Elizabeth Hurley

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Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley 2015 TCA Press Tour (cropped).jpg
Hurley at the 2015 Television Critics Association's Press Tour in January 2015
Born
Elizabeth Jane Hurley

(1965-06-10) 10 June 1965 (age 56)
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
Alma materLondon Studio Centre
Occupation
  • Actress
  • model
  • businesswoman
Years active1987–present
Spouse(s)
Arun Nayar
​
​
(m. 2007; div. 2011)​
Partner(s)Hugh Grant
(1987–2000)
ChildrenDamian Hurley

Elizabeth Jane Hurley (born 10 June 1965) is an English actress, businesswoman and model.

As an actress, her best-known film roles to date have been as Vanessa Kensington in Mike Myers' hit spy comedy, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and as the Devil in Bedazzled (2000).[1] In 2015, Hurley began starring in the E! original series The Royals.

She has been associated with the cosmetics company Estée Lauder since the company gave Hurley her first modelling job at the age of 29.[2] They have featured her as a representative and model for their products, especially perfumes such as Sensuous, Intuition, and Pleasures, since 1995.[3] Hurley owns an eponymous beachwear line.[4]

Early life[]

Elizabeth Hurley was born on 10 June 1965 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, as the younger daughter of Angela Mary (née Titt) and Roy Leonard Hurley (8 June 1929 – 17 November 1996).[5] She is half Irish.[6] Her father was a major in the Royal Army Educational Corps;[7][8] her mother was a teacher at Kempshott Junior School.[5] She has an older sister, Kathleen[9] ('Kate'), and a younger brother, Michael Hurley.[10]

Hurley attended Harriet Costello School,[11] a mixed secondary in Basingstoke, and, while in her teens, she became involved with punk fashion, dyeing her hair pink and piercing her nose.[1] "When I was 16 – this was about 1981, 1982 – the thing to be in Basingstoke, the suburb I grew up in, was punk," she explained.[12] She also reportedly associated with New Age travellers in her youth.[13] Aspiring to be a dancer as a young girl, she enrolled in ballet classes. Hurley continued in the sixth form and took A-levels in English, Sociology and Psychology[14] in 1983 before spending three years studying dance and theatre at the London Studio Centre. She was expelled from the school in 1986 after going AWOL to a Greek island.[15]

Career[]

Film[]

Hurley made her first film appearance in Aria (1987).[5] She subsequently appeared in the movies Passenger 57, EDtv, Bedazzled, Serving Sara and Dangerous Ground. In 1997, she received her first and only acting award, the ShoWest Supporting Actress of the Year, for her performance in the spy spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.[1] When Hugh Grant founded and became the director of Simian Films in 1994, Hurley was credited as one of the producers for the company's two Grant vehicles, Extreme Measures (1996) and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999).[16] In 2000, she was publicly criticised for breaking a five-month acting strike to film an Estée Lauder advertisement, for which she was fined $100,000 (£70,000 in 2000) by the Screen Actors Guild and labelled "Elizabeth Scably" by protesters.[17][18]

Television[]

Hurley at the launch of Estee Lauder's new fragrance, Sensuous, in July 2008

In 1988, Hurley appeared briefly in a speaking part as a schoolgirl in "Last Seen Wearing", an episode of the detective series Inspector Morse, which was partly filmed at a real school, Reading Blue Coat,[19] Sonning, Berkshire. This is believed to have been her first TV role. In the same year she also played Rosie Japhet in an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey (Rumpole and the Barrow Boy). In the late 1980s, Hurley portrayed the title character in a five-part television drama, Christabel. After appearing in John Cleese's The Human Face (2001), she hosted the inaugural series of the British reality show Project Catwalk on Sky 1 in 2006. Hurley was criticised as a presenter by Marcelle D'Argy Smith, a former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, who said: "Liz Hurley has no fashion experience whatsoever. She wore a dress and has appeared at premieres." GQ's Dylan Jones defended her as someone "immersed in the fashion world as a celebrity."[citation needed] She was dropped after one series because her bosses reportedly believed she was too wooden.[20]

In 2011, Hurley filmed a guest star role in the series pilot of NBC's Wonder Woman as the villain Veronica Cale.[21] The network decided not to pick up the series. In July 2011, it was announced that Hurley would join the fifth season of Gossip Girl for a multi-episode arc. Her character, Diana Payne, was described by the series' executive producers as "a sexy, smart, self-made media mogul and all-around force to be reckoned with", whose "entrance on the Upper East Side will change the lives of all our characters—including, and especially, Gossip Girl herself."[22] In September 2013, she was cast in one of E!'s first two scripted pilots, The Royals,[23] which was picked up in March 2014 and aired in 2015.[24] The drama series, revolving around a fictional British Royal Family and set in modern London, stars Hurley as the matriarch Queen Helena.[24][25] Hurley played Marvel Comics villain Morgan le Fay in the final season of the Hulu show Runaways, released in 2019.[26] In January 2021, Hurley appeared as a guest judge on the premiere episode of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, series 2.

Fashion[]

Hurley with fashion designer Valentino Garavani at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival

In 1995, with no prior modelling experience, Hurley was introduced as an Estée Lauder spokesmodel.[2][1] She later recounted, "I was far from an ingénue, having had my first modelling job at 29."[2] Hurley has since featured in ads for Lauder's 'Pleasures', 'Beautiful', 'Dazzling', 'Tuscany per Donna', and 'Sensuous' fragrances as well as participated in campaigns for the company's other cosmetics.[27] She was replaced as the face of Estée Lauder by Carolyn Murphy in 2001. However, she continues to work with the company non-exclusively, signing a contract for the 16th year with Lauder in 2010.[3] In 2005, she modelled for Saloni, Liverpool Department Stores of Mexico, and Lancel. She was part of the seasonal advertising campaigns for Jordache, Shiatzy Chen, Got Milk?, Patrick Cox, MQ Clothiers of Sweden, and Lancel in 2006[28][29] and Monsoon in 2007.[30] In 2008, Hurley was unveiled as the seasonal campaign face for Blackglama mink. Hurley has appeared three times on the cover of British Vogue.[31] She is signed to TESS Management in London.[32]

In April 2005, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, her beachwear line that she also models every summer, was launched at Harrods in the UK.[4] It debuted later that year in select Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the United States and other European countries.[33] She told Tatler magazine, "I was on Necker Island for a fashion shoot and even as Richard Branson was lying back in a hammock, he was on the phone, doing deals, managing his empire. But then I thought I am never going to have even a holiday home, let alone an island, unless I start a business that I can do without disrupting Damian's school days."[34] In May 2008, Hurley designed and modelled a capsule collection of 12 swimsuits for the Spanish clothes brand MANGO.[35]

Charity[]

Hurley has been active in Estée Lauder's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, as part of which the company created an "Elizabeth Pink" lipstick whose sales benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.[36] Hurley's grandmother died of breast cancer.[37]

Hurley supported The Prince's Trust by co-presenting the 2003 Fashion Rocks event in its aid[38] and helping launch the Get Into Cooking youth initiative in 2004.[39] She has also helped raise funds for End Hunger Network,[40] ARK children's charity,[41] and the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre.[42]

She is a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.[43] She is also patron of the City Veterans Network, a charity based in the City of London that links former members of the Armed Forces to opportunities for rehabilitation and employment.[44]

Politics[]

In June 2016, on the day before the European Union membership referendum, Hurley stated her support for the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, posting on Instagram "I'm voting #Brexit#voteleave No gloating from the winners- no whinging from the losers VOTE!!"[45]

Personal life[]

Hurley was a relatively unknown actress when she met Hugh Grant in 1987 while working on a Spanish production called . In the 1990s, Hurley became known as the girlfriend of Hugh Grant.[46] In 1994, as Grant became the focus of international media attention due to the success of his film Four Weddings and a Funeral,[47] Hurley accompanied him to the film's London premiere in a plunging black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins, which gained her instant media attention.[48][49] While dating Hurley, Grant gained international notoriety for soliciting the services of a prostitute in 1995. Hurley stood by him and accompanied Grant to the premiere of his movie Nine Months.[1] After 13 years together, Hurley and Grant announced an "amicable" split in May 2000.[46][50][51]

Hurley with her then husband Arun Nayar at the Ampney Crucis Village Fete in 2008

On 4 April 2002, Hurley gave birth to a son, Damian Charles Hurley.[52] The baby's father, American businessman Steve Bing, denied paternity by alleging that he and Hurley had a brief, non-exclusive relationship in 2001.[53] A DNA test, however, established Bing as the child's father.[54] Hugh Grant is Damian's godfather.[55] Hurley is godmother to Patsy Kensit and Liam Gallagher's son Lennon and two of David and Victoria Beckham's sons (Brooklyn and Romeo).[56]

In late 2002, Hurley started dating Indian textile heir Arun Nayar, who has run a small software company since 1998.[57] They married in 2007. The Indian celebrations included a sangeet at Nagaur Fort[58][59] and a reception at Mehrangarh Fort.[60] Hurley lived on a 400-acre (1.6 km2) organic farm in Barnsley, Gloucestershire, with her son and husband.[61] In December 2010, Hurley announced that she and her husband had separated several months earlier.[62] Hurley filed for divorce on 2 April 2011, citing as the cause Nayar's "unreasonable behaviour",[63] grounds for divorce under English law. The divorce was granted on 15 June 2011.[64]

In late 2011, three months after her divorce, Hurley and Shane Warne, a former Australian cricketer, were engaged.[65] On 16 December 2013, Hello magazine reported that the couple had decided to split.[66]

In 2012, Hurley bought the Grade II listed mansion Donnington Hall, near Ledbury, Herefordshire as her main home.[67]

In March 2018, her nephew Miles Hurley was stabbed repeatedly in the back by a group of men in Wandsworth, south London. She described it as an "appalling" time for the family, stating: "The deepest wound just missed severing his spine. By some miracle no vital organs were damaged."[68]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Aria Marietta Segment "Die tote Stadt"
1988 Rowing with the Wind Claire Clairmont
1990 Kill Cruise Lou
1992 The Long Winter Emma Stapleton
Passenger 57 Sabrina Ritchie
1994 Beyond Bedlam Stephanie Lyell
1995 Mad Dogs and Englishmen Antonia Dyer
1997 Dangerous Ground Karen
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Vanessa Kensington
1998 Permanent Midnight Sandra Stahl
1999 My Favorite Martian Brace Channing
EDtv Jill
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Vanessa Kensington
2000 The Weight of Water Adaline Gunn
Bedazzled The Devil
2001 Double Whammy Dr. Ann Beamer
2002 Dawg Anna Lockheart
Serving Sara Sara Moore
2004 Method Rebecca Also executive producer
2008 Valentino: The Last Emperor Herself Documentary
2010 Made in Romania Herself
2014 Viktor Alexandra Ivanov
2018 An Elephant's Journey aka Phoenix Wilder and the Great Elephant Adventure Aunt Sarah
2020 Then Came You Clare

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Inspector Morse Julia Episode: "Last Seen Wearing"
Christabel Christabel Bielenberg Miniseries; 5 episodes
Rumpole of the Bailey Rosie Japhet Episode: "Rumpole and the Barrow Boy"
1989 Act of Will Christina Miniseries
1990 Frederick Forsyth Presents Julia Latham Episode: "Death Has a Bad Reputation"
1991 The Orchid House Natalie Miniseries; episode: "Natalie"
1992 The Good Guys Candida Ashton Episode: "Relative Values"
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Vicky Prentiss Episode: "London, May 1916"
1994 Sharpe Lady Farthingdale Episode: "Sharpe's Enemy"
1995 The Shamrock Conspiracy Cecilia Harrison Television film
1996 Harrison: Cry of the City
Samson and Delilah Delilah
2001 The Human Face Various Documentary miniseries; 3 episodes
2005 Signé Chanel Herself Documentary miniseries; episode: "La collection"
2006 Project Catwalk Host, judge and executive producer (season 1)
2011–2012 Gossip Girl Diana Payne Recurring role, 14 episodes
2014 The Tomorrow People Alice Voice; 2 episodes
2015–2018 The Royals Queen Helena Main role, 40 episodes
2019 Runaways Morgan le Fay Season 3[69]
2021 RuPaul's Drag Race UK Herself Guest Judge (Season 2, Episode 1)

Theatre[]

  • The Cherry Orchard – A Jubilee (Russian & Soviet Arts Festival)
  • The Man Most Likely To (Middle East tour)

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Liz Hurley: Life in the spotlight". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Estée Lauder Lauds Elizabeth Hurley". Fashion Week Daily. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Murphy sidelines Hurley at Lauder Archived 24 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine – CNN. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "The naked ambition of Liz Hurley". timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Elizabeth Hurley Archived 19 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine – thebiographychannel.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  6. ^ "Liz Hurley prepares for a Catholic retreat". The Independent. 1995. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  7. ^ The London Gazette, Supplement 44791, pg 1803, 14 February 1969
  8. ^ "Calcutta : Nation". The Telegraph.
  9. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley Biography, Bio, Profile, pictures, photos from Netglimse.com". 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley Biography". netglimse.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley - Fashion Designer". Fashionmodeldirectory.com. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  12. ^ When Sell-outs reach their sell-by date – herald.ie. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  13. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley". Gossip Rocks. 10 June 1965. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  14. ^ Tresidder, Jodie (1997). Hugh Grant: The Unauthorised Biography (New ed.). Virgin Books. p. 56. ISBN 9780753500699.
  15. ^ Elizabeth Hurley – Allmovie. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  16. ^ Marx, Andy. "Grant inks two-year deal at Castle Rock". Variety. 8 July 1994. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
  17. ^ Emily Farache (18 December 2000). "SAG Hurls $100G Fine at Hurley". E! Online. Retrieved 3 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "Hurley fined for strike-breaking ad". BBC News. 18 December 2000. Retrieved 24 August 2008. Actress Liz Hurley has been ordered to pay a £70,000 fine by a US acting union for filming an advert during a strike.
  19. ^ "Welcome to Reading Blue Coat". Reading Blue Coat School. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  20. ^ "Kelly Gets Fashion Nod" Archived 20 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Sky News. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (3 March 2011). "Elizabeth Hurley & Tracie Thoms Join NBC's 'Wonder Woman'". Deadline Hollywood. PMC. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  22. ^ Ausiello, Michael (5 July 2011). "Exclusive: Gossip Girl Targets Elizabeth Hurley". TVLine. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (4 September 2013). "Elizabeth Hurley To Topline E! Pilot 'The Royals'". Deadline Hollywood. PMC. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b Littleton, Cynthia (6 March 2014). "E! Orders Elizabeth Hurley's 'The Royals' as First Scripted Series". Variety. PMC. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (6 March 2014). "E! Orders Drama 'The Royals' As First Scripted Series". Deadline Hollywood. PMC. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  26. ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (10 December 2019). "Elizabeth Hurley says her Marvel's Runaways villain is her darkest role yet: 'What's not to love?'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  27. ^ Elizabeth Hurley – Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  28. ^ Williams, Lowri (8 April 2006). "Elizabeth Hurley Is The New Face Of Lancel". entertainment wise. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  29. ^ Hellmich, Nanci (8 March 2006). "Got milk — and got controversy". USA Today. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  30. ^ Wallop, Harry (13 March 2007). "Monsoon warning after warehouse adds woes". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  31. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley" Archived 4 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Vogue. Retrieved 17 June 2007.
  32. ^ Hurley. TESS Management. Archived 12 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ Elizabeth Hurley – hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  34. ^ "'Hugh and I speak every single day'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  35. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley for Mango" Archived 19 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. ItalianWorldFashion.com. Retrieved 14 June 2008.
  36. ^ Elizabeth Hurley Archived 10 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine – womencelebs.com. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  37. ^ Famous Faces Speak Out Archived 29 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine – lifetimetv.com. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  38. ^ Fashion Rocks – princeofwales.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  39. ^ HRH launches the Get into Cooking initiative from The Prince's Trust – princeofwales.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  40. ^ Celebrities who care Archived 6 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine – endhunger.com. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  41. ^ "Stars come out for Ark charity event". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  42. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley visits SKMCH&RC". shaukatkhanum.org.pk. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  43. ^ "Elton John AIDS Foundation patrons". Ejaf.com. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  44. ^ Cash, William. "City Veterans' Network honours Poppy Day". SpearsWM.
  45. ^ Powell, Emma (22 June 2016). "Elizabeth Hurley strips off to throw support behind Brexit". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b Maev Kennedy (19 September 2007). "People". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  47. ^ Farndale, Nigel. Movie Connections: Four Weddings and a Funeral. The Sunday Telegraph, page 39. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
  48. ^ "Liz Hurley expecting baby". BBC News. 8 November 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  49. ^ "Remember when Liz Hurley wore 'that' dress?". CNN. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  50. ^ "Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley announce split". The Associated Press. 23 May 2000. Retrieved 17 February 2007.
  51. ^ Ferla, Ruth. (4 October 2005). "Elizabeth Hurley: The Swimsuit Issue". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  52. ^ "Timeline: The Bing and Hurley affair". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  53. ^ Liz To Reveal All In Court – wenn.com 31 December 2001. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  54. ^ "Bing is Hurley baby's father". BBC News. 19 June 2002. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  55. ^ "Liz Hurley's son finally permitted to watch godfather Hugh Grant's movie". Yahoo news. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  56. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley" Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. thebiographychannel.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
  57. ^ Adams, Guy (3 March 2007). "Arun Nayar: Mr. Liz Hurley". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 17 August 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
  58. ^ "Elizabeth marries Arun for the second time in Indian ceremony". Hello. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  59. ^ "Inside Liz Hurley's Indian wedding palace". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
  60. ^ "Fight mars Hurley's India wedding". BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
  61. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley cooking up new recipes". The Daily Telegraph, 31 May 2008.
  62. ^ "Arun and I separated months ago: Elizabeth Hurley".
  63. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley Files for Divorce: Report". People.
  64. ^ Collett-White, Mike (15 June 2011). "British actress Elizabeth Hurley divorces". Reuters. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  65. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley engaged to cricket star Shane Warne". Reuters Canada. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  66. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne quietly decide to split". Hello. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  67. ^ David, Mark (18 October 2012). "Liz Hurley and Shane Warne Snatch Up Country Spread". Variety. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  68. ^ "Elizabeth Hurley's nephew stabbed in Wandsworth". BBC News. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  69. ^ Boucher, Geoff (6 June 2019). "Marvel's 'Runaways' Adds Elizabeth Hurley As Morgan LeFay". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

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