Kate Noelle Holmes (born December 18, 1978)[9] is an American actress and filmmaker. She first achieved fame asJoey Potter on the television seriesDawson's Creek (1998–2003).[3]
Holmes's marriage to actorTom Cruise,[11] which lasted from 2006 to 2012, attracted a great deal of media attention. They have one child together, a daughter named Suri.
Holmes was born inToledo, Ohio.[12] She is the youngest of five children born to Kathleen (née Stothers), a homemaker andphilanthropist, and Martin Joseph Holmes Sr., an attorney who played basketball atMarquette University under coachAl McGuire.[13][14][15][16] She has three sisters and one brother. Holmes was baptized aCatholic and attended Christ the King Church in Toledo.[17]
She graduated from the all-female Notre Dame Academy in Toledo (also her mother'salma mater), where she was a4.0 student.[18][19] AtSt. John's Jesuit andSt. Francis de Sales, nearby all-male high schools, Holmes appeared in school musicals, playing a waitress inHello, Dolly! and Lola inDamn Yankees.[20] She scored 1310 out of 1600 on herSAT and was accepted toColumbia University (and attended for a summer session);[12][18] her father wanted her to become a doctor.[19]
In January 1997, Holmes went to Los Angeles forpilot season, when producers and cast shoot new programs in the hopes of securing a spot on a network schedule. TheToledo Blade reported she was offered the lead inBuffy the Vampire Slayer but she turned it down in order to finish high school.[20]Columbia TriStar Television, producer of a new show namedDawson's Creek that was created by screenwriterKevin Williamson, asked her to come to Los Angeles to audition, but there was a conflict with her schedule. "I was doing my school play,Damn Yankees. And I was playing Lola. I even got to wear the feather boa. I thought, 'There is no way I'm not playing Lola to go audition for some network. I couldn't let my school down. We had already sold a lot of tickets. So I told Kevin and The WB, 'I'm sorry. I just can't meet with you this week. I've got other commitments.' "[7][20][21] The producers permitted her to audition on videotape. Holmes read for the part ofJoey Potter, thetomboy best friend of the title character Dawson, on a videotape shot in her basement, her mother reading Dawson's lines.[7][22]
The Hollywood Reporter claimed the story of Holmes's audition "has become the stuff of legend" and "no one even thought that it was weird that one of the female leads would audition viaFederal Express."[23] Holmes won the part.Paul Stupin, executive producer of the show, said his first reaction on seeing her audition tape was "That's Joey Potter!"[24] Creator and executive producer Kevin Williamson said Holmes has a "unique combination of talent, beauty and skill that makes Hollywood come calling. But that's just the beginning. To meet her is to instantly fall under her spell."[25] Williamson thought she had exactly the right look for Joey Potter. "She had those eyes, those eyes just stained with loneliness."[26] WhileDawson's Creek was met with mixed reviews,[27] Holmes attained national attention.[28][29] Holmes was soon on the covers of magazines such asSeventeen,TV Guide, andRolling Stone. Jancee Dunn, an editor atRolling Stone said she was chosen for the cover because "every time you mentionDawson's Creek you tend to get a lot of dolphin-like shrieks from teenage girls. The fact that she is drop-dead gorgeous didn't hurt either."[30]
During her time as a series regular onDawson's Creek, Holmes's first leading role in a film came in 1998'sDisturbing Behavior, aScream-eraStepford Wives-goes-to-high school thriller, where she was a loner from the wrong side of the tracks. The film was recut from what the director intended.Roger Ebert, then of theChicago Sun-Times wrote of her character, Rachel, "dresses in black and likes to strike poses on the beds of pickup trucks and is a bad girl who is in great danger of becoming a very good one."[31][32] Despite the fact that it received mixed reviews and was not a huge financial success, the actress won aMTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance for the role and also received a Saturn Award nomination for the part. Holmes, though, said the film was "just horrible."[19] In 1999, she played a disaffectedsupermarketclerk inDoug Liman's ensemble pieceGo.[33] The film received excellent reviews and made a profit, and Holmes herself was liked by critics. The same year, in Kevin Williamson'sTeaching Mrs. Tingle, which he wrote and directed, Holmes played a straight-A student whose vindictive teacher (Helen Mirren) threatens to keep her from a desperately needed scholarship.[34] Also in 1999, she had an uncredited cameo withDawson's Creek co-starJoshua Jackson inMuppets from Space, which was filmed inWilmington, North Carolina whereDawson's Creek also filmed.[35]
The year 2000 saw Holmes feature in two film roles. The first was inWonder Boys, directed byCurtis Hanson from the novel byMichael Chabon. The film told the story of a creative writing teacher at a university, withMichael Douglas in the leading role. Holmes had a small role (six and a half minutes of screen time) as Hannah Green, the talented student who lusts after Professor Grady Tripp (Douglas's character, who is her instructor and landlord). Many leading critics at the time took favorable notice to Holmes in the film.Kenneth Turan of theLos Angeles Times said she was "just right as the beauty with kind of a crush on the old man."[26][36][37] Her second feature film during 2000 wasThe Gift, aSouthern Gothic story directed bySam Raimi and starringCate Blanchett, she played the antithesis of Joey Potter: a promiscuous rich girl having affairs with everyone from asociopathic wife-beater (Keanu Reeves) to the district attorney (Gary Cole), and is murdered by her fiancé (Greg Kinnear). Holmes did her firstnude scene for the film, in a scene where her character was about to be murdered. Her appearance was lamented byVariety's Steven Kotler.[38] In Ohio, the scene met with disapproval from Russ Lemmon writing in theToledo Blade.[39]
Holmes hostedSaturday Night Live on February 24, 2001, participating in a send-up ofDawson's Creek where she falls madly in love withChris Kattan's Mr. Peepers character and singing "Big Spender" fromSweet Charity. In the 2002 filmAbandon, written byOscar winnerStephen Gaghan, Holmes plays a delusional, homicidal college student named "Katie". Todd McCarthy ofVariety and Roger Ebert commended her performance,[40] but other critics savaged it.[41] During the final season ofDawson's Creek, Holmes played the mistress of the public relations flack played byColin Farrell inPhone Booth, which was both critically and financially successful. She also appeared asRobert Downey, Jr.'s nurse inThe Singing Detective (2003).Dawson's Creek ended its run in 2003, and Holmes was the only actor to appear in all 128 episodes. "It was very difficult for me to leave Wilmington, to have my little glass bubble burst and move on. I hate change. On the other hand it was refreshing to play someone else", she said in 2004.[42]
2003–2009: Focus on film career, brief hiatus, and theatre work
Holmes's first starring role post-Dawson's Creek was in 2003'sPieces of April, a gritty comedy about adysfunctional family onThanksgiving. Many critics and audiences agreed that Holmes had given her best performance in the film as April.Variety said it was "one of her best film performances."[43] "Each actor shines", wroteElvis Mitchell, "even Ms. Holmes, whose beauty seems to have fogged the minds of her previous directors" in playing "a brat who is slaving to find her inner decency and barely has the equipment for such an achievement, let alone to serve a meal whose salmonella potential could claim an entire borough. Yet it is her surliness, as well as her intransigent determination to make Thanksgiving work, that keeps the laughs coming."[44] Holmes also received aSatellite Award for Best Actress for the role. On the November 9, 2003 episode, she wasPunk'd byAshton Kutcher and the next year she was the subject of an episode of the MTV programDiary.[45]
Holmes was a contender for the role of Christine Daaé in 2004'sThe Phantom of the Opera,[46] but lost the role toEmmy Rossum. That year, she starred as the U.S. President's daughter inFirst Daughter, which was originally slated to be released in January 2004 on the same day asChasing Liberty, another film about a president's daughter, but was ultimately released in September 2004, to negative reviews and low ticket sales.First Daughter, directed byForest Whitaker, also starredMichael Keaton as her character's father andMarc Blucas as her love interest. Kirk Honeycutt called her character Samantha Mackenzie "a startling example of how a studio film can dumb down and neutralize the comic abilities of a lively young star."[47] In the 2005 filmBatman Begins she playedRachel Dawes, an attorney in the Gotham City district attorney's office and the childhood sweetheart of the title character.Variety was unenthusiastic. "Holmes is OK", was its critic's sole remark on her performance.[48] She was nominated for aGolden Raspberry for "worst supporting actress" for the film.[49]
In 2005, Holmes characterised her film career as being a string of "bombs." "Usually I'm not even in the top ten", she said, the highest-grossing film of her career then beingPhone Booth.[5] She lamented "It's not like I have a lot of stuff that's great just waiting for me to sign on to."[50] She also appeared in the film version ofChristopher Buckley's satirical novelThank You for Smoking, about a tobacco lobbyist played byAaron Eckhart, whom Holmes's character, a Washington reporter, seduces.Variety wrote one of the film's "sole relatively weak notes [came] from Holmes, who lacks even a hint of the wiliness of a ruthless reporter" andThe New York Times said the cast was "exceptionally fine" except for Holmes, who "strain[ed] credulity" in her role.[51][52] The film ended up a success, even earning a nomination for theGolden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Also in 2005, Holmes had agreed to play inShame on You, abiopic about the country singerSpade Cooley written and directed byDennis Quaid, as the wife whom Cooley (played by Quaid) stomps to death. But the picture, set to shoot inNew Orleans,Louisiana, was delayed byHurricane Katrina, and Holmes dropped out due to her pregnancy.[53][54][55] After her daughter with Cruise, Suri, was born in April 2006, Holmes took a hiatus from her acting career until 2008.[citation needed]
After speculation about Holmes reprising her role inThe Dark Knight, the sequel toBatman Begins, it was finally confirmed that she would not appear. Her role was later recast withMaggie Gyllenhaal in her place.[56] Instead, Holmes decided to star in the comedyMad Money, oppositeDiane Keaton andQueen Latifah in 2008. The film flopped.[57]The Canadian Press criticized Holmes's performance, "While Keaton has long done zany and giddy well, and she and Latifah have an interesting contrast of personalities, Holmes' presence feels like an afterthought."[58]The New York Times andVariety also criticized Holmes's performance in the film, with the former calling her "the movie's weakest link".[59][60]
Returning to television in 2008, Holmes appeared in an episode ofEli Stone as Grace, a lawyer. Her singing and dancing was praised by Tim Stack ofEntertainment Weekly.[61]Holmes made her Broadway debut in the revival ofArthur Miller'sAll My Sons[62] in October 2008. She opened to mixed reviews.Ben Brantley ofThe New York Times claimed "the neophyte Ms. Holmes" is a "sad casualty" of director Simon McBurney's "high concept approach" to the play. He adds that "Ms. Holmes delivers most of her lines with meaningful asperity, italicizing every word."[63] However, the New YorkDaily News' Joe Dziemianowicz took a more positive view of her stage debut, writing, "Holmes, a TV and film vet, makes a fine Broadway debut. Her rather grand speech pattern takes getting used to, but she seems comfortable and adds a fitting glint of glamour."[64] In 2009, Holmes appeared in theNational Memorial Day Concert on the Mall in Washington, D.C. in a dialogue withDianne Wiest celebrating the life of an American veteran seriously wounded in Iraq, José Pequeño.[65]
In 2012, Holmes appeared inTheresa Rebeck's new comedyDead Accounts on Broadway.[68] Holmes andChace Crawford were reportedly cast as the leads in the romantic comedyResponsible Adults, to begin shooting in Los Angeles in "Fall 2011".[69][70][71] In 2015, Holmes joined the third season ofRay Donovan.[72]
In 2017, Holmes starred in the heist comedyLogan Lucky, directed bySteven Soderbergh. The film received positive reviews, with many critics praising the cast's performances and Soderbergh's direction, and grossed $48 million worldwide.[78]
Holmes was annually named by both the British and American editions ofFHM magazine as one of thesexiest women in the world from 1999 onward. She was named one ofPeople's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2003;[100] its siblingTeen People declared her one of the "25 Hottest Stars Under 25" that year;[101] and in 2005,People said she was one of the ten best dressed stars that year.[102] She has appeared in advertisements forGarnier Lumia haircolor,Coach leather goods, and clothing retailerGap.[103]
In November 2008, it was confirmed that she would be the new face of the spring 2009 campaign for the high-end fashion lineMiu Miu.[104] In 2008, Holmes started a high fashion clothing line called Holmes & Yang with longtime stylist Jeanne Yang.[105] ModelHeidi Klum is a fan of the line.[106] In July 2009, Holmes,Nigel Lythgoe,Adam Shankman, andCarrie Ann Inaba announced the launch of a dance scholarship fund called the Dizzy Feet Foundation.[107]
Beginning January 2011, she became the new face ofAnn Taylor Spring 11 collection.[108] Holmes & Yang presented their fashion line atNew York Fashion Week for the first time in September 2012.[109][110] Holmes acted as the face for theBobbi Brown Cosmetics brand in spring 2013 and Holmes had her own capsule collection of color cosmetics in fall of that year.[111] In 2013, she appeared in an advertising campaign for IRIS Jewelry.[112] In January 2013, Holmes was announced as the brand ambassador and co-owner of Alterna Haircare.[113]
Holmes dated herDawson's Creek co-starJoshua Jackson early in the show's run, which began in 1998. She said Jackson was her first love.[114] She met actorChris Klein in 2000. They became engaged in late 2003 but ended their relationship in early 2005.[115][116][117][118] They remained friends after the breakup.[119]
Holmes began dating actorTom Cruise in April 2005. Holmes, who was raised aCatholic,[120][121] began studyingScientology shortly after the couple began dating.[122] They became engaged in June 2005, seven weeks after meeting.[123] The couple's daughter, Suri, was born on April 18, 2006, the first anniversary of their first date. The name "Suri", as reported by Cruise's press release, derives from thePersian word for "red rose".[124] On November 18, 2006, Holmes and Cruise were married in a Scientologist ceremony at the 15th-centuryOdescalchi Castle inBracciano, Italy.[11] Their publicist said the couple had "officialized" their marriage in Los Angeles the day before the Italian ceremony.[125]
In early March 2011, Holmes filed a $50-million libel lawsuit againstStar magazine following a cover story that insinuated that she took drugs.[126] The suit was settled on April 27, 2011, after whichStar wrote a public apology in the May 6, 2011, issue of their magazine, and made an "undisclosed substantial donation" to Holmes's charity, Dizzy Feet Foundation.[127]
On June 29, 2012, Holmes filed for divorce from Cruise in New York after five and a half years of marriage.[128][129] Following the announcement, those close to Holmes stated that she believed she had reason to fear that Cruise would abduct Suri and was also apprehensive of intimidation by theChurch of Scientology. Cruise was filming inIceland at the time.[130] In July 2012, attorneys announced that the couple had signed a divorce settlement.[131] This was the first divorce for Holmes and the third for Cruise.[132][133] Holmes has custody of Suri.[134] Following her divorce from Cruise, Holmes returned to theCatholic Church and began attendingSt. Francis Xavier Church, a Catholic parish.[135][136]
Holmes dated chef Emilio Vitolo Jr. from 2020 to 2021.[137][138] In 2022, she dated musician Bobby Wooten III for seven months.[139]
In June 2011, Holmes received the Women in FilmMax Mara Face of the Future Award.[140] In 2005,TV Guide ranked Holmes No. 38 on its "50 Sexiest Stars of All Time" list.[141]
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