January Jones Biography
Best known for her role as Alyson Hannigan’s sister in “American Wedding†(2003), the third installment in the “American Pie†comedy film series, pouty-lipped head-turner January Jones became almost as famous for her choice of notable beaus, as for her choice in movie roles.
The 5’ 7†beauty was born, fittingly, on Jan. 5, 1978 in Sioux Falls, SD. However, her parents came up with the name after reading a Jacqueline Susann book called Once is Not Enough, featuring a character named January Wayne. While attending Roosevelt High School, Jones spent her pre-modeling, pre-Hollywood time toiling away at a local Dairy Queen.
At age 18, she moved to New York City and made her first mark as a stunning model for hip suburban clothier Abercrombie & Fitch. After making the requisite move to Los Angeles, Jones made her acting debut with a small role in the independent film “All the Rage†(1999), starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin. Jones followed this with a guest appearance in the Fox TV pilot, “Get Real†(1999). Two years later, she had her biggest break to date when she landed a role in her first major motion picture, the teen-oriented thriller “Glass House†(2001), starring Leelee Sobieski.
Like all young and beautiful starlets on the cusp of fame, Jones quickly became a fixture on the young Hollywood scene. Her blonde beauty attracted a variety of male admirers, including a relatively unknown pre-Demi stud named Ashton Kutcher. The couple, who reportedly met in 1998 at an Abercrombie & Fitch shoot, dated for three years – until Kutcher became enchanted with the older actress Demi Moore. Jones moved on to funnyman extraordinaire Jim Carey and “American Wedding†co-star Sean William Scott before meeting and falling for pop-classical singer and favorite “Oprah†guest, Josh Groban in 2003.
Jones continued to hone her acting chops, landing roles in a variety of high-profile projects: as a bank robber in the Bruce Willis-Billy Bob Thorton crime comedy “Bandits†(2001); as a memorable lesbian sexpot with temperament issues in the Adam Sandler-Jack Nicholson hit comedy, “Anger Management†(2003); and as an British tourist in the hit romantic comedy, “Love Actually” (2003). At the same time, Jones was featured as #82 in Maxim magazine’s “Hot 100 of 2002″ supplement. Next up was the star-making role of Cadence Flaherty, the beautiful sister and maid of honor to the not-so-blushing bride, Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) as well as the love interest of the obnoxious hound, Stiffler (Sean William Scott) in “American Wedding†(2003). While the film tanked, Jones had received her first major coverage for a role that she had won from literally thousands of on-the-brink ingenues.
Looking for further challenges, Jones learned to 50’s swing dance for her role in “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights†(2004), the critically maligned sequel to the 1987 dance classic. She journeyed back to the small screen, appearing in the recurring role of Marissa Wells on the Showtime comedy series, “Huff” in 2004. The actress continued to expand her range as a dramatic actress by portraying Barry Pepper’s repressed wife in Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial debut, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada†(2005). The prestigious film – a first for Jones – won Best Screenplay and Best Actor awards at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.
- Born:
on 01/05/1978 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Job Titles:
Actor, Model
Significant Others
- Companion: Ashton Kutcher. dated from 1998-2001; no longer together
- Companion: Josh Groban. dating as of Fall 2003
Milestones
- 2001 Made her feature debut in the suspense drama “The Glass House”
- 2002 Had a part in Steven Soderbergh’s comedy “Full Frontal”
- 2003 Played Gina in the hilarious Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler comedy “Anger Management”
- 2003 Played the sister to the not-so-blushing bride in “American Wedding”
- 2004 Appeared in “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” co-starring Diego Luna
- 2005 Played the bored wife of a border patrolman (Barry Pepper) in Tommy Lee Jones’ “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”
Uma Thurman Says Cheers To Change
Uma Thurman Says Cheers To Change
It seems golden globe winner Uma Thurman is all about change.
Uma recently signed on to play a lead role in HBO’s upcoming film, “The Zinc Bed,” which is an adaptation of acclaimed playwright David Hare’s drama that debuted in London in 2000. The movie is likely to premiere in 2008 and is being directed by Anthony Page.
HBO films president Colin Callender boasts of the film, “This is further proof that great writing attracts great talent.” The HBO feature has also drawn in the likes of Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz and Cinderella Man) and Jonathon Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Evita).
This will be Uma’s second date with HBO films, after she starred in “Hysterical Blindness” and brought home a golden globe award for her performance.
Along with her career thrusting forward around new corners, so is Uma’s love life.
Uma has wrangled herself a new stud, David Wike , who is a Hollywood hybrid of sorts. The man acts, produces, and directs on the Hollywood scene.
Wike follows up Uma’s last romance with Andre Balazs which ended in March.
The new couple was spotted in London together last weekend and a source told People magazine, “They are very, very, very happy.”
Yet, as with all Hollywood power-play romances, don’t bet on this being Uma’s last, as her rep had no comment on the situation. And don’t forget, in January of 2007, Uma said, “I’m not getting married. For any human, a partner that you trust is invaluable and the partners that I trust most are my children…”
Which means Wike better step it up a notch or he and Balazs will being sharing drinks at the premiere of “The Zinc Bed.”
Hilary Duff Keeps It Real
Hilary Duff Keeps It Real
The Hollywood scene has a tendency of chewing up nice girls and spitting out psycho divas. But Hilary Duff isn’t playing that game. She’s maintained her sanity, sobriety and a healthy perspective on life.
Duff keeps a level head and it has made all the difference. “I’m not going to stop doing what I love because I’m afraid of breaking down. But I’ve seen how easily it happens. My sister, Haylie, and I used to live in this apartment complex with lots of young Hollywood stars. I watched lots of famous people earning too much and getting into trouble. I saw people lose everything. Thankfully, I haven’t fallen into that trap.”
And while she’s spent most of her life in front of the camera, she insists that it’s only made her a stronger person. “I sometimes wish I wasn’t always watched or didn’t have to worry about being seen somewhere. But I’ve experienced things other girls haven’t. I’ve travelled, I’m financially independent, I own a beautiful home and I’m happy with my job. I don’t have to struggle with the questions a lot of other women do.”
With her sister and close childhood friends surrounding her, Duff continues to take the moral high road in spite of her Hollywood peers’ indescretions.
Tara Reid: In Shape & Loving Life
Tara Reid: In Shape & Loving Life
There may be hope for Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears after all. Tara Reid, who was at one point following the exact same path as the two starlets are now, seems to be back and better than ever.
Tara recently sat down with OK! Magazine and spoke candidly about her changed ways. After ditching the Hollywood scene and friends for a healthier lifestyle, she explained: “I was on Hollywood near all the clubs but it was too much and wore me down. I’d had enough of that in my life - I’ve been there and done that and it was no good for me.” The ‘American Pie’ actress now resides in a peaceful beach house close to her family.
“My lifestyle has improved which has changed everything. I’ve bought a beach house right on the ocean so every morning I ride my bike and go jogging. My parents live two houses down from me and my brother lives two miles away so I eat dinner with them - I love it.”
This new lifestyle definitely has gotten Reid back into the shape that made her famous.
Tara was spotted at the exclusive Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara this past weekend, strutting her stuff in a revealing red bikini. Reid, who revealed late last year that she had corrective surgery to repair a “botched” boob job and liposuction initially performed a couple of years ago, looks as good as new… if not better than ever. This just goes to show what some good judgment and a little hard work can do.
With this in mind, many are wondering whether it is time for Reid to become a role model for other young Hollywood celebrities, including Lohan and Spears? In our opinion… you can’t argue with these results, but lets just make sure that all of this attention doesn’t sweep her right back into the troubles of her past.