Paltrow, Gwyneth Kate (1972– )

US actor. She first broke through to an international audience as the young Wendy in Steven Spielberg's Hook (1991). Known for her delicate beauty and grace, she has also made a significant contribution to UK cinema, most notably in the adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma (1996), as the star of the romantic comedy Sliding Doors (1998), and in Shakespeare in Love (1998; Academy Award for Best Actress). Other notable films include The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), Sylvia (2003), and Proof (2005), a reprise of her 2002 stage role in the play at the Donmar Warehouse, London, England.

Her other films include Seven (1995), Bounce (2000), Duets (2000, directed by her father Bruce Paltrow), Shallow Hal (2001), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Possession (2002), View from the Top (2003), and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004).

She was born in Los Angeles, California, and moved with her family to Massachusetts when she was 11. After graduating from the Spence School in New York, New York, she attended the University of California to study anthropology, but left to pursue her acting career. Her first film role was in Shout (1991).

She gained press attention as the girlfriend and fiancée of Brad Pitt, but broke off the engagement in 1997. In 2003 she married English singer Chris Martin from the band Coldplay.