- Born
- Birth nameGemma Christina Arterton
- Height1.70 m
- Gemma Christina Arterton was born in Gravesend, Kent, England, where she was raised. She is the daughter of Sally-Anne (Heap), a cleaner, and Barry J. Arterton, a welder. Her mother's cousin is singer-songwriter Eric Goulden.
Her parents divorced when she was age five, and Gemma subsequently lived with her younger sister and her mother. Her parents encouraged their children to explore their creative abilities. Gemma's sister, Hannah, liked to sing, whereas Gemma chose acting. During her teenage years, she was part of the Masquerade and Miskin theater companies, appearing in productions of The Massacre of Civitella and Guiding Star. In 2004, she won an award for Best Supporting Actress, which helped her to win a grant to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Whilst studying at RADA, she landed her first professional role in Capturing Mary (2007), directed by Stephen Poliakoff and starring Maggie Smith. Gemma graduated from RADA in 2007 and won her first film role in St Trinian's : Pensionnat pour jeunes filles rebelles (2007). Her breakthrough role came in 2008, when she appeared in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008). In 2009, she was the winner of Empire's Best Newcomer Award.- IMDb mini biography by: Kad
- SpousesRory Keenan(September 15, 2019 - present) (1 child)Stefano Catelli(June 5, 2010 - August 21, 2015) (divorced)
- ParentsSally-Anne HeapBarry J. Arterton
- RelativesHannah Arterton(Sibling)
- Her unique speaking voice
- Was born with an extra finger on each hand, a benign condition known as polydactyly, and had the extra digits removed as an infant. The scars from the surgery are virtually unnoticeable today.
- Beat out 1500 other actresses for her role in Quantum of Solace (2008).
- A lifelong fan of karaoke, Gemma once worked as a singer in a south London 'gangster bar' where she was frequently instructed to sing "My Heart Will Go On" whenever things got out of hand with the rowdy patrons.
- The first scene she shot for Quantum of Solace (2008) was the love scene with Daniel Craig.
- Featured in Empire Magazine's "The Hot List" as one of the biggest upcoming stars in the 2010's. Other people on the list were Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldaña, Marion Cotillard, Mia Wasikowska and Le Choc des Titans (2010) co-star Sam Worthington.
- The minute anyone says, "Oh my God! You're so amazing!" I just have to go, "Shut up! Please!". I am normal. I have just one rule--don't believe the hype!
- [on the set of Prince of Persia: Les Sables du temps (2010)] When [director Mike Newell] first met me for the film he said, "Oh dear. Can't you do posh?" I thought, "I can't believe he's asked me that!". So I said--firmly, through gritted teeth--"Of course I can, I went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Fucking Art!".
- As soon as I say, "I can't go out in that dress, I've already worn it before!" my dad will say, "Listen to yourself! Stop being stupid!".
- [on making La disparition d'Alice Creed (2009)] I wanted something that was getting down and dirty, and really not about how you look. I wanted to be, like, fucking hair and make-up everywhere, just not giving a fuck! And yes, I get tied up, beaten, and there's nudity. All the things that made people go, "You should not do this!". But I put my foot down.
- When you put yourself in these huge popcorn movies you get out there, in the public arena, more than anyone else. But that also means that you're out there to be criticised more than anyone else. With Keira Knightley, she's brave to do her play. Because, for some reason, if you're successful in Britain, people tend not to like you. But if you're a successful woman, and beautiful, in Britain, you're even more disliked.
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