Famke Janssen pictures

Famke (which means ‘little girl’ in Frisian) hails from Amsterdam, Holland.  A naturally beautiful young woman, she earned money by modeling while attending the University of Holland, where she studied Economics. Soon however, the demand for her as a model was growing, and so she decided to move to New York and get proper representation (she signed with the Elite Modeling Agency). Despite the move, she continued her studies at Columbia University, however she changed her major to English, specializing in Literature and Creative Writing. While studying at Columbia, she gave acting a try, taking courses under Harold Guskin.

After graduating, and having worked as a model for several years, Famke decided she wanted to give acting a try. Once again her change in direction precipitated a move - this time out to sunshiny Los Angeles. While there, she continued to take acting lessons, and eventually made her big screen debut in the poorly received Jeff Goldblum vehicle, Fathers and Sons.

Soon after, Famke was offered a guest spot on the sci-fi series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, then in its prime. The role was quite memorable, more so in hindsight than it was at the time. Famke played a metamorph who tantalizes the crew of the Enterprise, Captained by Patrick Stewart. Almost a decade later, she tantalized him again in X-Men, this time gifted with powers of telepathy and telekinesis.

After logging a few more mediocre credits for mediocre movies, things finally started to take off for Janssen when she was cast as the first Bond Girl of the newly rejuvenated Bond franchise in Goldeneye. She played Xenia Onatopp, the villainous assassin who crushes her victims to death with her thighs (ahem… only in Bond…)

The film brought Famke to everyone’s attention, but Janssen was wary - she was smart enough to realize that she was at a pivotal moment in her career. She could continue in the same vein and play up her sexuality and dark appeal, or she could try to branch out in other directions.  She avoided the “Pamela Anderson” route and began taking on roles in a variety of independent films and smaller productions, most notably Woody Allen’s Celebrity, Rounders (opposite Matt Damon) and The Adventures of Sebastian Cole. The savvy star has also always been sure to maintain her mainstream recognition, with roles in films like The Faculty, House on Haunted Hill, X-Men, Made and most recently Don't Say a Word.