50 Facts About Vanessa Kirby

Early Life and Family

Vanessa Kirby's journey into the world of acting began with a rich and supportive family background. Let's dive into her early life and family.

1. Vanessa Kirby was born on April 18, 1988, in London, England, to Jane and Roger Kirby.
2. Her father, Roger Kirby, is a renowned prostate surgeon and the current president of the Royal Society of Medicine.
3. Her mother, Jane, was a former editor of Country Living magazine.
4. Kirby grew up in Wimbledon, an affluent suburb of southeast London, famous for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
5. She has two siblings: Joe, a school teacher, and Juliet, a theatrical agent.
6. The sisters are close and often live together, with Juliet being Kirby's business partner in their production company, Aluna Entertainment.
7. Kirby's friends and family call her "Nu," a nickname derived from her middle name, Nuala.
8. She prefers this informal name over her given name, Vanessa, which she finds too formal.

Early Interest in Acting

From a young age, Kirby showed a keen interest in acting, which eventually led her to the stage and screen.

9. Kirby developed an interest in acting at a young age, often watching movies with her father.
10. She made her professional acting debut on stage at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Manchester.
11. Her early roles included performances in All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
12. After attending Lady Eleanor Holles School, Kirby applied to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School but was rejected due to her age.
13. She then took a gap year to travel and work in an AIDS hospice in South Africa before studying English at the University of Exeter.
14. Kirby won the BIZA Rising Star Award at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards in 2009 for her role in All My Sons.

Breakthrough Roles

Kirby's career took off with several notable roles that showcased her talent and versatility.

15. Kirby's breakthrough role came in 2010 with her appearance in the BBC series The Hour, where she played Marnie Madden.
16. She gained international fame for her role as Princess Margaret in the Netflix series The Crown.
17. Her captivating performance as Princess Margaret garnered praise from audiences and critics worldwide.
18. She won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in The Crown.
19. Kirby joined the Mission: Impossible franchise as Alanna Mitsopolis, also known as the White Widow, in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018).
20. She appeared in the action film Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), further solidifying her status as an action movie star.
21. For her performance as a grief-stricken woman in Pieces of a Woman (2020), Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.
22. In 2023, Kirby portrayed Empress Joséphine in the historical drama Napoleon.

Personal Life and Interests

Beyond her acting career, Kirby has a rich personal life filled with various interests and philanthropic efforts.

23. From 2015 to 2019, Kirby was in a relationship with actor Callum Turner.
24. Since 2022, she has been in a relationship with Paul Rabil, an American former professional lacrosse player and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League.
25. Kirby is a philanthropist and advocate for mental health and gender equality.
26. She supports various causes and has been involved in several charitable initiatives throughout her career.
27. Kirby is multilingual and can speak German in addition to English and French.
28. She has a deep appreciation for art and enjoys visiting museums and galleries.
29. Kirby is a fan of yoga and regularly practices to maintain both physical and mental well-being.

Career Highlights

Kirby's career is marked by a series of impressive performances and collaborations with renowned directors.

30. Before landing her first TV or movie role, Kirby starred in a music video by British pop band McFly.
31. She appeared in the emotional promo for the group's 2007 single “The Heart Never Lies.”
32. Kirby was bullied in primary school, which made her self-conscious about everything she did.
33. She found solace in drama and local theater, which became her safe space.
34. Kirby suffered from giardia, an intestinal parasite, which often made her nauseated.
35. She met theater director David Thacker through her agent, which led to her theater debut.
36. Kirby has performed in several productions at the National Theatre, including Women Beware Women by Thomas Middleton and Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov.
37. She has appeared in a variety of screen roles, including Everest (2015), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and Bone in the Throat (2015).
38. Kirby played Zelda Fitzgerald in the TV series Genius (2016), which starred Colin Firth, Jude Law, and Nicole Kidman.
39. She starred in the sci-fi film Kill Command (2016), demonstrating her versatility in different genres.
40. Kirby appeared in the romantic drama film Me Before You (2016), directed by Thea Sharrock.

Recent and Upcoming Projects

Kirby's career continues to flourish with exciting new projects on the horizon.

41. In 2016, Kirby played Elena in Robert Icke's production of Uncle Vanya at the Almeida Theatre.
42. Since her breakthrough role in The Crown, Kirby's career has continued to grow.
43. She has been part of the Mission: Impossible series since 2018, playing the role of Alanna Mitsopolis.
44. Kirby appeared in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019).
45. For her performance in Pieces of a Woman, Kirby received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
46. In 2023, Kirby portrayed Empress Joséphine in the historical drama Napoleon.
47. Kirby co-founded her own production company, Aluna Entertainment, with her sister Juliet in 2021.
48. She will appear in Eden, a survival thriller directed by Ron Howard.
49. Kirby has confirmed her participation in Fantastic Four, where she will play the invisible woman.
50. She is set to return to television with a role in the new season of Feud, a series created by Ryan Murphy.

Vanessa Kirby: A Star on the Rise

Vanessa Kirby's journey from a young girl in Wimbledon to an internationally acclaimed actress is nothing short of inspiring. With standout roles in The Crown, Mission: Impossible, and Pieces of a Woman, she's proven her versatility and dedication to her craft. Her work in theater, film, and television showcases her range and talent. Beyond acting, Kirby's commitment to philanthropy and mental health advocacy highlights her as a compassionate individual. Her production company, Aluna Entertainment, aims to bring more nuanced female stories to the screen. With upcoming projects like Fantastic Four and Feud, Kirby's star continues to rise. Her grounded nature, combined with her passion for storytelling, ensures she'll remain a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for years to come. Vanessa Kirby is not just an actress; she's a force to be reckoned with.