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Kelly Preston

A talented and captivating performer, Kelly Preston has performed in a broad range of motion pictures, portraying roles in such diverse films as Jerry Maguire, Citizen Ruth and For Love of the Game. Her dynamic and compelling performances have proven her to be one of the most sought-after actors of our generation.

Preston was born and raised in Hawaii. As a result of her father's position with an agricultural firm, the family moved first to Iraq for one year and then to Australia for two years. It was while she was a teenager in Hawaii that Preston appeared in television commercials and began to develop an interest in an acting career.

She graduated from Punahou High School in Hawaii, along with fellow alumni, President Barack Obama. She then relocated to Los Angeles and enrolled in the University of Southern California where she studied drama and theater. She ultimately transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles and decided to commit to pursue acting seriously. She would soon win her very first audition.

Preston was last seen in the comedy Old Dogs, starring alongside her husband John Travolta, their daughter Ella Bleu in her film debut, and Robin Williams. The film, directed by Walt Becker, is the story of two friends and business partners who find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead them to being placed in the care of seven-yearold twins. Old Dogs was released on November 25, 2009.

She recently wrapped production on Casino Jack alongside Kevin Spacey. The film is based on the true story of a hot shot Washington DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his protégé, who both go down hard as their schemes to peddle influence lead to corruption and murder. Preston plays the role of Pam Abramoff.

In 2008, Preston was seen on a four-episode arc on the hit NBC show Medium. Preston played the role of Meghan Doyle, an attractive venture capitalist who likes what she sees when she teams with Joe Dubois (Jake Weber), and this ultimately creates tension in his marriage.

Preston's most recent projects include the HBO pilot Suburban Shootout, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, Pushing Daisies), and the Lifetime Original Movie The Tenth Circle with Ron Eldard. Based on The New York Times best-selling novel by Jodi Picoult, The Tenth Circle is a powerful account of an American family and a story that probes the unbreakable bond between parent and child. Preston can also be seen in the Fox thriller Death Sentence with Kevin Bacon, directed by James Wan.

She made her feature film debut with a well-received role in the hit motion picture Twins, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. She has also starred in the Academy Award-nominated short Little Surprises, directed by Jeff Goldblum.

Preston appeared to rave reviews opposite Tom Cruise in the number one box office smash hit Jerry Maguire. The Tri-Star picture was written and directed by Cameron Crowe. She also starred opposite Kevin Costner in For Love of the Game, directed by Sam Raimi. She was also seen in a pivotal role in the critically acclaimed motion picture Citizen Ruth for Miramax. In addition, Preston starred with Kurt Russell in Sky High as Josie Jetstream, The Cat in the Hat alongside Mike Meyers, the dark comedy Eulogy with Ray Romano and Debra Winger, Addicted to Love co-starring Meg Ryan and Matthew Broderick, and the comedy Nothing to Lose opposite Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence.

Preston also starred in the feature film comedy The Holy Man, with Eddie Murphy and Jeff Goldblum, Jack Frost opposite Michael Keaton for Warner Brothers, Daddy and Them directed by Billy Bob Thornton, View from the Top with Gwyneth Paltrow and Christina Applegate, and the Warner Bros. film What a Girl Wants opposite Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2010.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Kelly Preston Facts

Birth NameKelly Palzis
OccupationActress, Model
BirthdayOctober 13, 1962 (61)
SignLibra
BirthplaceHonolulu, Hawaii, USA
Height5' 7" (1m70)  How tall is Kelly Preston compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.