Kristin Kreuk
Kristin Laura Kreuk (born December 30 1982) is a Canadian-born actress and model of Chinese, and Dutch descent known for her roles on the Canadian television series teen soap Edgemont and on the American television series Smallville.
Biography
Kreuk (rhymes with "Luke") was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her father, Peter Kreuk, is of Dutch ancestry and her mother, Deanna Che, is of Chinese ancestry; both are landscape architects. Kristin also has a sister, Justine Kreuk, who is about five years younger. She is considered a sex symbol among her fans, primarily because of her unusual Eurasian appearance and dimples. Kristin took gymnastics in high school but quit in grade 11 due to scoliosis.
She had plans to study either psychology, environmental science, or forensic science at Simon Fraser University when a casting director for the CBC TV series Edgemont contacted Eric Hamber Secondary School, looking for an exotic-looking girl to play the part of a Chinese Canadian, Laurel Yeung on the Vancouver-shot show. Kreuk, who had no previous acting experience other than in musicals at her high school, was convinced to audition for the role by her drama teacher. To her surprise, she won the part.
Television
After shooting the first season of Edgemont (a teen soap opera set at a Vancouver-area high school) and getting herself an agent, Kreuk landed the lead role of Snow White in a TV movie entitled Snow White: The Fairest of Them All. The film, shot in Vancouver, also starred Miranda Richardson and was directed by Caroline Thompson. It aired on ABC on March 17, 2002.
After Snow White, Kreuk's agent sent an audition tape to screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who at the time were putting together the cast of a show they had created for the WB Network entitled Smallville. The series (which was slated to be shot in Vancouver) revolves around the life of teenager Clark Kent, alias Superman. Gough and Millar called Kreuk to WB's studios in Burbank, California to audition for the role of Clark Kent's pre-Lois Lane love, Lana Lang. Originally, Kreuk was unsure about auditioning for Lana's role, as the character was to be a popular, gorgeous cheerleader and so she assumed that the part would be that of a shallow "idiot". However, upon reading the "graveyard scene" from the pilot, she was so impressed that when she was offered the role, she immediately accepted.
In 2003, Kreuk wrapped up her role on Edgemont.
Modeling
Kreuk has also signed on as spokesmodel for Neutrogena. She is thus following the footsteps of fellow teen stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Mandy Moore in pursuing a modeling career. Her height, however, is 5 inches shorter than the usual minimum height requirement for women in most agencies.
Movies
In 2003, she made her first feature film role, a cameo appearance in the movie Eurotrip, starring Scott Mechlowicz and Michelle Trachtenberg. The film, shot in Prague, Czech Republic, also featured cameos by Matt Damon and Lucy Lawless. It debuted in theatres on February 20, 2004.
In the summer of 2004, Kreuk joined the cast of the Sci Fi Channel miniseries Legend of Earthsea, starring Shawn Ashmore and Danny Glover and based on the novels by Ursula K. Le Guin. Her character, Tenar, is the pupil of High Priestess Thar of the Tombs of Atuan (played by Isabella Rossellini) and also the love interest of Ashmore's character. The two-part miniseries, filmed in Vancouver, was directed by Rob Lieberman and co-produced by Lawrence Bender of Pulp Fiction fame. It aired on December 13, 2004.
In early 2005, Kreuk signed on to the independent feature film Partition. She will be playing the role of Naseem, a vulnerable 17-year-old whose world is shattered by the trauma of the Partition of India in 1947, but falls in love with ex-British Indian Army officer Gian Singh (played by Jimi Mistry). Neve Campbell also stars. The film is directed by Vic Sarin and is a co-production between Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role | Other notes |
| 2005 | Partition | Naseem | Post-production |
| 2004 | Legend of Earthsea | Tenar | Miniseries |
| 2004 | Eurotrip | Fiona | Cameo appearance |
| 2001 | Snow White | Snow White | Television movie |
| 2001 | Smallville | Lana Lang | Television Series |
| 2000 | Edgemont | Laurel Yeung | Television Series |
Facts and stats
- Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
- Hair: Dark Brown
- Ethnicity: Dutch, Chinese,
- Nationality: Canadian
- Eyes: Hazel
- Capricorn
- Born and raised in Vancouver, BC
- Spokesmodel for Neutrogena
- Ranked #67 on the 2005 Maxim Hot 100 list
- Voted #24 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list [2003]
- Attended Eric Hamber Secondary School
External links
