Natascha McElhone (pronounced MAC-el-hone) is quickly becoming what Overseas Filmgroup calls "a burgeoning international star" since getting her first film break. She was born on December 14, 1971, in Walton-on-Thames, London, England and raised in Brighton, East Sussex, England by journalist parents. She has one brother, Damon, who writes movie scripts and lives in Hollywood.

Her real name is Natasha Taylor. She is 5' 8" tall. Natascha took lessons in Irish dancing from the age of six to twelve. She attended St. Mary's Hall School for Girls in Brighton from 1982-1986. Her family now resides in Ramelton, a small town in Ireland.

Natascha currently resides in London with her husband, Dr. Martin Hirigoyen Kelly, a reconstructive plastic surgeon. Their little boy Theodore, who is nicknamed 'Bean', is 3 years old. They also have a newborn son Otis. Rounding out their family is a cat named Soup.

The English actress (whose mother is Irish) studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for three years, graduating in 1993, before beginning her career in the theatre. Her early stage credits include starring roles in London and Manchester productions of "Richard III" at Regent's Park, "The Count of Monte Cristo," "The Cherry Orchard" at the Leicester Haymarket and on national tour, and in "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Open Air Theatre.