Gwyneth Kate Paltrow was born in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, to a renowned producer and director, Bruce Paltrow, and a Tony Award-winning actress, Blythe Danner. Her father hailed from a Jewish family, whereas her mother boasted mostly German ancestry. At the tender age of eleven, the family relocated to Massachusetts, where her father began working in summer stock productions in the picturesque Berkshires. It was within this environment that Paltrow received her early acting training under the guidance of her parents. She graduated from the prestigious all-girls Spence School in New York City before moving to California, where she attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, majoring in Art History. However, she soon discovered that her passion lay elsewhere and thus discontinued her studies.
Paltrow made her film debut with a minor role in Shout (1991) and went on to feature in a diverse array of films over the next five years, including Flesh and Bone (1993); Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994); Se7en (1995); Jefferson in Paris (1995); Moonlight and Valentino (1995); and The Pallbearer (1996). Her captivating performance in the title role of Emma Woodhouse in Emma (1996) earned her the opportunity to take on the role of Viola in Shakespeare in Love (1998),for which she received the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Her extensive filmography also includes The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999),The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),Shallow Hal (2001),Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004),Proof (2005),Iron Man (2008),Two Lovers (2008),and Country Strong (2010).
Paltrow is also a devoted mother, having two children with her former husband, English musician Chris Martin.
