Raised in Zambia until age five

Moved with family to Penzance, Cornwall, England

Studied dance and theater as a child until a back injury forced her to study acting full-time

Made feature acting debut at age 16 in John Duigan's "Flirting" (released in USA in 1992)

Hollywood acting debut, "Interview With the Vampire"; had small role of a maid; first screen role opposite Tom Cruise

Gained international recognition opposite Nick Nolte in "Jefferson in Paris"

Co-starred in Duigan's "The Leading Man"

Played the title character in Jonathan Demme's "Beloved"

Starred in Bernardo Bertolucci's "Besieged" (originally made for Italian television and released theatrically)

Played the female lead in the John Woo-directed sequel, "Mission: Impossible II" starring Tom Cruise

Co-starred in the "Charade" remake, "The Truth About Charlie"

Cast in the action thriller "Shade"; set in the world of L.A. poker hustlers

Played the love interest of Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle) on the NBC medical drama "ER"

Starred opposite Vin Diesel in "The Chronicles of Riddick"

Starred in Paul Haggis' directorial debut "Crash," a multicharacter study of L.A. race relations

Cast as Will Smith's estranged wife and the mother of his son in "The Pursuit of Happyness"

Played Eddie Murphy's love interest in the comedy "Norbit"

Cast as Simon Pegg's jilted fiancée in David Schwimmer's directorial debut, "Run Fatboy Run"

Portrayed U.S. National Security Advisor-turned Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Oliver Stone's controversial biopic "W."