Famke Janssen, known for her iconic roles in GoldenEye, X-Men, and Nip/Tuck, has openly shared her discomfort with media attention. These days, she rarely engages with the press.
“I basically shun the press,” Janssen told The Independent in a candid interview about her relationship with fame. “I’m sure you Googled me to try and find some things, but I am super private and realized a long time ago that I don’t really like people knowing anything about me.”
#1. Thrown Into the Limelight After GoldenEye: Navigating Fame
Janssen’s rise to fame came after starring as Xenia Onatopp in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye alongside Pierce Brosnan. Reflecting on the intense attention that followed, she explained how the film changed her relationship with the media.
The Bond movie dictated a lot of my relationship with the press,” she shared. “Honestly, after GoldenEye, I felt like I was thrown to the wolves.”
#2. The Press Always Wins: Janssen’s Struggle with Media Attention
The actress described the media frenzy as an “onslaught of attention, good and bad,” revealing how hard it was to navigate the new level of scrutiny. “Every actor thinks they can control the press, but ultimately, the press always wins,” she said. “I decided I’d rather be less famous and do things on my terms. That means I don’t make as much money as others. I don’t date famous people. I’m not on social media… But fame comes at a price, and it wasn’t one I was willing to pay.”
#3. Overcoming Stereotypes: From Model to Serious Actress
Janssen, who started her career as a model, faced skepticism in Hollywood due to her “model-turned-actress” label. Adding to the challenge was her role as a Bond Girl, which made it difficult for others to take her seriously. She recalled working with Harvey Keitel on the 1997 film City of Industry, where he doubted her abilities.
“Harvey Keitel was all, ‘Can you even do your own laundry?’ — that kind of thing,” Janssen recalled, brushing off the comment with confidence.
#4. Choosing a Different Path: Focusing on Longevity and Substance
Despite these challenges, Janssen was determined to carve out a career on her own terms. She consciously avoided the typical Hollywood fame route, focusing on longevity and substance in her work rather than fleeting popularity.
“I had to create longevity for myself and work on my craft,” she said. “I would have been much more famous and made a lot more money if I’d just gone with whatever was given to me in those moments. But that’s never been the way I do things.”
