Background:

“Sexy at the millennium means having a solid sense of self but never taking yourself too seriously.” Rebecca Romijn

Model-turned-actress Rebecca Romijn mystified audiences as blue-skinned mutant Mystique in three installments of the X-Men franchise: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Aside from gaining worldwide recognition, her captivating screen performance also won a Saturn Award and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award. Romijn also proved her acting skills through a number of screen roles, including Adrienne Barker in the NBC sitcom “Just Shoot Me” (1999-2000), Laure Ash/Lily in the Brian De Palma-helmed Femme Fatale (2002) and the titular turn of an ambitious reporter in the drama series “Pepper Dennis” (2006).

Romijn, who was named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1997 and 1999, appeared on several magazine covers and modeled for such products as Christian Dior, Escada, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Biotherm, Clarins, Maybelline, and Pantene Pro V. On a more private note, the left-handed actress was once credited as “Rebecca Romijn-Stamos” after marrying actor John Stamos (1998-2005). She is now engaged to actor Jerry O’Connell (born on February 17, 1974), who appeared with her in The Alibi (2006) and Man About Town (2006). Romijn currently resides in Los Angeles.


Jolly Giant

Childhood and Family:

Born on November 6, 1972, in Berkeley, California, Rebecca Romijn is the first of two sisters to Jaap Romijn (Dutch, custom furniture maker) and Elizabeth Kuizenga (Dutch American, English teacher). In 1980, her parents divorced.

As a child, Rebecca, who was called “the Jolly Blond Giant” while in high school, did not care very much about her physical looks. Yet, she decided to utilize her beauty in modeling to fund her education at the University of California in Santa Cruz (majored in Music). Following her appearance in Christian Dior and Escada advertisements, the model eventually left her studies to pursue a modeling career in Paris.

On September 19, 1998, 5’ 11” Rebecca exchanged wedding vows with actor John Stamos (born on August 19, 1963) and added her husband’s surname to hers. However, they separated in 2004 and were officially divorced in March 2005. She then dropped “Stamos” from her name.


Pepper Dennis

Career:

After having a three-year modeling gig in Paris, Rebecca Romijn returned to the United States and posed for Victoria’s Secret catalogs, Elle, Marie Claire and a swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. A couple of years later, she headed to the screen and voiced a character in the animated series “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” (1998).

Almost immediately, Romijn’s name shot up after she became the host of MTV’s “House of Style” (1998-2000). It led her to a guest performance in an episode of the acclaimed sitcom “Friends” (1998), as Cheryl, David Schwimmer’s messy girlfriend, as well as a small turn as the bearded lady in the comedy Dirty Work (1998). Romijn then appeared as a cameo in the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and took on the recurring role of Adrienne Barker in the NBC sitcom “Just Shoot Me” (1999-2000). She also acquired a more significant part in the TV biopic about Playboy magazine’s creator in Hefner: Unauthorized (1999, played daughter Kimberly Hefner).

Romijn, who appeared in an episode of “Jack & Jill” (2000), gained wider recognition with her imposing portrayal of Mystique, an evil shape-shifting mutant with a blue body, in Bryan Singer’s screen adaptation of the Marvel comic X-Men (2000). The newcomer, who earned more money per word than other cast member, was soon handed a Saturn and a Blockbuster Entertainment for Best Supporting Actress. Regrettably, her next screen performance, as Aurora, in Rollerball (2002) was jeered and received a Razzie nomination for Worst Supporting Actress.

Nonetheless, Romijn kept moving with her episodic appearance as the host of skit show “Mad TV” (2002). 2002 also saw her receive mixed reviews for starring as Laure Ash/Lily in the Brian De Palma-helmed Femme Fatale, make a cameo performance in the comedy Run Ronnie Run, and have an unaccredited turn as Faith in S1m0ne.

In 2003, the actress rejoined director Bryan Singer to reprise her well-known role of Mystique in the sequel X2, in which her fine performance brought home two Teen Choice and MTV Movie award nominations. Still taking part in the comic book adaptation, Romijn was seen in the supporting role of Joan in The Punisher (2004), alongside Thomas Jane, John Travolta and Will Patton. She then acted opposite Robert De Niro and Greg Kinnear in the thriller Godsend (2004).

Two years later, Romijn successfully revived Mystique in the third installment X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), this time for director Brett Ratner. She also recently shared the screen with fiancé Jerry O’Connell in the romantic comedy The Alibi (2006, played Lola) and the comedy drama Man About Town (2006, starred as Nina Giamoro), before having her first regular role in a TV series with the titular turn of an ambitious reporter in the drama series “Pepper Dennis” (show began in 2006).

Romijn will return to her mutant role, Mystique/Raven Darkholme, in the spin-off movie Magneto (2007). Written by Sheldon Turner, the film will chronicle the bitter childhood of mutant leader Magneto and his friendship with future enemy Charles Xavier.


Awards:

• Saturn: Best Supporting Actress, X-Men, 2001
• Blockbuster Entertainment: Favorite Supporting Actress - Science Fiction, X-Men, 2001