Detailed Biography

Diane Kruger is a German-American actress and former fashion model. She gained world-wide recognition by starring in blockbuster films such as Troy, National Treasure and Inglourious Basterds. She won the Cannes Film Festival Chopard Trophy in 2003.

Early life

Kruger was born Diane Heidkrüger in Algermissen, Germany, near Hildesheim. She is the daughter of bank employee Maria-Theresa and computer specialist Hans-Heinrich Heidkrüger. She was raised in Germany with her younger brother, Stefan. As a child, Kruger wanted to become a ballerina and successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet School in London. After an injury ended her ballet career prematurely, Kruger moved to Paris and turned her energies toward modeling.

In 1992, at the age of 16, Kruger was a finalist in Elite's "Look of the Year" competition. She returned to Germany and became a successful model in the mid-1990s in Germany and France. Kruger speaks German, French, and English.

Acting career

Kruger soon became interested in acting and took lessons at the Cours Florent. She landed some small appearances in several French films. She then shortened her surname to ease her film career.

She made her onscreen debut in 2002 opposite Dennis Hopper and Christopher Lambert in The Piano Player, a TV-movie by Jean-Pierre Roux. Her first major role was the same year when she starred in her then husband's directorial debut "Mon Idole". She played Julie Wood in 2003's Michel Valliant and Lisa in Wicker Park , alongside Josh Hartnett and Rose Byrne. One of her most notable roles to date is her portrayal of Helen in Wolfgang Petersen's epic Troy. She was ranked Number 50 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2005.

In 2004, Kruger starred with Nicolas Cage and Sean Bean in the popular film National Treasure, going on to appear in movies such as Joyeux Noël and Copying Beethoven . She reprised her role as Dr. Abigail Chase in National Treasure: Book of Secrets, released in December 2007.

Kruger was the hostess of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 60th Cannes Film Festival in 2007. She was also a member of the jury of the 59th Berlin International Film Festival in 2008.

In 2009 she co-starred as a German actress turned saboteur in Quentin Tarantino's hit WWII film Inglourious Basterds. Kruger stars in 2010 in the Liam Neeson film "Unknown White Male" alongside January Jones.

Kruger is a brand ambassador for watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Personal life

After having dated since 1999, she married French actor and director Guillaume Canet on 1 September 2001. They divorced in 2006, but acted alongside one another in Joyeux Noël.

She has been in a relationship with Joshua Jackson since 2006.