Diane Kruger, born Diane Heidkrüger on July 15, 1976, in Algermissen, Germany, has established herself as a prominent figure in international cinema.
Instead of presenting Diane as the talented actress that she is, I could just as well be talking about her graceful ballet career – if it wasn’t for an injury that put an end to her dream of becoming a ballerina, that is. All things happen for a reason is a great argument, but let’s not get all philosophical here. This is about beauty, and Diane Krueger excels in this topic. In this respect, her early top fashion model career speaks for itself.
That was her past – as I prefer including her acting in the present, even though I haven’t seen her on the big screen in a while. And that’s a shame. She made her latest appearance in Special Forces (2011), but her last notable role was as Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece Inglourious Basterds. And while we’re still here, Mr. Tarantino will surely love the photo gallery below, as we’re all his fans and we’re aware of his foot fetish, aren’t we? Enjoy!
Kruger was raised in a Catholic household and attended Catholic school. She harbored dreams of becoming a ballerina and successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet School in London. However, a knee injury curtailed her ballet career, prompting her return to Germany. This setback led her to explore other avenues in the arts.
Transition to Modeling and Acting
Upon returning to Germany, Kruger embarked on a modeling career, working with renowned fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Christian Dior. Her modeling success graced her on the covers of major magazines like Vogue Paris and Cosmopolitan. Despite her achievements in modeling, Kruger aspired to act. Encouraged by filmmaker Luc Besson, she moved to Paris to study acting at the Cours Florent. Her dedication paid off when she won the school’s “Classe Libre” award for best student.
Breakthrough in Film
Kruger’s acting career began with roles in French films such as “The Piano Player” (2002) and “Mon Idole” (2002). Her portrayal of Helen in Wolfgang Petersen’s “Troy” (2004) garnered international attention, showcasing her ability to embody complex characters. She continued to build her filmography with roles in “National Treasure” (2004) and its sequel, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (2007), as Dr. Abigail Chase. Her performance as German actress and spy Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) further solidified her status in Hollywood.
Acclaim and Recent Work
In 2017, Kruger made her German-language debut in Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade,” delivering a powerful performance that earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. This role marked a significant point in her career, highlighting her range and depth as an actress. She has since appeared in films like “The Operative” (2019) and “Marlowe” (2022), continuing to showcase her versatility across genres and languages.
Personal Life
Kruger was married to French actor Guillaume Canet from 2001 to 2006. She later dated Canadian actor Joshua Jackson from 2006 to 2016. In 2016, she began a relationship with actor Norman Reedus, with whom she has a daughter, Nova Tennessee, born in November 2018. Kruger has expressed that motherhood has profoundly changed her perspective, influencing her career choices and priorities.
