Uma Karuna Thurman, born on April 29, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, is an accomplished American actress and former model. Daughter of Robert Thurman, a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, and Nena von Schlebrügge, a high-fashion model, Thurman spent two years in Almora, Uttarakhand, India, receiving a Buddhist upbringing. She grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, and Woodstock, New York, with three brothers and a half-sister.
Thurman's journey into the entertainment industry began at the age of 15 when she entered the world of fashion modeling, eventually signing with Click Models. Her early modeling career included appearances in Glamour and on the covers of British Vogue in December 1985 and May 1986. She transitioned to acting with her film debut in the 1987 teen thriller "Kiss Daddy Goodnight" and gained attention in 1988 with roles in films like "Johnny Be Good" and "Dangerous Liaisons."
The 1990s marked Thurman's rise to international fame, with notable performances in "Henry & June" (1990), "Pulp Fiction" (1994), and "Gattaca" (1997). Her role as Mia Wallace in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" earned her acclaim and award nominations, solidifying her status as Tarantino's muse. Thurman continued her successful career with films like "Beautiful Girls" (1996), "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" (1996), and the critically panned "Batman & Robin" (1997).
Thurman's career showcased versatility, ranging from romantic dramedies to science fiction and action films. She played Fantine in "Les Misérables" (1998), and her performance in "Hysterical Blindness" (2002) won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Film. Thurman's filmography includes diverse roles in "Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2" (2003, 2004), "The Producers" (2005), "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" (2006), "Nymphomaniac" (2013), and "The House That Jack Built" (2018).
In addition to her film career, Thurman ventured into television, winning a Golden Globe for her role in the HBO film "Hysterical Blindness" and receiving an Emmy nomination for "Smash" (2012). She also appeared in series like "The Slap" (2015), "Imposters" (2017–2018), "Chambers" (2019), and "Super Pumped" (2022).
Thurman's personal life includes a brief marriage to Gary Oldman, and she has been recognized for her humanitarian efforts. Her Broadway debut occurred in "The Parisian Woman" (2017–2018). Throughout her career, Thurman's talent, intelligence, and poise have contributed to her enduring success in both film and television.