Natasha Henstridge
{{short description|Canadian actress (born 1974)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Natasha Henstridge
| image = Natasha Henstridge in March 2012 crop.jpg
| caption = Henstridge at Canadian Film Centre in March 2012
| birth_name = Natasha Tonya Henstridge
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|8|15}}
| birth_place = Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1989–present
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Damian Chapa|1995|1996|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Darius Campbell|2011|2018|end=divorced}}}}
| partner = Liam Waite (1996–2004)
| children = 2
}}
Natasha Tonya Henstridge (born August 15, 1974) is a Canadian actress. In 1995, she rose to prominence with her debut role in the science-fiction horror film Species, followed by performances in Species II and Species III. She has since starred in a string of films and television series, including Maximum Risk (1996), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), Ghosts of Mars (2001), She Spies (2002–2004), Eli Stone (2008–2009), and Would Be Kings (2008). For the latter, she won the Gemini Award for Best Actress.{{Cite news|title=Natasha Henstridge - CBC Media Centre|language=en|url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/bio/natasha-henstridge|access-date=May 16, 2021}} From 2019 until 2022, she starred in the CBC Television series Diggstown.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=July 18, 2018|title=Natasha Henstridge Joins CBC Drama Series 'Diggstown'|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/natasha-henstridge-cbc-series-diggstown-vinessa-antoine-floyd-kane-1202428241/|access-date=May 16, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}
Early life
Henstridge was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador, on August 15, 1974, to Helen Henstridge, a homemaker, and Brian Henstridge, a construction manager and business owner.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newfoundlandersabroad.com/profiles.asp?profile=nhenstridge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908184311/http://www.newfoundlandersabroad.com/profiles.asp?profile=nhenstridge|url-status=dead|title=Newfoundlander Abroad Tana Adams catches up with actress Natasha Henstridge in Fort McMurray|archive-date=September 8, 2007}} She was raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta, with her younger brother, Shane.[http://www.filmreference.com/film/39/Natasha-Henstridge.html "Natasha Henstridge Biography (1974–)"]. Film Reference.
At age 14, Henstridge entered the Casablanca Modeling Agency's Look of the Year contest and was chosen first runner-up. The following year, she went to Paris to pursue her modeling ambitions. At age 15, she was featured on her first magazine cover, the French edition of Cosmopolitan. Several more magazine covers followed and Henstridge went on to do television commercials for products such as Olay, Old Spice, and Lady Stetson. With her modeling career established, Henstridge started doing commercials and decided she preferred acting. One of her first roles was as Foxy Fox in the Missoula Children's Theater production of Snow White and the seven Dwarfs staged in Fort McMurray.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.littlegiger.com/articles/files/FemmeFatales_4_8.pdf|title=Natasha Henstridge – Species' Sexy Seductress|magazine=Femme Fatales|author=Scapperotti, Dan|date=June 1996|volume=4|issue=8|access-date=January 27, 2018}}
Career
=Film=
In her film debut Species (1995), Henstridge played Sil, a genetically engineered alien/human hybrid created from a message received by SETI, who breaks free from the captivity of a laboratory. Pursued by a team of experts who band together to stop her, she embarks on a killing spree while also discovering her powerful instinct to mate, which would result in her offspring being a threat to mankind. Species was an instant hit, making US$113 million at the box office.[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=species.htm "Species (1995)"]. boxofficemojo.com. Notable for its sexual content, the film won Henstridge the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss for a scene in which her character, while kissing an abusive date, impales his head with her tongue. In 1998, she played Eve, a more ambiguous genetic duplicate of Sil, in Species II, which was a failure at the box office. Between Species films, Henstridge starred in two action films in 1996, Adrenalin: Fear the Rush with Christopher Lambert and Maximum Risk opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme.
A few smaller independent movies followed, including Bela Donna and Dog Park, with varied box-office returns. Henstridge starred in the film The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards (2004). Despite having some reservations about the science-fiction genre, she signed up for John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001) in the lead role of Lieutenant Melanie Ballard. The film was not well received, with a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john_carpenters_ghosts_of_mars "Ghosts of Mars"]. rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 6, 2011. In 2004, she briefly appeared as Eve in Species III.
In 2007, Henstridge was a festival judge at the first annual Noor Iranian Film Festival.
=Television=
Henstridge has played a number of roles on television, for example in Caracara and The Outer Limits. From 2005 to 2006, she had a recurring role as the speaker's chief of staff on the ABC drama Commander in Chief, which starred Geena Davis as a fictional female U.S. president. She also hosted Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed on TLC, a show about urban legends. She guest-starred as a substitute teacher in the first-season South Park episode "Tom's Rhinoplasty", and was credited as "the chick from Species".
Henstridge was working on the television series She Spies, prior to its cancellation. She has also completed a television movie for the Lifetime channel titled Widow on the Hill. In 2006, she filmed the CTV original miniseries Would Be Kings in Hamilton, Ontario,{{Cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20060919/ctv_release_20060919_kings/20060919|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208232047/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20060919/ctv_release_20060919_kings/20060919|url-status=dead|title=Corruption Tears a Police Family Apart as Production Begins on Gripping CTV Original Mini-Series Would Be Kings|archive-date=February 8, 2007}} for which she won a Gemini Award.{{cite web|url=http://academy.ca/hist/history.cfm?categid=9502&shownum=23&winonly=0&awards=2&rtype=5&curstep=4|title=23rd Annual Gemini Awards}} She also starred in the expansion set to the video game Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, entitled Kane's Wrath.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ea.com/article.jsp?id=cnccast1030|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105192656/http://www.ea.com/article.jsp?id=cnccast1030|url-status=dead|title=EA – Action, Fantasy, Sports, and Strategy Videogames|archive-date=November 5, 2007}}
In 2008, Henstridge played a role on the ABC comedy-drama series Eli Stone. She has also been involved with two other productions, joining the cast of Dave Rodriguez's Anytown, an indie drama that examines a racist high-school attack and its aftermath. She has also been involved with the production of Should've Been Romeo from American Independent Pictures.
In 2009, Henstridge did a guest spot on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. During this, she demonstrated a Newfoundland custom called "screeching in", which involved getting O'Brien to drink Newfoundland Screech rum and kiss a large fish.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3bD7427Nqc "Conan O'Brien Screeched In"]. youtube.com. November 16, 2009.
In 2011, she appeared on the season-9 finale and season-10 premiere of CSI: Miami as Renee Locklear. She then starred in the CW television series The Secret Circle as Dawn Chamberlain.
From 2019 to 2022, she starred in the CBC Television/BET+ drama series Diggstown.
Personal life
Henstridge married American actor Damian Chapa in 1995; they divorced in 1996.
She dated American actor Liam Waite from 1996 to 2004; they have two sons together.{{cite web|last=Lipton|first=Michael A.|title=Natasha Henstridge Plays for Laughs on She Spies but Takes Love Seriously |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20137612,00.html|publisher=People|accessdate=May 1, 2013|date=July 29, 2002}}
She began a relationship with Scottish singer Darius Campbell in 2004.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2006/05/12/cavallivodka|title=Loved-Up Stars Toast Cavalli's Romantic Spirit|magazine=Hello!|location=London, England|date=May 12, 2006|access-date=October 24, 2018}} They became engaged, but broke it off in early 2010,{{cite web|first= John |last=Dingwall|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/2010/02/05/popstar-to-operastar-darius-love-split-with-natash-henstridge-was-down-to-distance-86908-22019993/ |title=Popstar to Operastar Darius: Love split with Natasha Henstridge was down to distance |newspaper=The Daily Record |publisher=Reach plc|location=Glasgow, Scotland|date=February 5, 2010 |access-date=April 28, 2010}} then married on Valentine's Day 2011. They filed for divorce in July 2013. The divorce was finalized in February 2018.{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/celebrity/natasha-henstridge-reaches-divorce-settlement-after-four-long-years/wcm/35deee16-06e5-42c9-8b90-2c1623b6bb0d|title=Natasha Henstridge reaches divorce settlement after four long years|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=February 27, 2018|access-date=March 10, 2018}}
In June 2009, Henstridge spoke of her past use of diet pills in combination with extreme diets for weight loss; she said this damaged her metabolism and led to subsequent weight gain.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/bodies/natasha-henstridge-diets-and-pills-damaged-my-body/|title=Natasha Henstridge: Diets and Pills Damaged My Body|website=People}}
In November 2017, during the height of the #MeToo movement, Henstridge joined six other actresses in accusing director Brett Ratner of sexual assault and harassment; she maintains that he forced her to perform oral sex on him in the early 1990s.{{Cite news|first1=Amy|last1=Kaufman|first2=Daniel|last2=Miller|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-brett-ratner-allegations-20171101-htmlstory.html|title=Six women accuse filmmaker Brett Ratner of sexual harassment or misconduct|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}} She also accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/natasha-henstridge-harvey-weinstein-brett-ratner-sexual-harassment/|title=Natasha Henstridge Says Harvey Weinstein Sexually Harassed Her After Brett Ratner Did|first=Jodi|last=Guglielmi|date=November 15, 2017|website=People}}
Filmography
=Film =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1995
|Sil | |
| 1996
|Delon | |
| 1996
|Alex Bartlett | |
| 1998
|Standoff |Mary | |
| 1998
|Eve | |
| 1998
|Donna | |
| 1998
|Lorna | |
| 2000
|Anna Penn | |
| 2000
|data-sort-value="Whole Nine Yards, The" | The Whole Nine Yards |Cynthia Tudeski | |
| 2000
|data-sort-value="Girl, Three Guys, and a Gun, A" | A Girl, Three Guys, and a Gun |5 O'Clock Girl | |
| 2000
|data-sort-value="Better Way to Die, A" | A Better Way to Die |Kelly | |
| 2000
|Mimi Prager | |
| 2000
|Second Skin |Crystal Ball | |
| 2001
|Lt. Melanie Ballard | |
| 2001
|Bonnie Livengood |also known as Chilly Dogs |
| 2002
|Karen | |
| 2004
|data-sort-value="Whole Ten Yards, The" | The Whole Ten Yards |Cynthia Ozeransky | |
| 2008
|Simone Wilkinson | |
| 2009
|Carol Mills |also known as American Bully |
| 2010
|Angela | |
| 2010
|Margaret Lukas | |
| 2013
| Susan Wade | Direct-to-video |
| 2014
|Anatomy of Deception |Det. Alison Briggs | |
| 2014
|data-sort-value="Bronx Bull, The" | The Bronx Bull |Sally | |
| 2014
|Nowhere Safe |Julie Johnson | |
| 2014
|Badge of Honor |Rebecca Miles | |
| 2014
|data-sort-value="Christmas Gamble, The" | The Christmas Gamble |Susan Wells | |
| 2016
|Chloe |Direct-to-video |
| 2016
|data-sort-value="Bronx Bull, The" | The Bronx Bull |Sally Carlton | |
| 2016
|Inconceivable |Valerie |also known as Deadly Ex |
| 2017
|data-sort-value="Black Room, The" | The Black Room |Jennifer | |
| 2019
|House Red |Mary | |
| 2021
|data-sort-value="Unhealer, The" | The Unhealer |Bernice Mason | |
| 2021
|Night of the Sicario |Taylor Ward |also known as Blindsided |
| 2021
|Hero Dog: The Journey Home |Susan Wade | |
| 2021
|Mrs. Wallendorf | |
| 2021
|Why? |Nina | |
| 2022
|7th Secret |Olivia Divine | |
| 2024
|Cinderella's Revenge |Fairy Godmother | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1997
|data-sort-value="Outer Limits, The" | The Outer Limits |Emma |Episode: "Bits of Love" |
| 1997
|Zima |Episode: "Happy Happy, Droid Droid, or Amma Sees Red" |
| 1998
|Ms. Ellen (voice) |Episode: "Tom's Rhinoplasty" (credited as "The Chick from Species") |
| 1999
|data-sort-value="Last Witness, The" | The Last Witness |Rachel Sutherland |Television film |
| 2000
|TV miniseries |
| 2002
|Power and Beauty |Television film |
| 2002–2004
|Cassie McBain |Main role (40 episodes) |
| 2002–2004
| Mostly True Stories?: Urban Legends Revealed | Herself/host | Documentary television series |
| 2004
|Eve |Television film |
| 2005
|Widow on the Hill |Linda Dupree Cavanaugh |Television film |
| 2005–2006
|Jayne Murray |Recurring role (16 episodes) |
| 2007
|Nicolette Ross |Episode: "Fall from Grace" |
| 2008
| |TV Mini-Series (2 episodes) |
| 2008–2009
|Taylor Wethersby |Main role (26 episodes) |
| 2009
|Dr. Maddie Rhodes |TV miniseries |
| 2009–2010
|Time Jumper |Charity Vyle (voice) |Main role (10 episodes) |
| 2010
|Lisa Rayborn |Television film |
| 2010
|data-sort-value="Devil's Teardrop, The" | The Devil's Teardrop |Margaret Lukas |Television film |
| 2010
|Claire Harrison |Episodes: "Bad Girls", "Freeze the Day" |
| 2011
|data-sort-value="Perfect Student, The" | The Perfect Student |Nicole Johnson |Television film |
| 2011
|Agent Renee Locklear |Episodes: "Mayday", "Countermeasures" |
| 2011–2012
|data-sort-value="Secret Circle, The" | The Secret Circle |Dawn Chamberlain |Main role (21 episodes) |
| 2012
|data-sort-value="Christmas Song, A" | A Christmas Song |Diana |Television film |
| 2013
|Cold Spring |Sara |Television film |
| 2013
|Against the Wild |Susan Wade |Television film |
| 2013
|data-sort-value="Sister's Nightmare, A" | A Sister's Nightmare |Cassidy Rydert |Television film |
| 2014
|Inspector Valerie O'Brien |Episodes: "Expansion", "Buried", "True Lies" |
| 2014
|Mrs. Saperstein |Episodes: "Pilot", "Never Block Cookies", "- Even Hell Has Two Bars" |
| 2014
|Caroline Porter |Episode: "Ka Makuakane (Family Man)" |
| 2015
|Carol Hall |3 episodes |
| 2016
|Ice Girls |Rose |TV movie |
| 2016
|Summer in the City |Kendall |TV movie |
| 2017
|Medinah |Salma |6 episodes |
| 2019–2022
|Colleen |11 episodes |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{Tcmdb name}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henstridge, Natasha}}
Category:20th-century Canadian actresses
Category:21st-century Canadian actresses
Category:Actresses from Alberta
Category:Actresses from Newfoundland and Labrador
Category:Canadian female models
Category:Canadian film actresses
Category:Canadian Screen Award winning actors
Category:Canadian stage actresses
Category:Canadian television actresses
Category:People from Fort McMurray