Famke Beumer Janssen is a Dutch actress, director, screenwriter, and former fashion model. She played Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye, Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men film series, Ava Moore on Nip/Tuck, and Lenore Mills in Taken and its sequel, Taken 2. In 2008, she was appointed ...
Model, Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Film Producer
Education
Columbia University, University of Amsterdam
Nationality
Netherlands
Spouse
Tod Williams (m. 1995–2000)
Siblings
Marjolein Beumer, Antoinette Beumer
Nicknames
Famke Beumer Janssen
Nominations
MTV Movie Award for Best Fight, Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Liplock
Movies
GoldenEye, The Wolverine, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Taken 2, Taken, Taken 3, X-Men: The Last Stand, X2, The Faculty, Deep Rising, I Spy, X-Men, House on Haunted Hill, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Don't Say a Word, Rounders, Turn the River, Hide and Seek, Lord of Illusions, The Wackness, 100 Fee...
TV Shows
Hemlock Grove, Winters
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Trademark
1
Statuesque, model-like figure
2
Natural brunette hair
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Quote
1
[on character's past and future versions in the "X-Men" films] I'm actually really excited about it. And its not the first time obviously that it's happened. In the 'X-Men' series, they've been doing this for years. Although women, it's interesting because they're replaced, and the older versions - or more mature, whatever the politically correct version of that is - are never to be seen again. Whereas the men are allowed to be both ages. Sexism. I think that I should be back along with my younger version and the way that we've seen it with Magneto and Professor X.
2
As long as corruption exists, human trafficking will likely flourish. I'd like to give something back on an issue that matters to me.
3
I'm a firm believer in taking risks in life, because you'll never get anywhere unless you do, and the more risk involved the greater the outcome - or the worse, but you never know so you've got to go for it.
4
Looking back, boy, has there ever been a stigma in being a Bond Girl. That's what my mission in life is, just to prove them wrong. That's why I have such an urge to keep going and proving that. It's so silly. What on earth does the way you look have anything to do with whether you can act or not.
5
[on her character's change in X2 (2003) (aka X-Men United)] I love darkness. I am attracted to the dark side of life! I thought it was really interesting that Jean Grey went through some changes in this film.
6
I think acting is just like that. There is something childish and fun about it.
7
I don't even like talking about dating. It's like having a stamp on your forehead: 'I'm available and I'm looking'.
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I don't want to be exploited. That of course, as an actress, is a real challenge, not to be exploited. So I'm just going to keep looking for as many different types of roles as I can find in different genre movies. That's my goal, my aim. I like doing that. I've had a pretty varied career so far.
9
We've always been ready for female superheroes. Because women want to be them and men want to do them.
10
I would rather not work than play in a movie that nobody watches.
11
I felt different born into a family with two sisters who are blonde and blue-eyed, with me being the only brunette. [interview with People Weekly magazine, July 31, 2000. Volume 54, Number 5]
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Fact
1
Was inspired to become an activist against corruption after playing Lenore in Taken (2008). She now serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime.
Her sister was visiting Southeast Asia during the Tsunami on December 26, 2004, and had to flee the water to save her life.
14
Ranked #69 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" [2002].
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Has a Boston Terrier named Licorice.
16
While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) to promote her role of the sex-crazed assassin in the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995), Famke gave Conan a first hand experience of her character's signature moves by performing them on him using the top of his desk. When she asked him if he would like the demonstration, Conan responded with "This is what we in the industry call a 'no-brainer'."
17
Provides the Dutch-language narration for the Studio Tram Tour at Disney parks.
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Wears size 11 shoes. Because of their large size, her shoes had to be especially made for her for the film GoldenEye (1995). In Love & Sex (2000), Jon Favreau's character jokes about how big her character's feet were.
$15 Million
