Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Jane Hurley (born 10 June 1965) is an English actress and model.

Elizabeth Hurley
Hurley in 2017
Born
Elizabeth Jane Hurley

(1965-06-10) 10 June 1965
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
Alma materLondon Studio Centre
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1987–present
Spouse
Arun Nayar
​
​
(m. 2007; div. 2011)​
Partners
ChildrenDamian Hurley
Signature

As an actress, her best-known film roles have been as Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and as the Devil in Bedazzled (2000).[1] Hurley's television roles include the E! original series The Royals (2015–2018) and portraying Morgan le Fay in Runaways (2019), based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name.

Her first role in a big budget film was in Passenger 57 (1992). In 1994, Hurley accompanied Hugh Grant to the London premiere of his film Four Weddings and a Funeral,[2] in a plunging black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins, which gained her instant media attention.[3][4]

She has been associated with the cosmetics company Estée Lauder since the company gave Hurley her first modelling job at the age of 29.[5] They have featured her as a representative and model for their products, especially perfumes such as Sensuous, Intuition, and Pleasures, since 1995.[6] Hurley owns an eponymous beachwear line.[7]

Early life

Elizabeth[8] Hurley was born on 10 June 1965 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, as the younger daughter of Angela Mary (née Titt) and Roy Leonard Hurley.[9] Her father was Irish and a major in the Royal Army Educational Corps;[10][11] her mother was a teacher at Kempshott Junior School.[9] She has an older sister, Kate, and a younger brother, Michael Hurley.[12]

Hurley attended Harriet Costello School,[13] a mixed secondary in Basingstoke, and, while in her teens, she became involved with punk fashion, dyeing her hair pink and piercing her nose.[1] "When I was 16 – this was about 1981, 1982 – the thing to be in Basingstoke, the suburb I grew up in, was punk," she explained.[14] She also reportedly associated with New Age travellers in her youth.[15] Aspiring to be a dancer as a young girl, she enrolled in ballet classes. Hurley continued in the sixth form and took A-levels in English, Sociology and Psychology[16] in 1983 before spending three years studying dance and theatre at the London Studio Centre. She was expelled from the school in 1986 after going AWOL to a Greek island.[17]

Career

Film

Hurley made her first film appearance in Aria (1987).[9] She subsequently appeared in the movies Passenger 57, EDtv, Bedazzled, Serving Sara and Dangerous Ground. In 1997, she received her first and only acting award, the ShoWest Supporting Actress of the Year, for her performance in the spy spoof Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.[1] When Hugh Grant founded and became the director of Simian Films in 1994, Hurley was credited as one of the producers for the company's two Grant vehicles, Extreme Measures (1996) and Mickey Blue Eyes (1999).[18] In 2000, she was publicly criticised for breaking a five-month acting strike to film an Estée Lauder advertisement, for which she was fined $100,000 (£70,000 in 2000) by the Screen Actors Guild and labelled "Elizabeth Scably" by protesters.[19][20]

Television
Hurley at the launch of Estee Lauder's new fragrance, Sensuous, in July 2008

In 1988, Hurley appeared briefly in a speaking part as a schoolgirl in "Last Seen Wearing", an episode of the detective series Inspector Morse, which was partly filmed at a real school, Reading Blue Coat,[21] Sonning, Berkshire. This is believed to have been her first television role. In the same year she also played Rosie Japhet in an episode of Rumpole of the Bailey (Rumpole and the Barrow Boy). In late 1988, Hurley portrayed the title character in a four-part television drama, Christabel. After appearing in John Cleese's The Human Face (2001), she hosted the inaugural series of the British reality show Project Catwalk on Sky 1 in 2006. Hurley was criticised as a presenter by Marcelle D'Argy Smith, a former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, who said: "Liz Hurley has no fashion experience whatsoever. She wore a dress and has appeared at premieres." GQ's Dylan Jones defended her as someone "immersed in the fashion world as a celebrity." She was dropped after one series because her bosses reportedly believed she was too wooden.[22]

In 2011, Hurley filmed a guest star role in the series pilot of NBC's Wonder Woman as the villain Veronica Cale.[23] The network decided not to pick up the series. In July 2011, it was announced that Hurley would join the fifth season of Gossip Girl for a multi-episode arc. Her character, Diana Payne, was described by the series' executive producers as "a sexy, smart, self-made media mogul and all-around force to be reckoned with", whose "entrance on the Upper East Side will change the lives of all our characters—including, and especially, Gossip Girl herself."[24] In September 2013, she was cast in one of E!'s first two scripted pilots, The Royals,[25] which was picked up in March 2014 and aired in 2015.[26] The drama series, revolving around a fictional British Royal Family and set in modern London, stars Hurley as the matriarch Queen Helena.[26][27] Hurley played Marvel Comics villain Morgan le Fay in the final season of the Hulu show Runaways, released in 2019.[28] In January 2021, Hurley appeared as a guest judge in the first episode of the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Fashion
Hurley with fashion designer Valentino Garavani at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival

In 1995, with no prior modelling experience, Hurley was introduced as an Estée Lauder spokesmodel.[5][1] She later recounted, "I was far from an ingénue, having had my first modelling job at 29."[5] Hurley has since featured in ads for Lauder's 'Pleasures', 'Beautiful', 'Dazzling', 'Tuscany per Donna', and 'Sensuous' fragrances as well as participated in campaigns for the company's other cosmetics.[29] She was replaced as the face of Estée Lauder by Carolyn Murphy in 2001. However, she continues to work with the company non-exclusively, signing a contract for the 16th year with Lauder in 2010.[6] In 2005, she modelled for Saloni, Liverpool Department Stores of Mexico, and Lancel. She was part of the seasonal advertising campaigns for Jordache, Shiatzy Chen, Got Milk?, Patrick Cox, MQ Clothiers of Sweden, and Lancel in 2006[30][31] and Monsoon in 2007.[32] In 2008, Hurley was unveiled as the seasonal campaign face for Blackglama mink. Hurley has appeared three times on the cover of British Vogue.[33] She is signed to TESS Management in London.[34]

In April 2005, Elizabeth Hurley Beach, her beachwear line that she also models every summer, was launched at Harrods in the UK.[7] It debuted later that year in select Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the United States and other European countries.[35] She told Tatler magazine, "I was on Necker Island for a fashion shoot and even as Richard Branson was lying back in a hammock, he was on the phone, doing deals, managing his empire. But then I thought I am never going to have even a holiday home, let alone an island, unless I start a business that I can do without disrupting Damian's school days."[36] In May 2008, Hurley designed and modelled a capsule collection of 12 swimsuits for the Spanish clothes brand MANGO.[37]

Charity

Hurley has been active in Estée Lauder's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, as part of which the company created an "Elizabeth Pink" lipstick whose sales benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.[38] Hurley's grandmother died of breast cancer.[39]

Hurley supported The Prince's Trust by co-presenting the 2003 Fashion Rocks event in its aid[40] and helping launch the Get Into Cooking youth initiative in 2004.[41] She has also helped raise funds for End Hunger Network,[42] ARK children's charity,[43] and the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre.[44]

She is a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.[45] She is also patron of the City Veterans Network, a charity based in the City of London that links former members of the Armed Forces to opportunities for rehabilitation and employment.[46]

Politics

In June 2016, Hurley expressed her support for the United Kingdom leaving the European Union and urged the public to vote in the 2016 European Union membership referendum.[47]

Personal life
Hurley with her then-husband Arun Nayar at the Ampney Crucis Village Fete in 2008

Hurley was a relatively unknown actress when she met Hugh Grant in 1987 while working on a Spanish production called Remando Al Viento. In the 1990s, Hurley became known mostly as Grant's girlfriend.[48] In 1994, as Grant became the focus of international media attention due to the success of his film Four Weddings and a Funeral,[2] Hurley accompanied him to the film's London premiere in a plunging black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins, which gained her instant media attention.[3][4] While dating Hurley, Grant gained international notoriety for soliciting the services of a sex worker in 1995. Hurley stood by Grant and accompanied him to the premiere of his film Nine Months.[1] After thirteen years together, Hurley and Grant announced an "amicable" split in May 2000.[48][49][50]

On 4 April 2002, Hurley gave birth to a son, Damian Charles Hurley.[51] The baby's father, American businessman Steve Bing, denied paternity by claiming that he and Hurley had a brief, non-exclusive relationship in 2001. A DNA test, however, established Steve Bing as Damian's father.[52][53] Hugh Grant is Damian's godfather.[54] Hurley is godmother to Patsy Kensit's and Liam Gallagher's son Lennon and two of David and Victoria Beckham's sons Brooklyn and Romeo.[55]

In late 2002, Hurley began dating Indian textile heir Arun Nayar, who has run a small software company named Direction Software LLP since 1998.[56] They married in 2007. Hurley lived on a 400-acre (1.6 km2) organic farm in Barnsley, Gloucestershire, with her son and husband.[57] In December 2010, Hurley announced that she and her husband had separated several months earlier.[58] Hurley filed for divorce on 2 April 2011, citing Nayar's "unreasonable behaviour" as the cause,[59] grounds for divorce under English law. The divorce was granted on 15 June 2011.[60]

Hurley with then-fiancé Shane Warne in 2012

In late 2011, three months after her divorce, Hurley got engaged to Shane Warne, a former Australian cricketer.[61] In 2012, Hurley and Warne bought the Grade II–listed mansion Donnington Hall, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, as their main home.[62] In December 2013, Hello magazine reported that the couple had decided to split.[63] Warne died on 4 March 2022. Hurley paid tribute to her ex-fiancé by saying: "I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved lionheart".[64]

In March 2018, her nephew Miles Hurley was stabbed repeatedly in the back by a group of men in Wandsworth, south London. She described it as an "appalling" time for the family, stating: "The deepest wound just missed severing his spine. By some miracle no vital organs were damaged."[65]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Aria Marietta Segment "Die tote Stadt"
1988 Rowing with the Wind Claire Clairmont
1990 Kill Cruise Lou
1992 The Long Winter Emma Stapleton
Passenger 57 Sabrina Ritchie
1994 Beyond Bedlam Stephanie Lyell
1995 Mad Dogs and Englishmen Antonia Dyer
1997 Dangerous Ground Karen
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Vanessa Kensington
1998 Permanent Midnight Sandra Stahl
1999 My Favorite Martian Brace Channing
EDtv Jill
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Vanessa Kensington
2000 The Weight of Water Adaline Gunn
Bedazzled The Devil
2001 Double Whammy Dr. Ann Beamer
2002 Dawg Anna Lockheart
Serving Sara Sara Moore
2004 Method Rebecca Also executive producer
2010 Made in Romania herself
2014 Viktor Alexandra Ivanov
2018 Phoenix Wilder and the Great Elephant Adventure Aunt Sarah
2020 Then Came You Clare
2021 Father Christmas Is Back Joanna Christmas
2022 Christmas in Paradise Joanna Christmas
Christmas in the Caribbean Rachel

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Inspector Morse Julia Episode: "Last Seen Wearing"
Christabel Christabel Bielenberg Miniseries; 5 episodes
Rumpole of the Bailey Rosie Japhet Episode: "Rumpole and the Barrow Boy"
1989 Act of Will Christina Miniseries
1990 Frederick Forsyth Presents Julia Latham Episode: "Death Has a Bad Reputation"
1991 The Orchid House Natalie Miniseries; episode: "Natalie"
1992 The Good Guys Candida Ashton Episode: "Relative Values"
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Vicky Prentiss Episode: "Love's Sweet Song"
1994 Sharpe Lady Farthingdale Episode: "Sharpe's Enemy"
1995 The Shamrock Conspiracy Cecilia Harrison Television film
1996 Harrison: Cry of the City
Samson and Delilah Delilah
2001 The Human Face Various Documentary miniseries; 3 episodes
2011–2012 Gossip Girl Diana Payne Recurring role, 14 episodes
2011 Wonder Woman Veronica Cale Television film
2014 The Tomorrow People A.L.I.C.E. Voice; 2 episodes
2015–2018 The Royals Queen Helena Main role, 40 episodes
2019 Runaways Morgan le Fay 8 episodes[66]
2021 Welcome to Georgia Georgia TV film

Theatre
  • The Cherry Orchard – A Jubilee (Russian & Soviet Arts Festival)
  • The Man Most Likely To (Middle East tour)

References
  1. "Liz Hurley: Life in the spotlight". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  2. Farndale, Nigel. Movie Connections: Four Weddings and a Funeral. The Sunday Telegraph, page 39. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
  3. "Liz Hurley expecting baby". BBC News. 8 November 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. "Remember when Liz Hurley wore 'that' dress?". CNN. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  5. "Estée Lauder Lauds Elizabeth Hurley". Fashion Week Daily. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  6. Murphy sidelines Hurley at Lauder Archived 24 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine – CNN. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  7. "The naked ambition of Liz Hurley". timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  8. "Elizabeth Hurley Wiki - Age, Height, Movies, Husband, Net Worth, Biography & Photos - Stars Untold". 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  9. Elizabeth Hurley Archived 19 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine – thebiographychannel.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  10. The London Gazette, Supplement 44791, pg 1803, 14 February 1969
  11. "Calcutta : Nation". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 March 2007.
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