Nicole Kidman’s Younger Hollywood Years: Photos Of The Star In Her 20s, 30s, & Now

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June 22, 2021 10:57AM EDT

From Academy Award-winning performances to superhero and children’s movies, Nicole Kidman actress has had a career as varied as it is long. Take a look at photos from the actress’s career from her early beginnings to now.

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Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman — Nicole Kidman turned 54 in 2021 (Her birthday is June 20)! Her career has continued to thrive into her mid-50s, and it’s hard to believe that she’s been acting and starring in movies for nearly 40 years. The American-born Australian star has been working in the film industry since she was 16, winning an Academy Award, two Emmys and five Golden Globes in the span of her career.

Nicole’s debut role came in 1983, when she landed her first part in the Australian drama ‘Bush Christmas.’ She acted in many Australian movies and TV shows prior to breaking through in the American film ‘Days of Thunder’ along with future-husband Tom Cruise in 1990, who she’d marry that same year and divorce in 2001. Throughout the 90s, she became a household name through movies like ‘Batman Forever’ and ‘To Die For.’ From ‘BMX Bandits’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, and ‘Boy Erased,’ take a look into Nicole Kidman’s career, which spans over three decades.

Scroll through the gallery to see more pictures of Nicole Kidman.

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Dead Calm (1989)

Dead Calm (1989) — After making her debut in 1983’s Bush Christmas, Nicole Kidman continued acting in various Australian movies, TV shows and miniseries. 1989, she starred in Dead Calm alongside Sam Neill and Billy Zane. Nicole and Sam play Rae and John Ingram, respectively, a couple who encounter Hughie, played by Hughie, who’s a suspicious survivor on a sinking ship, according to IMDb.

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Days Of Thunder (1990)

Days Of Thunder (1990) — Nicole Kidman’s first American role was in 1990’s Days of Thunder, a stock-car racing Drama, which she starred in alongside Tom Cruise. Nicole and Tom met just before working on the film in 1989 and got married in 1990. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 2001.

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Far and Away (1992)

Far and Away (1992) — Nicole Kidman, shown here in Sydney, Australia’s Palm Beach, starred in Ron Howard’s period-drama Far and Away, where she played an Irish immigrant alongside Tom Cruise. Nicole and Tom’s characters flee to Oklahoma after facing eviction as part of the Land Rush of 1893.

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Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 1992

Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 1992 — Nicole Kidman attended the 1992 Cannes Film Festival in France, as Far and Away was screened as part of the competition that year. Kidman attended the prestigious festival many times throughout her career.

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Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 1995

Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 1995 — Nicole Kidman returned to the Cannes Film Festival again in 1995 along with the premiere of her starring role in To Die For. In the movie, Nicole stars as aspiring newscaster Suzanne Stone, who “films a documentary on teenagers with a darker ulterior motive,” according to IMDb.

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Nicole Kidman at 1996 Blockbuster Awards

Nicole Kidman at 1996 Blockbuster Awards — In 1996, Nicole Kidman won the “Favorite Lead Actress – Action/Adventure” award at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. She had been nominated for playing Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever, Bruce Wayne’s (played by Val Kilmer) love interest.

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Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 2001

Nicole Kidman at Cannes in 2001 — Nicole Kidman once again attended the Cannes Film Festival in 2001, after starring as Satine in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! The romantic musical would also earn Nicole her first Academy Award nod. She won her second Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 2002 for her role in the movie.

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Nicole Kidman in 2001

Nicole Kidman in 2001 — In 2001, Nicole Kidman also starred in Birthday Girl, playing a Russian mail-order bride. Nicole studied Russian at the embassy in Sydney, Australia for the role. Unfortunately, the film received mixed reviews.

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Nicole Kidman at The Others (2001) Premiere

Nicole Kidman at The Others (2001) Premiere — Nicole Kidman also starred in the horror flick The Others in 2001. The movie was a massive success, grossing over $209 million worldwide.

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Nicole Kidman at the 74th Academy Awards

Nicole Kidman at the 74th Academy Awards — After starring in Moulin Rouge, Nicole Kidman was nominated for an Oscar in 2002. Unfortunately, she lost to Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball, but she would win for her role in The Hours in 2003.

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Nicole Kidman at the 2003 Golden Globes

Nicole Kidman at the 2003 Golden Globes — Before taking home an Oscar for role as modernist author Virginia Woolf in The Hours, Nicole Kidman won the “Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama” Golden Globe for her same performance.

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Nicole Kidman at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival

Nicole Kidman at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival — Again appearing at Cannes, Nicole Kidman attended the premiere of Lars Von Trier’s Dogville, which she starred in as “a woman on the run from the mob” who takes shelter in a Colorado town, according to IMDb.

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Nicole Kidman at the 79th Academy Awards

Nicole Kidman at the 79th Academy Awards — In 2007, Nicole Kidman attended the 79th Annual Academy Awards in a jawdropping red Balienciaga dress. That same year she had roles in The Golden Compass and Margot at the Wedding.

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Nicole Kidman at 80th Academy Awards

Nicole Kidman at 80th Academy Awards — In 2008, Nicole Kidman again attended the Oscars, This time she wore a black Balenciaga dress. The same year she also played Lady Sarah Ashley in Australia.

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Nicole Kidman at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards

Nicole Kidman at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards — In 2009, Nicole Kidman wore a pink L’Wren Scott dress to the 43rd Annual CMA Awards. In 2006, she married country superstar Keith Urban, whom she attended the ceremony with.

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Nine (2009)

Nine (2009) — In 2009, Nicole Kidman starred alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in the musical Nine. She played Claudia, the muse for director Guido Contini (Lewis).

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Nicole Kidman at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Nicole Kidman at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards — In 2010, Nicole Kidman attended the Golden Globes again. She wore a Nina Ricci satin gown to the ceremony.

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Nicole Kidman in 2014

Nicole Kidman in 2014 — Nicole Kidman attended the Calvin Klein Show during New York Fashion Week in 2014. She wore a simple, but elegant white dress to the event.

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Paddington (2014)

Paddington (2014) — Nicole Kidman took on the role of Millicent for the beloved children’s movie Paddington in 2014. Nicole wore a black Nina Ricci dress for the film’s Los Angeles premiere.

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Paddington (2014)

Paddington (2014) — Paddington was one few children’s movies that Nicole Kidman has starred in throughout her career. The movie proved to be a success though, earning over $282 million worldwide.

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Nicole Kidman in 2016

Nicole Kidman in 2016 — In 2016, Nicole Kidman attended the UNICEF Ball in Los Angeles, which honored soccer player David Beckham. Nicole was one of many stars who went to the event, including Selena Gomez and Heidi Klum

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The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) — In 2017, Nicole Kidman starred in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which premiered at Cannes. She sported a puffy Calvin Klein dress, with a tight black top to the premiere.

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Nicole Kidman in 2018

Nicole Kidman in 2018 — From 2017 to 2019, Nicole Kidman starred in the TV series Big Little Lies. Her performance as Celeste Wright earned her two Emmys for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie” and “Outstanding Limited Series.” Nicole was also nominated for the “Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama” Golden Globe.

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Boy Erased (2018)

Boy Erased (2018) — In 2019, Nicole Kidman returned to Australia for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. She won the “Best Supporting Actress” award for her performance as Nancy Eamons in the biographical drama Boy Erased.

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Nicole Kidman in 2019

Nicole Kidman in 2019 — Nicole Kidman went to the Michael Kors show at the Spring-Summer 2020 New York Fashion Week. Nicole donned a Michael Kors Cashmere sweater and skirt, but the standout piece was the extra-long scarf.

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