs[71][72] andCBS 2017 legal dramaDoubt were both cancelled after one season.[73] However, unlikeState of Affairs,Doubt premiered to what was described as "tepid" ratings byThe Hollywood Reporter, and CBS announced its cancellation after just two episodes, later burning out its episodes.[74]
Heigl returned to form when she was cast in theUSA Networklegal drama seriesSuits, playing the role of Samantha Wheeler, a new partner at the fictional law firm of Zane Specter Litt.[75] Heigl remained on the show for its final two seasons.
2020–present: professional expansion,Firefly Lane,Woodhull, and reunion with co-stars
Heigl was later cast in the leading role oppositeSarah Chalke andBen Lawson for the Netflix showFirefly Lane, released in 2021. Heigl is also executive producer. The series was a success and renewed for a second season. Also that year, Heigl co-starred inFear of Rain, a psychological thriller written and directed by Castille Landon.[76]Harry Connick Jr.,Madison Iseman andIsrael Broussard completed the cast. In December 2020, it was announced that Heigl will star and executive produce again with the limited seriesWoodhull. She is set to portray the first female candidate for the presidency of the United States,Victoria Woodhull.[77]
In January 2021, Heigl declared in an interview withThe Washington Post promotingFirefly Lane that she was "done apologizing" for her past reputation and criticized being labelled as "difficult" in the late 2000s and early 2010s. She also acknowledged how it may have impacted her career. Her27 Dresses co-starJames Marsden defended the actress' "courage" and "strong convictions" and remarked unsurprised at her career expanding role in executive production.[78] In September 2021, she endorsed theIATSE strike and remarked heavy criticism for speaking up about the harsh working conditions on the set ofGrey's Anatomy that the crew endured, while also commenting on health and safety failures in long-hour productions.[79] In 2022, her former co-starEllen Pompeo stated in a podcast that Heigl would have been branded a "hero" today for her 2009 remarks about their 17-hour workday. She further stated, "But she’s ahead of her time, made a statement about our crazy hours and of course, [it was like] ‘Let’s slam a woman and call her ungrateful.'"[80]
In the summer of 2023, Heigl and her former co-star Ellen Pompeo reunited atVariety Studio: Actors on Actors, where they talked about their time on Grey's Anatomy and Heigl's departure from the show, among other things. Heigl said: “I was so naive. I got on my soapbox, and I had some things to say, and I felt really passionate about this stuff. I felt really strong. I felt so strongly that I also got a megaphone out on my soapbox. There was no part of me that imagined a bad reaction. I felt really justified in how I felt about it and where I was coming from. I've spent most of my life — I think most women do — being in that people-pleasing mode. It's really disconcerting when you feel like you have really displeased everybody. It was not my intention to do so, but I had some things to say, and I didn’t think I was going to get such a strong reaction.” Pompeo responded: “You know what I love? There are two roles women fit into, victim or villain. And the women who are victims are only victims because they don't have the guts to be the villain."[81]
In June 2024, Heigl was a guest onShannen Doherty's podcast "Let's Be Clear..with Shannen Doherty" where they talked about how they lived against the negative labels placed on them in Hollywood and how important it is to them to care for and keep animals properly.[83]
In June 2006, Heigl became engaged to singerJosh Kelley, whom she had met a year earlier on the set of his music video for "Only You".[84] They chose not to live together before they were married, with Heigl later explaining, "I think I just wanted to save something for the actual marriage... I wanted there to be something to make the actual marriage different than the dating or the courtship."[85] They were married on December 23, 2007, inPark City, Utah. They live with their children inOakley, Utah.[86]
In September 2009, the couple adopted a daughter from South Korea, the birthplace of Heigl's sister Meg.[87] She was born with a heart defect and underwent open-heart surgery before leaving South Korea.[88] In April 2012, Kelley and Heigl adopted a second daughter from the U.S.[89][90] In June 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting their third child.[91][92] Heigl gave birth to a son on December 20, 2016.[93]
Heigl has worked withBest Friends Animal Society on several projects, including their Pup My Ride program. The program transports small dogs from high-killanimal shelters to other parts of the US where there is a higher demand for such dogs. She gave a grant to Best Friends to fund a year of the program.[94] Heigl and her mother, Nancy, started Heigl's Hounds of Hope, which operates as part of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation.
The Foundation was created in honor of Heigl's brother, who was killed in a car accident in 1986 at the age of fifteen. Heigl's Hounds of Hope rescues larger dogs with behavioral problems from shelters with a high kill rate. It rehabilitates them through training and other adjustments to make them suitable for re-homing.[94] As of 2014, Heigl had eight dogs of her own.[95]
In 2010, Heigl was honored with the "Presidential Service Award" byASPCA for her work and dedication toanimal welfare.[96] In 2011, Heigl launched the "I Hate Balls" Campaign, focused on promotingspay and neutering of pets, to help save the lives of millions of companion animals. The initiative features aPublic Service Announcement starring Heigl and produced byFunny or Die.[97] In 2012, on behalf ofPETA, she signed a letter to members of the Utah legislature, urging them to reject a law that would make undercover filming infactory farms a criminal offense.[98]
In the same year, Heigl was honored by "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)" for her dedication and commitment to adoption,[99] and by theAmerican Cancer Society for her work in helping to amplify the awareness of cancer-related issues through her public support of her mother's journey with the disease.[100][101]
Heigl is a strong proponent oforgan donation, working as a spokesperson for Donate Life America.[102][103] After the death of her brother Jason, Heigl's family chose to donate Jason's organs to people needingorgan transplants. Heigl was inspired by these events to later work as an activist for organ donation.[102]
