Diane Kruger is best remembered for her portrayal of Helen in the epic film Troy. A German-born actress who successfully transitioned from European cinema to Hollywood, Diane Kruger became internationally known through her collaborations with prominent directors and leading actors of her generation.

Diane Kruger was born on July 15, 1976, in Algermissen, Germany, as the daughter of Hans-Heinrich Heidkrüger and Maria-Theresa Heidkrüger. Her birth name is Diane Heidkrüger. She grew up with her younger brother Stefan in a middle-class family environment.

Initially aspiring to become a professional ballerina, Diane Kruger moved to London and enrolled at the Royal Ballet School. A serious injury, however, forced her to abandon ballet. She later relocated to Paris, where she learned French and entered the fashion world after competing in the Elite Model Look contest in 1992. Following a successful modeling career, she decided to pursue acting and studied at the Cours Florent drama school.

Diane Kruger made her cinematic breakthrough in 2004 with her role as Helen in Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen. In the film, she starred alongside Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Peter O'Toole, Brian Cox, and Sean Bean. Her performance brought her global recognition and firmly established her presence in Hollywood.

She further expanded her international profile by working with director Quentin Tarantino in the 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, where she portrayed Bridget von Hammersmark, a German actress turned Allied spy. In this production, Diane Kruger shared the screen with Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger, Eli Roth, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film strengthened her reputation as a versatile actress capable of performing in multiple languages.

Throughout her career, Diane Kruger has collaborated with a wide range of notable filmmakers and actors, including Fatih Akin, Wolfgang Petersen, Quentin Tarantino, Nicolas Cage, and Liam Neeson. Her long-running role as Sonya North in the television series The Bridge further increased her international visibility.

In 2017, Diane Kruger achieved critical acclaim for her performance in In the Fade, directed by Fatih Akin. Her portrayal of Katja Sekerci earned her the Best Actress Award at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, marking one of the most significant achievements of her career.

In her personal life, Diane Kruger married actor Guillaume Canet in 2001; the couple divorced in 2006. She later entered a long-term relationship with Canadian-American actor Joshua Jackson, with whom she was frequently featured in international media. In 2013, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and since 2015 she has primarily resided in Paris.

Diane Kruger is widely regarded as an actress who successfully navigated both European arthouse cinema and mainstream Hollywood productions. Through her collaborations with globally recognized directors and actors, multilingual performances, and award-winning roles, she remains one of the most respected European actresses of her generation.

Filmography

Actor
2019 – The Operative (Rachel) – Feature Film
2018 – Welcome to Marwen (Deja Thoris) – Feature Film
2018 – JT LeRoy (Eva) – Feature Film
2017 – In the Fade (Katja Sekerci) – Feature Film
2016 – The Infiltrator (Kathy Ertz) – Feature Film
2015 – Sky (Romy) – Feature Film
2015 – Maryland (Jessie) – Feature Film
2015 – Fathers and Daughters – Feature Film
2013 – The Host – Feature Film
2013 – The Bridge (Sonya North) – TV Series
2012 – Farewell, My Queen (Marie Antoinette) – Feature Film
2011 – Unknown (Gina) – Feature Film
2009 – Inglourious Basterds (Bridget von Hammersmark) – Feature Film
2007 – National Treasure: Book of Secrets (Abigail Chase) – Feature Film
2004 – Troy (Helen) – Feature Film
2004 – Wicker Park – Feature Film
2004 – National Treasure – Feature Film
2003 – Michel Vaillant – Feature Film
2002 – The Piano Player – Feature Film

Source: Biyografiler.com