Award-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones has seen her career soar over the decades, and her outlook on life has evolved right along with it. “Something about getting older was that I don’t take a lot of sh** from people,” she told InStyle in 2022. With a resume packed with critically acclaimed roles, Zeta-Jones has built an impressive legacy while balancing motherhood and marriage to Michael Douglas.
#1. Catherine Zeta-Jones’ ‘Fearless’ Attitude Led to a Tap Dance Career
Born in Swansea, Wales, Catherine Zeta-Jones didn’t come from a showbiz family. Her mother was a seamstress, and her father owned a sweets factory. Reflecting on her upbringing, Zeta-Jones noted that she was bold and outgoing as a kid. “I was very excitable and kind of, I don’t know, performy, as a child,” she said. Her mother encouraged her “performy” side, buying her tap shoes at age four. Zeta-Jones’ dance career took off, winning a national tap dance competition at 11.
#2. She Garnered Buzz After Starring in a West End Production
Catherine Zeta-Jones’ early experience in tap dancing launched her acting career. At 17, she starred in West End’s production of “42nd Street,” playing Peggy Sawyer for two years. “It was one of those moments that was just life-changing,” she told “The View.”
#3. She Headed to America to Continue to Build Her Career
Following her performance in “42nd Street,” Catherine Zeta-Jones dove headfirst into her silver screen career. She hit the ground running in 1991 with roles in “1001 Nights” and “The Darling Buds of May.” Frustrated by the UK media’s focus on her personal life, she moved to America to pursue acting.
#4. The Mask of Zorro Changed Her Life in More Ways Than One
After playing Sala in “The Phantom,” Catherine Zeta-Jones caught Steven Spielberg’s eye, leading to her role in “The Mask of Zorro.” Her portrayal of Elena boosted her career and led to her romance with Michael Douglas. “That film did not just change my career, it changed my life entirely,” she stated.
#5. She Married Michael Douglas in 2000
After meeting at the Deauville Film Festival, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones started dating. They married in 2000 and have been together ever since. “I lucked out big time,” Zeta-Jones gushed about her husband.
#6. She Signed a Huge Contract with T-Mobile in 2002
After “The Mask of Zorro,” Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in hits like “Entrapment” and “Traffic.” In 2002, she signed a $10 million deal with T-Mobile, becoming one of the top-earning actors through sponsorship deals at the time.
#7. She Won Her First Oscar in 2003
Catherine Zeta-Jones struck gold with her role as Velma Kelly in “Chicago,” winning her first Oscar in 2003. She fought for Velma’s bob hairstyle, stating, “For me, when I saw Velma Kelly, I saw that blunt, Louise Brooks look.”
#8. Catherine Zeta-Jones Became a Mother of Two
After meeting Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones wasted no time building a family. She gave birth to Dylan Douglas in 2000 and Carys Zeta Douglas in 2003. Despite initial fears, Zeta-Jones embraced motherhood.
#9. Catherine Zeta-Jones Was Transparent About Her Struggles with Mental Health in 2011
In 2011, Catherine Zeta-Jones opened up about her struggle with bipolar II, seeking treatment in a mental health facility. “This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them,” she stated. She went into treatment a second time in 2013.
#10. She Became Picky About the Projects She Chose to Take Part In
After her bipolar diagnosis, Catherine Zeta-Jones became picky about her acting gigs, prioritizing her family. “My daughter is 10, my son is 12, and these are such precious years to me,” she stated. She only took on roles that were worth leaving her family for.
#11. Catherine Zeta-Jones Launched Her Own Brand
In 2020, Catherine Zeta-Jones unveiled lifestyle and beauty lines through her brand, Casa Zeta-Jones. The brand includes everything from makeup products to activewear. She collaborated with Butterfly Twists on a shoe line, which was put on hold due to the pandemic.
#12. Catherine Zeta-Jones Scored a Role That’s ‘Very Cool’ to Her Kids
In 2022, Catherine Zeta-Jones played Morticia Addams in Netflix’s “Wednesday” and starred in the Disney+ series “National Treasure: Edge of History.” Her kids found her role in “National Treasure” very cool. “I became very cool when I told them I was doing a TV series for ‘National Treasure,'” she said.
