Gwyneth Kate Paltrow (; born September 27, 1972) is an
American actress, singer, and
food writer. She gained early notice for her work in films such as the thriller
Seven (1995), opposite
Brad Pitt and the period drama
Emma (1996), opposite
Jeremy Northam. Following starring roles in the romantic comedy-drama
Sliding Doors (1998) and the thriller
A Perfect Murder (1998), Paltrow garnered worldwide recognition through her performance in
Shakespeare in Love (1998), for which she won an
Academy Award for Best Actress, a
Golden Globe Award and two
Screen Actors Guild Awards, for
Outstanding Lead Actress and as a member of the
Outstanding Cast. Paltrow has portrayed supporting, as well as lead roles, in films such as
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999),
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),
Shallow Hal (2001), and
Proof (2005), for which she earned a
Golden Globe nomination as
Best Actress in Motion Picture – Drama.