Kate Beckinsale 

Birth name: Kathryn Bailey Beckinsale
Birth date: 26 July 1973

Pearl Harbour was one of the most defining moments in this Kate's career. The role of Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson gave this Brit actress the boost to ultimate stardom in Hollywood.

But, if you're the romantic comedy type, you should be able to remember her from the mushy flick, Serendipity, opposite John Cusack.

No?

How about the vampire blockbuster Van Helsing opposite hottie Hugh Jackman?

Kate Beckinsale, who is also a good friend of posh spice Victoria Beckham, started studying Russian literature at New College in Oxford, but pulled out before she could finish it.

She and then boyfriend Michael Sheen were quite a story in those days. They even have a child, Lily, from the relationship. But, when she was shooting for the movie Underworld (where Michael was the villian), she broke up with him and got close to the Director of the film, Len Wiseman.

But the two went quite strong after that, and were married in 2004.

Photograph: Getty Images