Before she gained international recognition for her role as Izzie Stevens in the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Katherine Heigl has been involved in show business, with other acting credits up her sleeve. Born on November 24, 1978 in Washington, D.C., she started out as a child model, posing for shopping catalogs before appearing on television advertisements. She made her acting debut in the 1992 film That Night, which was also the launching vehicle of Eliza Dushku. Her first starring role was in the 1994 comedy My Father the Hero, after which she decided to abandon her studies and dedicate her time to acting.
While making appearances in films such as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory and Bride of Chucky, Heigl continued to model intensively, posing for fashion spreads in magazines like Seventeen. She turned her attention to television in 1999 when she played the alien hybrid Isabel Evans in the science fiction series Roswell. While the series was in production, she appeared in different films and television movies, and continued appearing in numerous photo shoots.
In 2005, Heigl was cast in her breakthrough role, as medical intern (and later doctor) Izzie Stevens on the hit drama Grey’s Anatomy. Her character—a former lingerie model who struggled her way to medical school, and upon becoming an intern herself, would usually get too emotionally involved with her patients—endeared her to audiences, and she promptly rose to popularity, appearing in films such as 27 Dresses and Knocked Up. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the drama. She later won an Emmy in the same capacity, news of which took Heigl by surprise—she had to be censored by the producers of the Emmy telecast after saying an expletive in surprise of her victory.
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Spouse: Josh Kelley (23 December 2007 - present)
Was with the Elite Modeling Agency.
Has two older brothers, Holt and John; and older sister, Meg. Brother Jason died from head injuries suffered in a car accident when she was very young.
Auditioned for all 3 female leads on "Roswell" (1999) before being cast as Isabel.
She is half Irish and half German.
1996: Graduated from New Canaan High School.
Beat out Alicia Silverstone for the lead role in My Father the Hero (1994).
Played the cello in High School.
Ranked #72 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002)
Has the same birthday as her former "Roswell" (1999) co-star Colin Hanks.
Her last name is pronounced "HI guhl."
Has played a character with the name of "Isabel" or "Isobel" three times. "Grey's Anatomy" (2005), "Roswell" (1999) and Wuthering Heights (2003) (TV).
Her real life best friend TR Knight also plays her best friend George on the "Grey's Anatomy"
Best friend of her "Grey's Anatomy" (2005) co-star T.R. Knight, who was a groomsman at her wedding.
Plans to marry fiance Josh Kelley, on December 23, 2007 in Utah where she has a ranch property. There will be a tribute to her late brother, Jason, at the ceremony [July 18, 2007].
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 12 nominations.
2008: (won) People's Choice Awards, USA
Favorite Female TV Star
2007: (won) Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
for: "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
2007: (won) Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for: "Grey's Anatomy" (2005)
Shared with: Justin Chambers, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, T.R. Knight, Sandra Oh, James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, Sara Ramirez, Kate Walsh, Isaiah Washington, Chandra Wilson
2005: (won) Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards
for: Love's Enduring Promise (2004) (TV)
2003: (won) Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards
for: Love Comes Softly (2003) (TV)
2009: The Ugly Truth - Abby Richter
2005-present: "Grey's Anatomy" - Dr. Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens
2008: 27 Dresses - Jane
2007: Knocked Up - Alison Scott
2006: Caffeine - Laura
2006: Zyzzyx Rd. - Marissa
2005: The Ringer - Lynn Sheridan
2005: Side Effects - Karly Hert
2005: Romy and Michele: In the Beginning - Romy White
2004: Love's Enduring Promise - Marty Davis
2003: Wuthering Heights - Isabel Linton
2003: Critical Assembly - Aizy Hayward
2003: Descendant - Ann Hedgerow/Emily Hedgerow
2003: Evil Never Dies - Eve
2003: Love Comes Softly - Marty Claridge
2002: "The Twilight Zone" - Andrea Collins (1 episode)
1999-2002: "Roswell" - Isabel Evans
2001: Valentine - Shelley Fisher
2000: 100 Girls - Arlene
1998: The Tempest - Miranda Prosper
1998: Bride of Chucky - Jade
1998: Bug Buster - Shannon Griffin
1997: Stand-ins - Taffy-Rita Hayworth's Stand-in
Prince Valiant - Princess Ilene
1996: Wish Upon a Star - Alexia Wheaton
1995: Under Siege 2: Dark Territory - Sarah Ryback
1994: My Father the Hero - Nicole
1993: King of the Hill - Christina Sebastian
1992: That Night - Kathryn
[on her role in My Father the Hero (1994)] There are still men who come up to me today and say, "You were really hot in that film!" I was 14, for God's sake!
One of the most interesting things about that show ["Roswell" (1999)] for me was that because Isabel was an alien, I got to do many things, so that was creatively satisfying. I think anyone's fear of getting involved in a show that could run for several years is that you'll be playing only one character for that long; that can get stale for an actor, so on "Roswell" I really lucked out.
["Razor" Magazine interview] I'm grateful people think I'm beautiful or think I'm sexy, and I suppose it's better than the alternative, but I do try to fight it a bit so it's not all people see me as. And I'd love to one day be in a position where I could choose a role to showcase my creativity versus just my bra size.
I love changing my look. I would love, love, love to cut all my hair off into a really short, punky haircut.
My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell of winning tonight. [While accepting the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens on "Grey's Anatomy" (2005), at The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards (2007) (TV).] [16 September 2007]