Ashley Judd

ASHLEY JUDD is an eighth generation Eastern Kentuckian, who first proved her acting abilities in her debut feature film role as Ruby Lee Gissing’ in Victor Nunez internationally acclaimed RUBY IN PARADISE. Having won major acting awards world wide, Judd has demonstrated her range in a variety of genres and is a proven box office draw.

Judd stars in the independent film HELEN, written and directed by Sandra Nettlebeck. This dramatic story revolves around a music professor named ‘Helen’ (Judd) who suffers from a deep, debilitating depression and the only one who can relate to her pain is a young female student. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Judd completed filming the 20th Century Fox comedy and fantasy film TOOTH FAIRY co-starring opposite Dwayne Johnson. The film will be released in November 2009.

In 2006, returning to her indie roots, Judd starred in the feature film COME EARLY MORNING, written and directed by actress Joey Lauren Adams and in the Lions Gate film, BUG, as a lonely, paranoid, and traumatized recluse. BUG was written by Tracy Letts, and based on his play of the same name and directed by William Friedkin. The film won the International Press Award in Cannes in 2006 and Judd’s performance generated a considerable amount of critical acclaim. The film was embraced by critics and audiences at the Sundance Film Festival as well, which was Judd’s first time at the Festival since her debut in RUBY IN PARADISE.

On the small screen, Judd appeared as the focus of the National Geographic documentary that featured Judd’s travels to India in early 2007 on behalf of her ongoing commitment as Global Ambassador for YouthAids. The documentary aired on December 1st, World Aids Day. In 2006, a similar documentary aired on The Learning Channel that featured Judd’s travels to Central America with her friend, colleague, actor, feminist, and human rights activist, Salma Hayek.

In 2004, Judd delivered a heartfelt, emotional performance as socialite ‘Linda Lee Porter’ in the MGM Studios, Cole Porter bio-pic, DE LOVELY, for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. The film chronicled their marriage, which inspired such famous Cole Porter tunes as “Anything Goes.” DE LOVELY premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

In early 2004, Judd starred in TWISTED for director, Philip Kauffman and also starred on Broadway for 6 months in the leading role of ‘Maggie’ in Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” was produced by Bill Kenwright and directed by Anthony Page and was a success by all standards.

Judd had a very successful and diverse 2002. She had a small, but significant appearance as ‘Tina Modotti’ in the Julie Taymor directed bio-pic of Frida Kahlo, FRIDA. In addition, Judd had a strong supporting role in THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD starring amongst an impressive cast including Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Maggie Smith and James Garner. The film was directed by Callie Khouri and was based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Rebecca Wells.

Judd also starred in 20th Century Fox’s HIGH CRIMES which re-teamed her with KISS THE GIRL’S co-star, Morgan Freeman. The film was written by Joseph Finder and directed by Carl Franklin. Also for 20th Century Fox, Judd starred with Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman in SOMEONE LIKE YOU for director, Tony Goldwyn. With a turn to the romantic comedy genre, Judd portrayed a producer of a popular day time talk show who had a romance with the show's executive producer.

Judd’s other film credits include WHERE THE HEART IS, opposite Natalie Portman. Bruce Beresford's box-office success DOUBLE JEOPARDY, opposite Tommy Lee Jones for Paramount as well as EYE OF THE BEHOLDER with Ewan McGregor. Judd also starred in Walt Disney Pictures' 1998 drama SIMON BIRCH, based on the John Irving novel, A Prayer for Owen Meaney.

In 1997, Judd starred opposite Morgan Freeman in Paramount Pictures' box-office hit KISS THE GIRLS, as well as MGM's THE LOCUSTS, in which she co-starred opposite Vince Vaughn and Kate Capshaw. Judd was also seen in Michael Mann's HEAT, for which she won critical acclaim opposite Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Val Kilmer. In the summer of 1996, she appeared in Joel Schumacher's A TIME TO KILL, opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey. In late 1996, she was seen starring opposite Luke Perry in John McNaughton's black comedy NORMAL LIFE. Also in 1996, Judd received an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Norma Jean in HBO's NORMA JEAN & MARILYN.

Judd made her debut theatre performance in the Naked Angels' production of "Busted," directed by Timothy Hutton. She then went on to star as Madge on Broadway in William Inge's Pulitzer-prize winning play, "Picnic" at the Roundabout Theatre Company, while simultaneously filming an unforgettable supporting role in the Miramax Film SMOKE, portraying the daughter of Harvey Keitel and Stockard Channing.

Judd is also very proud to be the Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS, a global initiative that generates funding for grassroots programs in 65 countries and raises awareness to help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS among the world’s youth and most vulnerable populations. Judd has traveled throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Central America and India to visit orphanages, slums, brothels, hospices, medical clinics, youth and drop in centers. Her personal emphasis is on empowering girls and women, medically accurate sex education, and putting a stop to sex and human trafficking. To that end, she has been received by heads of state and religious leaders in all the countries she has visited, as well as having addressed the United Nations, The National Press Club and the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC.

Judd resides in Tennessee and Scotland with her husband, international racing star Dario Franchitti. They have 8 beloved pets and enjoy a quiet, rural life.

The Weinstein Company