Studied ballet with the Royal Ballet in London, until an injury ended her career

Returned to Germany and became a top fashion model

Relocated to Paris to pursue acting at the suggestion of filmmaker Luc Besson

Made acting debut in the indie feature "The Piano Player," opposite Christopher Lambert and Dennis Hopper

Featured in "Mon Idole," directed by husband Guillaume

Starred in Luc Besson's "Michel Vaillant"

Starred as Helen, the Queen of Sparta in Wolfgang Petersen's "Troy," an adaptation of Homer's great epic

Cast opposite Josh and Rose Byrne in "Wicker Park"

Co-starred with Nicolas Cage in "National Treasure" produced by Jerry Bruckheimer

Co-starred with Ed Harris in "Copying Beethoven"

Co-starred in "The Hunting Party" with Richard Gere and Terrence Howard

Portrayed the wife of Nelson Mandela's prison guard in "Goodbye Bafana" a drama based on the book Goodbye Bafana: Nelson Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend by James Gregory

Re-teamed with Nicolas Cage for "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" the sequel to the 2004 hit

Played a German double agent in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds"