Brooke Shields bio, age, height, family, husband, children, net worth 2025

Biography of Brooke Shields

Brooke Christa Shields is an actress and model. Her child modeling success launched her onto the big screen. She is a two-time Golden Globe nominee and has received two Satellite Award nominations for her standout performance as the lead character in the TV series "Suddenly Susan."

She is the author of five books, including her memoirs "Down Came the Rain," describing her postpartum depression, and the children's book "Welcome to Your World, Baby," which is narrated from the perspective of Shields' five-year-old daughter Rowan, who is waiting for the arrival of her younger sister, Grier.

At 14, Brooke transformed from child star to supermodel, becoming Yves Saint Laurent's muse, gracing Vogue's cover (as the youngest model ever to appear on it), and partnering with Calvin Klein. The young beauty shot to fame through a provocative ad campaign that shocked audiences with her now-iconic line about what she wore under her jeans: "You want to know what comes in between me and my Calvins? Nothing".

Years later, Brooke revealed that at 15, she didn't grasp the full implications of that phrase or the campaign itself. Still just a kid, she faced tough questions from reporters asking how she felt about it all—something Shields believes deeply impacted her psyche. That's when she achieved worldwide fame as an actress with her starring role in the romantic drama "The Blue Lagoon," which became a cultural phenomenon.

Childhood

The future star was born May 31, 1965, in Manhattan. Her mother, 32-year-old Teri Schmon, was a model with Hollywood ambitions. She came from a poor, large Catholic family of Jewish descent. Brooke's father, 24-year-old businessman Frank Shields, was socially connected and descended from Italian and French aristocrats, including royalty—notably King Henry IV.

The couple divorced shortly after Brooke's birth—their views on life, status, and child-rearing were simply incompatible. Afterward, Brooke's strong-willed mother became determined to make her daughter both a modeling sensation and movie star. The adorable baby was under a year old when she made her debut in an Ivory soap commercial.

Brooke's frist commercial for Ivory soap

She quickly became a successful child model while taking ballet, horseback riding, and piano lessons. Her mother strictly controlled her diet, regularly took her to beauty salons, and limited her interactions with other kids—afraid of losing control. Until the 8th grade, Brooke studied at the New Lincoln School, a private school in New York, then at the Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, New Jersey.

First Roles

At age 9, the stunningly beautiful girl made her TV debut playing Quentin's daughter in the drama "After the Fall". A year later, the media claimed she had "reached such exciting allure" that her mother agreed to let her participate in a nude photo shoot called "The Woman in the Child" by photographer Garry Gross for Playboy. In the photos, she appeared as a child but with strikingly adult and even predatory makeup, standing in a shower wearing only a massive black necklace

After these photographs were displayed at the Fine Arts Gallery in Manhattan, Brooke gained scandalous fame and—thanks to her mother's efforts—landed her first film role in the slasher "Alice, Sweet Alice," released in 1976. The actress later tried to sue the magazine for the rights to her nude photos, but was unsuccessful.

Brooke Shields at the beginning of her career

In 1978, the rising star's film career continued with another highly provocative project that her father strongly opposed, but her mother insisted on. In the historical drama "Pretty Baby," she played the lead role of young Violet, whose innocence her mother, prostitute Hattie (Susan Sarandon), auctioned off for $400.

Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields and Susan Sarandon

The film, based on true events, was a resounding success, sparking heated public debates and winning the Technical Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The New York Times included it in their list of the top 1000 films of all time. For the young actress, the role brought a questionable reputation with the public, yet also earned critical acclaim for her truly extraordinary performance, full of depth and subtlety that revealed her character's nature. Even four decades later, Brooke herself said she had no regrets about the project.

That same year, the drama "King of the Gypsies" was released, featuring the 13-year-old actress as young gypsy Tita. Her co-stars included Eric Roberts, making his film debut, and Susan Sarandon, who had played her mother in the controversial "Pretty Baby."

Career Peak

Brooke's popularity skyrocketed at a breathtaking pace. In 1979, fans could see her in leading roles in three films: in the comedic drama "Tilt," playing a rebellious pinball-obsessed teenager, in the romantic western "Wanda Nevada," as the orphaned Wanda, and in the comedy "Just You and Me, Kid," where she played a young vagabond and adventurer.

But she truly cemented her status as a superstar in 1980 with the release of "The Blue Lagoon," hailed by critics as a "tale of paradise." In the storyline, Brooke's character, a girl named Emmeline, and her cousin Richard, find themselves stranded as children on an uninhabited island. They adapt to island life, grow up, and begin to feel attracted to each other.

The Blue Lagoon Official Trailer HD

For her role as Emmeline, the actress was nominated for the "Young Performer" award, created to recognize talented performers under 21, and simultaneously received a nomination for the notorious "Golden Raspberry," becoming its first recipient. But this unfortunate honor didn't dampen the growing audience adoration for the beauty.

After The Blue Lagoon Brooke became a superstar

Her modeling career also took off in the early 1980s. In 1980, a scandalous (by the standards of that era) advertisement for Calvin Klein jeans was released. The concept of the ad was simple: the camera slowly panned over Brooke, dressed in dark jeans, followed by her sultry question, "You want to know what comes in between me and my Calvins? Nothing."

CALVIN KLEIN JEANS - Brooke Shields - Nothing (80's Commercial)

She became the most sought-after and highest-paid top model of that era, participating in dozens of high-profile events, charitable projects, and advertising campaigns. Her photographs graced the covers of the most prestigious fashion magazines: Elle, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Glamour, Seventeen, and she earned $10,000 a day. Harper's Bazaar named her one of the ten most magnificent women in America, a title she held even at 23. From 1980 to 1985, her photos adorned more than 300 covers of international glossies.

But the star had to deal with constant criticism and speculation, constant scrutiny from detractors, and the relentless focus of cameras, facing threats and harassment from obsessed fans. This situation took a toll on her mental health, making her a frequent client of the family psychologist. To silence rumors about her daughter's promiscuous lifestyle and prove her innocence, her mother, who had begun to struggle with alcoholism, took out insurance on her virginity.

Meanwhile, she was building her acting chops, fighting to break free from being typecast as a sexualized ingénue. But directors kept casting her in romantic leads.

At 16, she starred in the emotional drama "Endless Love," which became a massive hit and happened to mark Tom Cruise's film debut (he played Billy in a supporting role). The film earned multiple awards, including a Young Artist Award nomination for her role as Jade. She also earned the title "Face of the '80s" but once again got a Golden Raspberry nomination for worst actress. In total, she was nominated for this anti-award five times.

In 1983, the adventure drama "Sahara" solidified Shields' reputation in Hollywood and cemented her status as a leading young star. She played the daughter of a dead race car driver who decides to compete in his place. Reports put her salary at over a million dollars.

That same year, she graduated high school and enrolled at Princeton University in New Jersey, moving into the dorms. During college, she got her first taste of theater and later conquered London's West End and Broadway in shows like "Chicago," "The Vagina Monologues," "Cabaret," and "The Addams Family."

16 year old Brooke Shields interview

She also said she "learned to think" after escaping her mother's controlling influence. In 1987, she added brains to her beauty, earning a Bachelor's in French Literature and a Master's in Italian Language Studies.

Adult Career

After graduating from university, her modeling career started to fade, but she stayed busy landing starring roles in well-paying films that audiences embraced.

In 1988's heist thriller "Diamond Trap," she delivered a standout performance as a charming gallery employee who outsmarts a clever detective (Howard Hesseman). The following year, she took on the role of ace reporter Brenda Starr in the comic book adaptation, sharing the screen with Timothy Dalton.

Throughout the 1990s, Shields proved her range with increasingly complex roles, finally earning the respect of critics who had long dismissed her. In the drama "Backstreet Dreams," she gave a compelling performance as a psychologist working with an autistic child.

In "Running Wild," she played journalist Christine, who travels to Africa to meet conservationist Dan (Martin Sheen). In thriller "The Seventh Floor," she played Kate, a young woman trapped in a high-tech apartment. In the dark comedy "Freeway" alongside Reese Witherspoon, she played the mother of a serial killer (Kiefer Sutherland).

Brooke Shields Interview (on Jonathan Ross) (1997)

The actress also appeared in popular television series: "Friends", "Quantum Leap", "Law & Order". Her biggest TV success came with sitcom "Suddenly Susan" (1996-2000), where she played a glamorous journalist who ditches her fiancé at the altar.

Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins: Suddenly Susan

In 1999, James Toback's gangster film "Black and White" was released. The director struggled to cast the wife of main character Terry (played by Robert Downey Jr.). But after meeting Brooke, Toback was immediately struck by her "inner decency," "sharp mind," and "sense of humor," and cast her on the spot. The director was captivated by both her beauty and her natural improvisational skills on camera.

In the same year, Brooke joined the star-studded cast of the romantic comedy "The Bachelor," which included Chris O'Donnell, Mariah Carey, and Renee Zellweger. In 2001, she landed a key role as Janine in TV drama "Widows," starring opposite Whoopi Goldberg.

She spent six years on one of her most popular projects, sitcom "Two and a Half Men," playing Danielle, neighbor to Alan (Jon Cryer), brother of notorious womanizer Charlie (Charlie Sheen). During the same period, along with Lindsay Lohan, Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, she was among the guest stars involved in the teen television series "That '70s Show."

During 2007-2009, the actress took on several memorable roles: the mother of the main character in the hit youth sitcom "Hannah Montana," successful businesswoman Wendy in the dramatic comedy "Lipstick Jungle," and gallery owner Susan in the cult horror film "Midnight Meat Train."

2010 saw the release of five film projects featuring Shields, including the comedy "Furry Vengeance," where she played the wife of main character Dan Sanders, portrayed by Brendan Fraser. Other notable films from that period include "The Greening of Whitney Brown" and "Chalet Girl."

In 2011, the Hollywood star participated in the burlesque production "Nurse Betty," which premiered on Broadway. After the show, she posed with an albino python and naked dancers, echoing her provocative Playboy modeling days. In 2013, Brooke was inducted into the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Hall of Fame.

Starting in 2014, she voiced Beverly Goodman in the animated series about a cynical little dog "Mr. Pickles" and its spin-off "Momma Named Me Sheriff." Then fans could see Shields in the comedy television slasher "Scream Queens," where she appeared as Dr. Lovin.

In 2016, she tried something completely different, becoming the curator of a contemporary art exhibition in Birmingham, "Call of the Wild." Birmingham Museum director David Kratz, a good friend, convinced her to try curating. Without any formal training, she selected works for the exhibition based purely on intuition.

A year later, the drama "Daisy Winters" was released - a story about the unusual relationship between an 11-year-old girl (Sterling Jerins) and her mother, a role brilliantly played by Shields. She also participated in a new Calvin Klein advertising campaign, 37 years after her scandalous jeans ad with that notorious slogan. In 2017-2018, she was also busy in the final season of the "Law & Order" series.

In 2018, the 52-year-old star became the face of Swimsuits For All, a company that produces beachwear for women of all ages and body types. She appeared in a swimsuit presentation, urging women not to be ashamed of their bodies. Joining the actress, who maintains an impressive figure, plus-size model Ashley Graham and record-breaking swimmer Pat Gallant-Charet participated in the body-positive campaign.

From 2018 to 2019, Shields appeared in the romantic comedy-drama "Jane the Virgin," which follows a modest young woman who becomes pregnant after accidental artificial insemination during a routine gynecologist visit.

In 2019, it was announced that Eva Longoria would direct the LGBT drama "Glamorous," with Shields set to appear as a former model turned cosmetics company manager.

Brooke Shields' Personal Life

Brooke's ambitious mother, who dreamed of a wealthy and famous son-in-law, spent years trying to "sell" her daughter's innocence. As Brooke herself admitted in a 2009 interview with Health magazine, she lost her virginity at the age of 22, while at Princeton, during her relationship with actor Dean Cain.

As Shields recalled, she and Dean were madly in love with each other, but when it came to the moment, she "felt like she had stolen someone's wallet," and couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was watching them disapprovingly.

I didn't understand where I ended and where my mother began... And how to 'fit' Dean into all this. We soon broke up.

Before that, she had many relationships, most of which were orchestrated by her mother: at 16, Brooke dated John Travolta, Michael Jackson (although it was rumored that their romance was a PR stunt), at 18 she was with Albert II, the crown prince of Monaco, a year later – with Egyptian billionaire Dodi al-Fayed.

Around 1985, her boyfriend was singer George Michael (who later came out as gay), in 1987 – actor Nicolas Cage, in 1991 – Liam Neeson, and in 1992 – John Lennon's son, rock musician Julian Lennon.

In 1993, she started dating tennis champion Andre Agassi and married him in 1997, but the marriage was short-lived - they separated two years later.

Soon after the divorce, fate brought her together with her second husband on the set of "Suddenly Susan" - screenwriter and producer Chris Henchy. According to Brooke, he admired her elegance, grace, and perfect figure. At that time, she just needed a man who would "sing her praises." They realized they were made for each other and married in 2001. In 2003, the couple welcomed their eldest daughter Rowan, and in 2006 their younger daughter Grier.

Brooke Shields and her husband Chris Henchy

Brooke is an active animal rights advocate and a vegan. She's happy in her marriage, doesn't mourn her past high-profile success and fame, enjoying a quiet life with her close-knit family.

Brooke Shields Now

In 2020, the actress, together with Cary Elwes, began filming the romantic comedy "A Castle for Christmas". The plot centers on Brooke's character Sophie, an American writer journeying across Scotland. During her trip, she wants to buy one of the castles in Scotland. However, the owner, Duke Miles (played by Elwes), doesn't want to sell his property to a foreigner.

'Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields' | Official Trailer | Hulu

In April 2023, the documentary "Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby" was released on Hulu, where the actress detailed her relationship with her tyrannical mother who relentlessly pushed her to stardom, her rape by an influential producer during a career slump in her youth, and her struggles with depression.

Brooke Shields: latest news and articles

Brooke Shields will star in a sitcom based on `The Blue Lagoon`

20 Mar 2025

Photos: Brooke Shields