Phoebe Belle Cates was born on July 16, 1963, in the vibrant city of New York, where she would spend her formative years. As the daughter of Lily and Joseph Cates, a renowned Broadway producer and television pioneer, Phoebe was exposed to the world of entertainment from a young age. Her uncle, Gilbert Cates, was also a director and producer, further solidifying her connection to the industry. With roots tracing back to Russian Jewish and one quarter Chinese descent, Phoebe's cultural heritage played a significant role in shaping her identity.
Growing up, Phoebe attended Miss Hewitt's school and later enrolled in the Professional Children's School in New York City. Her passion for the arts led her to take classes at Juilliard, where she honed her skills for three and a half years until a knee injury forced her to pause her studies. However, this setback did not deter Phoebe from pursuing her dreams.
As a young model, Phoebe began her career at the age of fourteen, quickly making a name for herself in the industry. She went on to feature on the covers of numerous magazines, including Seventeens, Elle, British Vogue, and Andy Warhol's Interview. Her extensive modeling career took her to various parties, where she eventually met her film agent at a Studio 54 soiree.
Phoebe's transition to the world of film was seamless, as she made her motion picture debut in the 1982 film Paradise, followed by her breakout role in Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She then landed the role of Christine Ramsey in Private School (1983) and co-starred in the critically acclaimed Gremlins (1984) for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment.
Throughout her career, Phoebe has remained committed to her craft, both on and off stage. Her New York debut in Joseph Papp's Off-Broadway production of "The Nest of the Wood Grouse" in 1984 marked the beginning of her theatrical journey. She went on to appear in David Henry Hwang's "Rich Relations" at The Second Stage and a one-act festival at the Manhattan Punchline, as well as productions of "The Sea Gull" at the La Jolla Playhouse and "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Public Theatre.
In her personal life, Phoebe has been married to actor Kevin Kline since 1989, with whom she shares two children.
