By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:09am PDT, Apr 24, 2020
In honor of her 50th birthday on April 29, 2020, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at Uma Thurman's life and career in pictures, starting with this early modeling shot from the mid-1980s. Keep reading to relive more of her biggest moments caught on camera…
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Uma Thurman, who launched her modeling career when she was just 15, is seen here posing in an undated magazine photoshoot from the mid-1980s. The blonde beauty was following in her mother's footsteps: Her mom, Nena von Schlebrügge, was a high-fashion model who posed for the likes of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.
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Uma Thurman made her feature film debut (playing a model!) in the 1987 thriller "Kiss Daddy Goodnight." The following year, she scored her first big break when she co-starred alongside Brat Packers Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Michael Hall in the 1988 teen comedy "Johnny Be Good."
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Uma Thurman joined Richard Gere at the premiere of "The Moderns" in New York City on April 7, 1988. The duo co-starred in the 1992 thriller "Final Analysis." Around the time the film debuted, the actress was romantically linked to both her co-star and their director, Phil Joanou. She also briefly dated John Cusack and was linked to Don Johnson and producer Steve Bing.
Uma Thurman earned raves for her work as Cécile de Volanges in 1988's "Dangerous Liaisons" — her first major breakthrough.
Uma Thurman and co-stars John Malkovich and Glenn Close met Princess Diana at the premiere of "Dangerous Liaisons" in London on March 6, 1989.
In 1990, Uma Thurman had the distinction of starring alongside Maria De Medeiros and Fred Ward in the first film to score an NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America: "Henry & June." It went on to also score an Oscar nomination for best cinematography.
Uma Thurman posed with her brothers — Mipam, Dechen and Ganden — in an undated photo circa 1990. They also have a half-sister, Taya, from their father's first marriage.
Uma Thurman accompanied Gary Oldman to the premiere of "State of Grace" — a crime-drama in which he starred — in New York City on Sept. 9, 1990. They tied the knot that same year but split just two years later.
Uma Thurman joined dad Robert Thurman — an author and professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies — at the Great Miracle Prayer Festival Benefit Concert Series at Town Hall in New York City on Feb. 24, 1993.
In 1993, Uma Thurman starred opposite Robert De Niro in "Mad Dog and Glory." There were rumors around the time that they were more than friendly colleagues.
Uma Thurman became a household name after she starred as Mia Wallace in 1994's "Pulp Fiction." She earned Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award and SAG Award nominations for her performance as aspiring actress Mia Wallace.
Uma Thurman — a nominee in the best supporting actress category for her work in "Pulp Fiction" that year — presented the Oscar for best makeup during the 67th Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 27, 1995. She looked lovely in a lavender Prada number that's often credited with introducing the fashion house to the world. The look launched her to the top of the best dressed list, sealing her fate as a fashion It girl. She went on to become the face of Lancôme and signed lucrative deals to serve as a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy perfumes and more.
Uma Thurman accompanied "Beautiful Girls" co-star Timothy Hutton to the Los Angeles premiere of another movie in which he starred, "French Kiss," on May 1, 1995. There were rumors they were dating around the time they filmed the 1996 ensemble rom-com.
Uma Thurman had a memorable turn as Poison Ivy in 1997's "Batman & Robin." Though the superhero flick failed to impress critics, the actress scored a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for her work as the iconic villainess. (She also earned a Razzie Award nomination for worst supporting actress.)
Uma Thurman really hit it off with Ethan Hawke when they co-starred in 1997's "Gattaca." They tied the knot less than a year after the sci-fi film debuted.
Uma Thurman cradled her baby bump while pregnant with her first child with Ethan Hawke, daughter Maya Hawke, at the premiere of "Les Misérables" in New York City on April 21, 1998. It was a big year for the actress, who earned raves for her work in the adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. Just weeks after the film debuted, she and Ethan reportedly tied the knot. Their little girl arrived two months later.
Uma Thurman chased after her daughter, Maya Hawke, at a park in New York City on Dec. 3, 1999. The little girl arrived the previous year on July 8, 1998.
Ethan Hawke directed then-wife Uma Thurman in the 2001 ensemble drama "Chelsea Walls" — his feature film directorial debut.
A heavily pregnant Uma Thurman supported her longtime pal and collaborator Quentin Tarantino at a special screening of "Iron Monkey" — a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film he was instrumental in bringing to the United States — at the AMC Empire 25 in New York City on Oct. 9, 2001 . That same year, the filmmaker was set to direct his muse in "Kill Bill," but production was delayed for several months to accommodate the actress's pregnancy with her second child with then-husband Ethan Hawke, son Levon Thurman-Hawke.
Uma Thurman debuted her baby boy, son Levon Thurman-Hawke, during an outing in New York City on Jan. 29, 2002. He'd arrived just two weeks earlier.
Uma Thurman starred alongside Juliette Lewis in the 2002 made-for-TV movie "Hysterical Blindness." She earned Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for her performance in the HBO film, which she also executive produced.
Uma Thurman posed with her award for best actress in a miniseries or made-for-TV movie for her work in "Hysterical Blindness" during the 60th Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills on Jan. 19, 2003.
Uma Thurman delivered one of the most iconic performances in Hollywood history when she headlined 2003's "Kill Bill: Volume 1." She earned Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations for her performance in the Quentin Tarantino-directed action flick, and after she starred in the 2004 sequel, she scored yet another Golden Globe nomination — her fourth.
Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke were snapped taking their kids — daughter Maya and son Levon — trick-or-treating on Halloween in 2003, the same year they separated. Two years later, the duo finalized their divorce.
Uma Thurman linked up with her youngest brother, Mipam Thurman, who's now a realtor, at the Tibet House benefit auction at Christie's in New York City on Nov. 19, 2003. Their father, Robert Thurman, co-founded the cultural preservation and education nonprofit.
Uma Thurman cuddled up to then-boyfriend Andre Balazs at the 10th anniversary of Bar d'O in New York City on Feb. 10, 2004. The duo started seeing each other in late 2003 — following her split from Ethan Hawke — and were off and on through early 2007.
Uma Thurman reunited with one of her two younger brothers, actor Dechen Thurman, at the opening of the Jivamukti Yoga Centre in New York City on May 17, 2006.
Uma Thurman and then-boyfriend Arpad Busson made their red carpet debut at the Happy Hearts Fund's Heart of Gold Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Oct. 10, 2007. Less than a year later, they announced their engagement.
Uma Thurman and President Bill Clinton have crossed paths many times over the years: They shared a warm greeting at the Women For Women International Gala at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City on Nov. 17, 2011. The actress later made financial contributions to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Uma Thurman made her first major foray into television when she portrayed Rebecca Duvall — an actress starring as Marilyn Monroe in a musical based on the iconic star's life — on the first season of "Smash" in 2012. She scored her first and only Emmy nomination for her efforts.
Uma Thurman tried to keep her baby bump under wraps while pregnant with her third child — daughter Luna with then-fiancé Arpad Busson — during an outing in New York City on May 22, 2012. Her baby girl arrived two months later on July 15.
Arpad Busson pecked then-fiancée Uma Thurman on the cheek at the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" press night at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on June 25, 2013. The off-and-on duo of several years, who briefly split in 2009, called it quits for good in early 2014.
Uma Thurman cozied up to longtime friend and collaborator Quentin Tarantino at the 67th Cannes Film Festival premiere of "Clouds of Sils Maria" on May 23, 2014. At the time, there were rumors that the duo were more than friends, which the actress — who'd just split from Arpad Busson for good — denied during an interview with Vs. Magazine that year: "I was discussing [the rumors] with Mr. Tarantino last night. He was angry at me for not calling him back because, as he said, 'According to the papers we are practically married!' and he laughed hysterically. So our relationship is pretty much what it's always been; people are just having fun with it," she said.
Uma Thurman helped her 2-year-old daughter, Luna Thurman-Busson, climb out of a boat during the 71st Venice International Film Festival in Italy on Sept. 2, 2014.
Uma Thurman reunited with her parents — mom Nena von Schlebrügge and dad Robert Thurman — at the 13th Tibet House benefit auction in New York City on Dec. 3, 2015.
Uma Thurman made her Broadway debut in "The Parisian Woman" in late 2017. She and co-stars Blair Brown, Josh Lucas, Phillipa Soo and Marton Csokas were photographed during the curtain call on opening night at the Hudson Theatre in New York City on Nov. 30, 2017.
On July 15, 2018 — a year after their extremely nasty custody battle over their daughter, Luna, finally came to an end — Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson reunited with their little girl at the Qatar Airways New York City E-Prix. They were joined by the actress's son, Levon Thurman-Hawke. (At the height of their custody drama, Arpad accused Uma of mixing prescription pills with alcohol, while she alleged that he had an addiction to prostitutes.)
Uma Thurman and her daughter, Maya Hawke, sat in the front row with Amber Heard during the Giorgio Armani Privé presentation at Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 22, 2019. Less than six months later, Maya — who's following in her famous folks' footsteps — made her major breakthrough as an actress when the third season of "Stranger Things" debuted on Netflix on July 4. Also in July 2019, "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood" debuted — Maya has a small role in the film directed by her mom's longtime friend and collaborator Quentin Tarantino.
All grown up! Uma Thurman's son, Levon Thurman-Hawke, joined her at the Dior Haute Couture presentation during Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 20, 2020 — five days after he turned 18.
Uma Thurman dazzled at the Hollywood for the Global Ocean Gala in Los Angeles on Feb. 6, 2020. The following month, Deadline broke the news that the actress signed on to headline the AppleTV+ series "Suspicion," a "high-paced thriller about the kidnapping of the son of a prominent American businesswoman." It'll be her first big project after turning fabulously 50!
