Catherine Zeta-Jones is a Welsh actress, who is most notable for the portrayal of Elena in the 1998 film entitled, The Mask of Zorro. She was born on September 25, 1969 in Swansea, Wales, to Patricia and David James Jones, a seamstress and a factory owner. Her name came for her grandmothers named Catherine Fair and Zeta Jones. In addition, Zeta-Jones entered the independent school in Swansea, Dumbarton House School, but later left to pursue her acting dreams. She had also entered The Arts Educational School, which is located in Chiswick, West London, where she took the course of musical theatre for three years. On the other hand, the stage career of Zeta-Jones has started when she was still a child, performing occasionally on her friends and family functions and became one of the members of the local dance troupe called, Hazel School of Dance. She then had her professional acting debut when she appeared in the Broadway musical called, Annie. At the young age of 14, the American actor, Mickey Dolenz, includes her in the ensemble of the musical film entitled, Bugsy Malone, where she portrayed the role of Tallulah. When she reached the age of 17, Zeta-Jones was also included in the casts of the stage musical of The Pajama Game in year 1986, which was held at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, which also includes the stars of Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley.

Subsequently, Zeta-Jones starred in the musical called, 42nd Street, where she portrayed the role of Peggu Sawyer, which held at the Theatre Royal, Dury Lane. She was also included in the casts of a Kurt Well opera entitled, Street Scene, in year 1989. After the show was over, Zeta-Jones headed to France, where she earned the key role in the film of the French Director Philippe de Broca called, Les 1001 Nuits. She then starred together with David Jason, Pam Ferris and Philip Franks in the British comedy drama entitled, The Darling Buds of May, which made her more famous. On the other hand, Zeta-Jones has also starred in one of the episodes of the TV series of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and was also included in the casts of the 1992 film called, Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, where she portrayed the role of Beatriz Enrique de Arana, together with Georges Corraface and Marlon Brando. After appearing in a TV commercial for the German Deutsche Bahn, Zeta-Jones continued to have fair success. She then earned various TV projects, which also includes the 1994 film called The Return of the Native, and the 1995 miniseries of Catherine the Great.

Zeta-Jones was also included in the ensemble of the 1993 British film of Splitting Heirs, where she portrayed the role of Kitty Farrant, alongside Eric Idle and Rick Moranis. In year 1996, Zeta-Jones appeared as Sala in the film called, The Phantom, which also includes the stars of Billy Zane and Kristy Swanson. On the following year, she was included in the cats of the CBS TV film called, Titanic, together with the stars of Peter Gallagher and Tim Curry as well as George C. Scott, where she portrayed the role of Isabella Paradine. On the other hand, the film director Steven Spielberg, who noticed her acting performance on Titanic, recommended her to Martin Campbell, who stands as the director of The Mask of Zorro. She then earned the female lead role in the film together with Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins. For her to portray the role of Elena, Zeta-Jones learned how to dance, ride and sword-fighting. For her portrayal on the film, Zeta-Jones earned a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Female Newcomer and was also garnered an Empire Award nomination for the British Actress as well as a nomination for a Saturn Award for the Best Actress. In year 1999, Zeta-Jones starred in the caper film entitled, Entrapment, where she portrayed the role of Virginia ‘Gin’ Baker, together with the stars of Sean Connery and Will Patton. On the following year, she appeared as Helena Ayala in the crime drama film called, Traffic, which also starred Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle and Benicio del Torro as well as Dennis Quaid.

Zeta-Jones was also included the casts of the 2001 romantic comedy film of America’s Sweethearts, where she portrayed the role of Gwen Harrison, together with Julia Roberts and Billy Crystal as well as John Cusack. On the following year, Zeta-Jones appeared in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical called, Chicago. The film earned her an Academy Award for the Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA Award for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role as well as two Screen Actors Guild Awards in the category for the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. On the same year, she lent her voice for the role of Marine in the animated film of Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, alongside Brad Pitt. In year 205, she reprised her role of Elena in the sequel film of The Mask of Zorro called, The Legend of Zorro. On the other hand, in year 2007, Zeta-Jones starred together with Aaron Eckhart and Abigail Breslin in the romantic comedy film called, No reservations, where she portrayed the role of Kate Armstrong. Moreover, in year 2009, she starred in the romantic comedy film called, The Rebound, which also starred Justin Bartha and Kelly Goud. In addition, Zeta-Jones is set to appear in the upcoming films of Playing The Field, lay the Favorite and Rock of Ages.

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