Uma Karuna Thurman was born April 29, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her eccentric, multi-cultural upbringing -- her mother Nena is a former psychotherapist while her father Robert A.F. Thurman is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, and a University of Columbia professor -- could explain the unique names of the Thurman siblings, Dechen, Ganden and Mipam.

As is practically tradition in today's beautiful actresses, but Uma (who was named after a Hindu deity and means "bestower of blessings") did not fit in as a schoolgirl. As if her name wasn't different enough, she was lanky and awkward as a child. Her nose, which today only adds a unique touch to her beautiful face, was part of her misery. Rather than the typically all-American extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading, Uma had better things to do: act.

After receiving a standing ovation while involved in an elementary school theatre production, Uma caught the acting bug and knew this was what she wanted to do with her life. So she packed up and like most aspiring models and actors, she headed for New York, not even sticking around long enough to become a high school graduate.

While in New York, Uma was forced to work odd jobs in order to pay the bills, such as being a dish washer and a model, a more glamorous day job. It didn't take long for Uma to trade in her dishwashing gloves for scripts, as she finally landed her first feature film role. As a vampire, Uma was on the verge of beginning her career, and what has been referred to as a string of sexual film roles.

After her role as a vampire in 1987's Kiss Daddy Goodnight, which was nothing to write Boston about, Uma was cast in Johnny Be Good and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, which raised eyebrows and garnered her critical praise. But it was after her role in 1988's Dangerous Liaisons that her image became even more erotic. Choosing to become more than just a passing fad, Uma left for England.

But many offers for movie roles were waiting for her back in America, and she eventually returned. Her role in 1990s Henry & June showcased Uma with sexuality streaming out of her pores; it didn't help that she portrayed a bisexual in the film.

Although she starred in films such as Final Analysis, Jennifer 8, Mad, Dog and Glory, and Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, it was her role as the offbeat, cocaine-junkie Mia Wallace that garnered Uma an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting actress. With a departure from alternative, more dramatic films, to the commercial comedies Beautiful Girls and The Truth Behind Cats and Dogs, Uma proved that she can also provide some laughs.

Next up for the beautiful actress were roles in the sci-fi Gattaca; Batman & Robin as Poison Ivy; the film adaptation of Les Miserables; and her starring role as Emma Peele in the adaptation of The Avengers, which tanked at the box-office.

Uma went on a brief hiatus to marry Gattaca co-star Ethan Hawkeand welcome their baby Maya Ray to the world. Uma was previously married to actor Gary Oldman from 1990 to 1991, and her dating record includes Timothy Hutton and Robert De Niro.

After a role in Woody Allen's Sweet and Lowdown, Uma returned to her former modeling days as a spokesperson for Lanc?me. One of Empire Magazine's 100 Sexiest Stars in film history, Uma was last seen in the film Vatel. Watch out for her in the soon-to-be-released, The Golden Bowl.

Thurman may had done action before in such efforts as Batman & Robin and The Avengers, but her role as the vengeful Bride in Quentin Tarantino's eagerly anticipated Kill Bill nevertheless found viewers' jaws planted firmly on the popcorn-littered multiplex floors. Kill Bill Vol. 1 (the film was split into two halves after being deemed too long by studio Miramax) still managed to split audiences due to its virtually nonstop, extremely graphic violence Kill Bill Vol. 2.