Famke Janssen Explained

Famke Janssen
Birth Name:Famke Beumer Janssen
Birth Date:5 November 1964[1]
Birth Place:Amstelveen, Netherlands
Alma Mater:Columbia University
Years Active:
  • 1984–1992 (model)
  • 1992–present (actress)
Relatives:Antoinette Beumer (sister)
Marjolein Beumer (sister)

Famke Beumer Janssen (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈfɑmkə ˈbøːmər ˈjɑnsə(n)/; born 5 November 1964[2] [3]) is a Dutch actress and former model. She played Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye (1995), Jean Grey / Phoenix in the X-Men film series (2000–2014), and Lenore Mills in the Taken film trilogy (2008–2014). In 2008, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for Integrity by the United Nations. She made her directorial debut with Bringing Up Bobby in 2011. She is also known for her roles in the Netflix original series Hemlock Grove (2013–2015), FX's Nip/Tuck (2003–2010), and ABC's How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020). Janssen starred in the 2017 NBC crime thriller .

Early life

Famke Beumer Janssen[4] was born 1964[5] [6] in Amstelveen, the Netherlands.[7] [8] She has two sisters, director Antoinette Beumer and actress Marjolein Beumer, both of whom changed their surnames to Beumer after their parents divorced.[9]

In addition to her native Dutch, Janssen speaks English and French. She learned German, but has not kept up with it.[10] Following her high school graduation, Janssen studied economics for a year at the University of Amsterdam, which she later called "the stupidest idea I ever had."[9] In the early 1990s, she enrolled at Columbia University's School of General Studies to study creative writing and literature.[11] [12]

Career

1980s - 1990s

In 1984, Janssen moved to the United States to begin her professional career as a fashion model. She signed with Elite Model Management and worked for Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, and Victoria's Secret. She starred in a 1988 commercial for the perfume Exclamation by Coty.[13] Her looks have been compared to 1940s movie stars like Hedy Lamarr.[7]

After retiring from modelling in the early 1990s, Janssen had guest roles on several television series, including a starring role in the 1992 episode "The Perfect Mate", as empathic metamorph Kamala, opposite Patrick Stewart, with whom she later starred in the X-Men film series.[7] That same year, Janssen was offered the role of Jadzia Dax in ,[14] but turned it down to pursue film roles. Her first film role was alongside Jeff Goldblum in the 1992 crime drama film Fathers & Sons.

In 1995, Janssen appeared in Pierce Brosnan's debut James Bond film, GoldenEye, as femme fatale Xenia Onatopp. She appeared in Lord of Illusions with Scott Bakula. In an attempt to fight against typecasting after her Bond girl performance, Janssen began seeking out more intriguing support roles, appearing in John Irvin's City of Industry, Woody Allen's Celebrity, Robert Altman's The Gingerbread Man, and Ted Demme's Monument Ave.[15] Denis Leary, her co-star in Monument Ave., was impressed by how easily she blended in, initially not recognizing her, as she was already in character.[7] In the late 1990s, she appeared in The Faculty, Rounders, Deep Rising, and House on Haunted Hill.

X-Men films

In 2000, Janssen played superhero Dr. Jean Grey in the 20th Century Fox film X-Men. She later reprised the role in the 2003 sequel, X2, where her character shows signs of increasing powers, but at the end of the film, she is presumably killed. Janssen returns as Jean, whose death in X2 awoke her dark alternate personality, Phoenix, in (2006). For that role, she won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.[16] She returned as Jean in the 2013 film The Wolverine as a hallucination of Wolverine,[17] followed by a brief cameo for X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).[18] [19]

2002–present

In 2002, Janssen landed the role of villainess Serleena in Men in Black II, but had to abandon the film due to a death in her family and was replaced by Lara Flynn Boyle.[20] Janssen had a prominent role in the second season of the TV series Nip/Tuck, as the seductive and manipulative life coach Ava Moore, which earned her Hollywood Life's Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award.[21] She reprised her role in the final two episodes of the series.

In 2007, she starred in Turn the River, for which she was awarded the Special Recognition Best Actress Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival.[22] The following year, she starred in Luc Besson's Taken. Janssen continued to work in television, appearing in TV pilots for NBC's police drama Winters and Showtime's The Farm, a spinoff of The L Word set in a women's prison. Both pilots were rejected by their networks. Janssen provided the Dutch language narration for the Studio Tram Tour at all Disney theme parks.[15]

In 2011, Janssen made her directorial debut with the drama Bringing Up Bobby. She wrote the screenplay to the film, which stars Milla Jovovich, Bill Pullman, and Marcia Cross.[23] She reprised her role as Lenore Mills in Taken 2 (2012) and Taken 3 (2014). She starred as the main villain Muriel in (2013).Janssen starred in the Netflix original horror thriller television series Hemlock Grove, wherein she plays the role of family matriarch Olivia Godfrey.[24] Janssen had a recurring role in the ABC crime thriller television series How To Get Away With Murder, appearing in 10 episodes throughout the series, beginning her role in season two of the show and concluding it in the series finale.

Janssen was cast in a starring role in the NBC crime thriller, , a spin-off of the NBC series The Blacklist, in March 2016;[25] it was picked up to series in May 2016.[26] The following month, Janssen expressed frustration in not being cast in , saying Hollywood was sexist toward older women. She said, "Women, it's interesting because they're replaced, and the older versions are never to be seen again... whereas the men are allowed to be both ages."[27]

In 2019, she served as a juror for the Tribeca Film Festival.[28] Also in 2019, Janssen joined Jeffrey Dean Morgan in The Postcard Killings, which was released in 2020.[29] In 2021, Janssen starred in the Christian romantic drama film Redeeming Love[30] and the action-thriller Dangerous.[31]

In a March 2021 interview, she revealed to Forbes some details about her involvement with the live action adaptation of Saint Seiya, a popular anime and manga. Janssen declared that filming was supposed to take place in Europe the previous year, but production had been postponed twice due to the Coronavirus pandemic. She also hinted that she will play one of the main characters, but did not specify their name.[32]

Activism

Janssen appeared with her dog, Licorice, a brindle Boston Terrier, in a 2007 PETA campaign to raise awareness for animal rights. The campaign used the slogan "Be an Angel for Animals."[33] On 28 January 2008, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for Integrity for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at a United Nations anticorruption conference held in Nusa Dua, Bali.[34]

Personal life

In 1995, Janssen married writer and director Kip Williams, son of architect Tod Williams. They divorced in 2000.[8] She has stated that she does not want to have children.[35]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRefs.
1992Fathers & SonsKyle Christian
1994Dr. Sara Lee JaffeeDirect-to-video film
1994Model by DayLex / Lady XTelevision film
1995Lord of IllusionsDorothea Swann
1995GoldenEyeXenia Onatopp
1996Dead GirlTreasure
1997City of IndustryRachel Montana
1998Monument Ave.Katy O'Connor
1998Leeanne Magruder
1998Deep RisingTrillian St. James
1998RPMClaudia Haggs
1998RoundersPetra
1998CelebrityBonnie
1998Fiona
1998Miss Elizabeth Burke
1999House on Haunted HillEvelyn Stockard-Price
2000Love & SexKate Welles
2000CircusLily Garfield
2000X-MenJean Grey / Phoenix
2001MadeJessica
2001Don't Say a WordAgatha "Aggie" Conrad
2002I SpyRachel Wright
2003X2Jean Grey / Phoenix
2004EulogyJudy Arnolds
2005Hide and SeekDr. Katherine Carson
2006Jean Grey / Phoenix
2006Allegra Marshall
2007Gretchen Reigert
2007Turn the RiverKailey Sullivan
2007WintersChristie WintersTelevision film
2008Kristen Squires
2008TakenLenore "Lenny" Mills
2008100 FeetMarnie WatsonDirect-to-video film
2009The FarmValentina GalindoTelevision film
2010The ChameleonJennifer JohnsonDirect-to-video film
2011Down the ShoreMary Reed
2012Taken 2Lenore "Lenny" Mills
2013Muriel
2013The WolverineJean Grey
2013The Being ExperienceOriginally titled In the Woods
2014A Fighting ManDiane Schuler Direct-to-video film
2014UnityNarrator (voice)Documentary
2014Jean GreyCameo
2014Taken 3Lenore "Lenny" Mills
2015Jack of the Red HeartsKay
2017The ShowIlana Katz
2017All I WishVanessa[36]
2017Once Upon a Time in VeniceKatey Ford
2018Status UpdateKatherine Alden [37]
2018Bayou CaviarNicOriginally titled Louisiana Caviar[38]
2018AsherSophie[39]
2019The Poison RoseJayne Hunt[40]
2019PrimalDr. Ellen Taylor
2020The Postcard KillingsValerie Kanon[41] [42]
2020EndlessLee Douglas[43] [44]
2021The VaultMargaretOriginally titled Way Down[45]
2021DangerousAgent Shaughnessy[46]
2022Redeeming LoveDuchess[47]
2023Door MouseMama[48]
2023Knights of the ZodiacVander Guraad[49]
2023Boy Kills WorldHilda Van Der Koy[50]
2023Locked InKatherine[51]
The Experiment[52]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992KamalaEpisode: "The Perfect Mate"
1994Melrose PlaceDiane AdamsonEpisode: "Michael's Game"
1994CleoEpisode: "Voyeur"
2000–2001Ally McBealJamieEpisodes: "The Man with the Bag", "The Ex-Files"
2004–2010Nip/TuckAva MooreRecurring role, 11 episodes
2008Puppy LoveMayaWeb series
2013–2015Hemlock GroveOlivia GodfreyMain role
2015–2020How to Get Away with MurderEve RothlowRecurring role, 10 episodes
2015SuperMansionFrau MantisVoice role; 2 episodes
2016Robot ChickenJean Grey Voice role; episode: "Joel Hurwitz"
2016–2018The BlacklistSusan HargraveRecurring role, 5 episodes
2017Main role
2019When They See UsNancy RyanMiniseries; 2 episodes[53]
2019The CaptureJessica MalloryEpisode: "Correction"[54]
2022Long Slow ExhaleMelinda BarringtonRecurring role[55]

As director

Awards and nominations

YearAssociation CategoryNominated
work
ResultRef(s)
1996MTV Movie AwardsMTV Movie Award for Best Fight
GoldenEye[56]
2000Blockbuster Entertainment AwardsFavorite Supporting Actress – HorrorHouse on Haunted Hill[57]
Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsBest Supporting ActressHouse on Haunted Hill[58]
2001Blockbuster Entertainment AwardsFavorite Supporting Actress – Science FictionX-Men[59]
2006Hamptons International Film FestivalGolden Starfish Award for Career AchievementThe Treatment[60]
High Falls Film FestivalSusan B. Anthony "Failure is Impossible" AwardThe Treatment[61]
Scream AwardsSexiest Superhero
Best SuperheroX-Men: The Last Stand
Best Flesh Scene
X-Men: The Last Stand[62]
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Movie: Liplock
X-Men: The Last Stand[63]
2007Hamptons International Film FestivalSpecial RecognitionTurn the River
Special PrizeTurn the River
Saturn AwardsBest Supporting ActressX-Men: The Last Stand[64]
2016Gold Derby AwardsBest Drama Guest ActressHow to Get Away with Murder

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Famke Janssen Felt 'Misunderstood' After Breakout James Bond Role: 'I Was Thrown to the Wolves' . VanHoose . Benjamin . . 20 September 2022 . 29 October 2022.
  2. News: Famous birthdays for Nov. 5: Kris Jenner, Famke Janssen. UPI. November 5, 2022.
  3. News: Horoscope: November 05, 2016. East Bay Times. Jeraldine. Saunders. November 5, 2016.
  4. Web site: Famke Janssen- Biography . . 23 December 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120805213716/http://movies.yahoo.com/person/famke-janssen/biography.html . 5 August 2012.
  5. College Tour: Famke Janssen kijk je op . 26 September 2014 . 30:36 . npo.nl . 26 January 2015.
  6. Web site: Famke Janssen Plays Another Lethal Woman in a 'Blacklist' Spinoff. Shattuck. Kathryn. 17 February 2017 . The New York Times. 25 February 2017 . So how old are you? ... I'm 52..
  7. News: Justine . Elias . Famke Janssen; Transformations As a Way of Life, Not Just on Screen . The New York Times . 15 November 1998 . 16 October 2011.
  8. Web site: Famke Janssen [1965] Stage and Screen Performer ]. New Netherland Institute . 2 May 2016 . Also note that Famke retained her family name Janssen but her sisters changed their family name to Beumer..
  9. News: Jamie . Malanowski . A Scene Stealer's Big Score . . 20 August 2000 . 16 October 2009.
  10. Drew . Toal . The Hot Seat: She's a hustler, baby . . 7–13 May 2008 . 16 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080726094943/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/hot-seat/29235/famke-janssen . 26 July 2008 . dead .
  11. Web site: Ruyle. Megan. 8 May 2012. Famke Janssen. 25 June 2020. TheHill. en.
  12. Web site: The Owl Magazine. 25 June 2020. Columbia University School of General Studies.
  13. Web site: Famke Janssen Exclamation perfume commercial . 24 March 2009 . YouTube . 16 October 2011.
  14. Web site: X-Men's Famke Janssen Changed Star Trek: DS9's Trills, Says Dax Actress . . 7 December 2023 . 16 March 2024.
  15. Web site: Famke Janssen on Tavis Smiley . 16 October 2011 . . 6 May 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100523213246/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200805/20080506_janssen.html . 23 May 2010 .
  16. Web site: Famke Janssen [1965] Stage and Screen Performer ]. New Netherland Institute . 2 May 2016 . In 2007, she won three awards, the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress....
  17. Web site: Robert Yaniz Jr.. 'The Wolverine': Hugh Jackman on Jean Grey's Return. Screen Rant. 29 March 2013. 24 June 2014.
  18. News: Rob. Keyes. Famke Janssen on 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' Return: 'Stay Tuned'. Screen Rant. 1 October 2012. 24 June 2014.
  19. News: Marc. Malkin. X-Men: How Famke Janssen Kept Her Days of Future Past Cameo a Secret. E! News. 30 May 2014. 24 June 2014.
  20. News: Inside Move: Janssen out of 'MIB:2' . 27 November 2017 . Brodesser . Claude. 18 July 2001 . Variety.
  21. Web site: Famke Janssen at the Hollywood Life Magazine's Breakthrough of the.... 27 July 2007 . Getty Images.
  22. Web site: 2007 Hamptons International Film Festival Awards . HamptonsFilmFest.org . 4 January 2008 . 16 October 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110930060723/http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/2008/01/2007-hamptons-international-film-festival-awards/ . 30 September 2011 . dmy-all .
  23. News: Joan . Gilmore . Around Town: Bobby crew at JRB gallery . The Journal Record . 5 August 2010 . 16 October 2011.
  24. Web site: Gina McIntyre. 'Hemlock Grove' first look: Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgard in Season 2. Los Angeles Times. 27 May 2014. 24 June 2014.
  25. Web site: The Blacklist Spinoff Starring Famke Janssen In the Works At NBC. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. 29 March 2016. 29 March 2016.
  26. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva . The Blacklist Spinoff Picked Up To Series, NBC, Cruel Intentions Alive . . 14 May 2016 . 16 May 2016.
  27. Ross, Dalton. X-Men: Famke Janssen pushes for return of 'older' Jean Grey. Entertainment Weekly. en-US. live. April 22, 2016 . April 21, 2024. April 22, 2024. https://archive.today/20240422001541/https://ew.com/article/2016/04/22/x-men-famke-janssen-jean-grey/.
  28. News: Tribeca: Aaron Rodgers, Angela Bassett, Sheila Nevins Among Jurors. Lewis. Hilary. The Hollywood Reporter. 16 April 2019. 24 April 2019.
  29. Web site: Barraclough. Leo. Famke Janssen Joins Jeffrey Dean Morgan in 'The Postcard Killings,' First Look Image (EXCLUSIVE). 15 May 2019. 20 February 2021. Variety.
  30. Web site: DJ Caruso Adapts Romance Novel 'Redeeming Love' With Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis. The Wrap. Bryan Welk. 29 April 2020. 20 February 2021.
  31. Web site: Ritman. Alex. Scott Eastwood, Tyrese Gibson to Lead Action-Thriller 'Dangerous'. 12 November 2020. The Hollywood Reporter. 20 February 2021.
  32. Web site: Dawson. Angela. 'For Queen And Country' Drives Famke Janssen's Character In 'The Vault'. 31 March 2021. Forbes. en.
  33. Web site: Famke Janssen Is an Angel for Animals . . 16 October 2011 . 26 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091126022726/http://www.peta2.com/outthere/o-famke.asp . dead .
  34. Web site: UN Anti-Corruption Conference Opens in Bali . United Nations Information Service Vienna . 28 January 2008 . 16 October 2011.
  35. Web site: Famke Janssen says 'no' to kids. 8 July 2008. 5 November 2020. OK Magazine.
  36. News: Sharon Stone's 'A Little Something for Your Birthday Rounds Out Cast (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Ritman. Alex. 7 October 2016. 14 January 2017.
  37. News: Rob Riggle, Famke Janssen, Wendi McMcLendon-Covey & More Round Out 'Status Update' Cast. Deadline Hollywood. D'Alessandro. Anthony. 19 July 2016. 14 January 2017.
  38. News: Cuba Gooding Jr's Helming Debut Is 'Louisiana Caviar'; Richard Dreyfuss & Famke Janssen Star. Deadline Hollywood. Fleming. Mike Jr.. 19 June 2017. 25 August 2017.
  39. News: Famke Janssen Joining Cast Of Michael Caton-Jones' Movie 'Asher'. Deadline Hollywood. Busch. Anita. 27 April 2017. 25 August 2017. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711173059/https://deadline.com/2017/04/famke-janssen-asher-movie-michael-caton-jones-1202078603/. dead.
  40. News: Famke Janssen Joins John Travolta's Crime Thriller 'The Poison Rose' (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . McNary. Dave . 15 May 2018 . 13 June 2018.
  41. News: Famke Janssen Joins Jeffrey Dean Morgan in 'The Postcard Killings,' First Look Image (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Barraclough. Leo. 15 May 2019. 21 May 2019.
  42. News: 'The Postcard Killings' Film Review. Variety. Harvey. Dennis. 12 March 2020. 5 April 2020.
  43. News: 'X-Men' Star Famke Janssen Boards Scott Speer's Drama 'Endless' . Deadline. D'Alessandro . Anthony. 27 November 2018 . 30 December 2018.
  44. News: 'Endless' Review: A Young Adult 'Ghost' Story. Variety. Kennedy. Lisa. 12 August 2020. 29 October 2020.
  45. News: Saban Films Takes 'The Vault' as TF1 Studio Closes U.K, Italy (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Hopewell. John. 12 November 2020. 27 January 2021.
  46. News: Scott Eastwood, Tyrese Gibson, Famke Janssen, Kevin Durand & Mel Gibson Set For Action-Thriller - AFM. Deadline. Wiseman. Andrea. 12 November 2020. 27 January 2021.
  47. News: Logan Marshall Green, Abigail Cowen, Nina Dobrev, Famke Janssen & More Star In 'Redeeming Love' Adaptation From 'Eagle Eye' Helmer D.J. Caruso. Deadline. N'Duka. Amanda. 29 April 2020. 30 April 2020.
  48. News: Grobar. Matt. 8 June 2021. Hayley Law And Keith Powers To Topline Avan Jogia's Debut Feature 'Door Mouse'. Deadline Hollywood. 15 June 2021.
  49. News: Kit. Borys. 20 September 2021. 30 September 2021. Mackenyu, Madison Iseman, Sean Bean, Famke Janssen to Star in Live-Action 'Knights of the Zodiac' Adaptation (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter.
  50. News: Bill Skarsgard, Michelle Dockery Action Thriller 'Boy Kills World' Boarded by Capstone Global (EXCLUSIVE). Ravindran. Manori. Variety. 9 May 2022. 13 May 2022.
  51. News: Famke Janssen & Rose Williams To Topline Netflix's Psychological Thriller 'Locked In' From Director Nour Wazzi; Alex Hassell, Finn Cole And Anna Friel Also Set. Deadline. Grobar. Matt. December 21, 2022. February 24, 2023.
  52. News: 'The Experiment': Rhona Mitra, Famke Janssen & Stefanie Martini Lead Sci-Fi Horror Filming At UK's Rebellion Studios. Deadline. Wiseman. Andreas. September 15, 2022. February 24, 2023.
  53. Web site: Famke Janssen & More Join Ava DuVernay's Central Park Five miniseries . ComingSoon.net . Hermanns . Grant . 24 August 2018 . 7 October 2018.
  54. News: Ron Perlman, Famke Janssen, Laura Haddock Join BBC's 'The Capture' (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . Clarke. Stewart . 5 March 2019 . 5 March 2019.
  55. News: Famke Janssen Joins 'Long Slow Exhale' Basketball Drama Series At Spectrum Originals . Deadline Hollywood . Petski. Denise . 9 March 2021 . 27 March 2021.
  56. Web site: GoldenEye (1995). screenmusings.org. 22 February 2022.
  57. Web site: Famke Janssen. codepen.io. 6 January 2010. 22 February 2022.
  58. Web site: Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (2000 Awards). imdb.com. 22 February 2022.
  59. Web site: 52 Famke Janssen Movies, Ranked Best to Worst. through the clutter.com. 22 February 2022.
  60. Web site: 14th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival - "The Treatment" - Screening. gettyimages.in. 17 August 2011. 22 February 2022.
  61. Web site: "The Lives of Others" and "American Blackout" Take Top High Falls Film Festival Honors. IndieWire. 14 November 2006. 22 February 2022.
  62. Web site: Spike TV's Scream Awards Winners!. geeksofdoom.com. 9 October 2006. 22 February 2022.
  63. Web site: Famke Janssen. mymoviepicker.com. 22 February 2022.
  64. Web site: Famke Janssen (Bond Girl). jamesbond007.se. 6 January 2010. 22 February 2022.