Uma Karuna Thurman was born on April 29, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother, Nena von Schlebrügge, is a Swedish model and psychoanalyst, and her father, Robert Thurman, is a professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies and a writer. She was raised in Amherst, Massachusetts, and spent time in India during her childhood due to her father’s academic pursuits. She attended Northfield Mount Hermon School but dropped out to pursue acting.
Thurman began her acting career in the late 1980s. She initially found work as a model before transitioning to film. Her early roles included appearances in films such as “Kiss Daddy Goodnight” (1987), “Johnny Be Good” (1988), and “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988).
Thurman gained wider recognition for her role in “Henry & June” (1990), directed by Philip Kaufman. Her performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994) was a significant breakthrough, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This role solidified her status as a leading actress.
Thurman has starred in a variety of films across different genres. Some of her most notable works include: