Kate's first big break in the movie world was Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

She would appear in several other movies while also studying at Oxford University.

In 1999 Kate had a child with Welsh actor Michael Sheen whom she would later star opposite in the Underworld movies.

Mrs Beckinsale got the lead female role in Pearl Harbor after Charlize Theron pulled out of the production.

Kate is not a fan of underwear and hates wearing any. She also suffers from stomach ulcers.

Kate is married to film director Len Wiseman who directed her in Underworld.

Upcoming film projects include Everybody's fine with Robert DeNiro and Drew Barrymore and Underworld 4 which may be shot in 3D. Kate will reprise her role of Selena.

The future looks bright for this fine British actress who is building up quite a following.

You can read some delectable Kate Beckinsale quotes below.

If someone had told me years ago that sharing a sense of humour was so vital to partnerships, I could have avoided a lot of sex!

Apparently, I get facials and manicures all the time. I read this and think, 'Oh, I wish I did that!' I don't think I've had a facial since I was 19. When I shave my legs, I use my child's shampoo and a razor – if I can find one. If I did everything they said I did, I would never see Lily.

I dropped out of Oxford, and now I only speak Russian with the woman who gives me a bikini-wax. See what Hollywood does to you?

"It's the only time my education has come in remotely handy." -on using her Russian literature studies for copying her "Van Helsing" script into Russian to acquire a Slavic accent.

[Of her child Lily] "She already has some Americanisms, she says 'pants' instead of trousers and 'elevator' instead of lift. That's more than enough for me."

We had something recently when there were about 16 people in front of us taking pictures and Lily was enjoying the chance to legitimately shout at some grownups because normally she's not allowed. But even when she shouted they didn't stop. I find that shocking.

I didn't go looking to marry an American, it just kinda happened like that.

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