Unlike many stars with famous parents Kate Hudson hasn't traded on her mother's name to get where she is today. Instead the young actress has carved her career for herself.Born in Los Angeles Kate is the daughter of Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, but was raised by her mother's long term partner Kurt Russell.Hudson graduated from performing arts school Crossroads in 1997 and instead of attending New York University, to which she had been accepted, she followed in her mother's footsteps and pursued an acting career.Her big screen debut came in 1998 when she was cast in Desert Blue which was directed by actor Morgan Freeman.However it wasn't until 2000 that she got her breakthrough role in Ron Howard's Almost Famous.Almost Famous is a semiautobiographical account that tells the story of a teen journalist, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), who goes on the road with an up-and-coming rock band called Stillwater.

Though Miller's mentor, legendary rock critic Lester Bangs (portrayed with humour and heart by Philip Seymour Hoffman), cautions him not to befriend the musicians, Miller takes it a step further and befriends both the band and the Band-Aids--the girls who hang around with the band because they love the music.

Miller is in for a wild ride around the country, to thrilling concerts and debauched backyard parties, living the life many 15-year olds dream about.

He discovers that beneath the glittery facade of rock stardom are sometimes bittersweet life lessons and mild doses of heartbreak.

More impacting are the friendships he finds with his glamorous travel companions.

For her role as groupie Penny Lane Hudson was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, an award many believe she should have won, as well as picking up the Golden Globe for the same category.

Historical romance The Four Feather, starring Heath Ledger and Wes Bentley, followed.

The story is about Harry Feversham (Heath Ledger), admired by comrades as one of the finest British soldiers in his regiment. Passionately devoted to his beautiful bride-to-be, Ethne (Kate Hudson), Harry has a promising future in the military and a happy life ahead of him with the woman he loves.

But when an army of Sudanese rebels attacks a colonial British fortress in Khartoum and his regiment is sent to active duty in North Africa, Harry becomes overwhelmed by self-doubt and uncertainty and resigns his commission as his regiment is being shipped off to war.

Shocked by his son's actions, Harry's father disowns him. Assuming he is afraid, three of Harry's friends, and even Ethne his fiancee, each send him a white feather, a symbol of cowardice, none of them able to understand what Harry has done.

Tormented, isolated and alone in London, Harry learns that his best friend Jack (Wes Bentley) and his former regiment have fallen under brutal attack by rebels.

Instantly, the bond he has with his comrades inspires him to transcend his uncertainty and self-doubt in order to take on the one mission that is stronger than his resolve against war, saving his friends at all costs.

Undertaking the perilous journey into the Sudan alone, he strikes up an alliance with Abou Fatma (Djimon Hounsou), a wise mercenary warrior.

Harry then disguises himself as an Arab and goes behind enemy lines to rescue Jack and the rest of his regiment, in an act of unparalleled self-sacrifice and bravery.

Despite being directed by Shekhar Kapur, who directed Elizabeth, the film was met poorly critically and at the box office.

A career high at the box office came in 2003 when she teamed up with Matthew McConaughey for the first time in How to Lose A Guy in Ten Days.

Anderson (Kate Hudson) decides to spice up her how-to column in Composure Magazine by venturing out into the Manhattan singles market to see if she can make a guy fall for her, and then get him to dump her within 10 days.

Simultaneously, advertising executive Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet with his boss that he can meet a woman and have her fall in love with him within 10 days.

Naturally the two of them come together, and, oblivious to each other's wagers, they quickly bond. But when Andie turns off her charms and turns on the dumping tactics, Benjamin must do all he can not to be repulsed by her so that he can win his side of the bet.

With Andie unable to comprehend why she can't rid herself of her guy, and with Benjamin frustrated at Andie's peculiar behaviour, the two of them begin down the inexorable path toward genuine romance.

Despite being panned by the critics the film went on to gross over £171 million at the global box office, taking a $100 million in the U.S. alone.

More recently Hudson teamed up with Matt Dillon and Owen Wilson for You Me and Dupree and despite a harsh time with the critics this movie also did well at the box office grossing over $130 million.

The actresses latest project has seen her team up with Matthew McConaughey for the second time for Fool's Gold.

Ben 'Finn' Finnegan (McConaughey) is a good natured, surf burn turned treasure hunter who is obsessed with finding the legendary 18th century Queen's Dowry, 40 chests of exotic treasure that was lost at sea in 1715.

In his quest Finn has sunk everything, including his marriage to Tess (Hudson) and his more rust than trusty salvage boast 'Booty Calls'.

Just as Tess is starting to re-build her life, working aboard a mega yacht owned by billionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland), Finn discovers a vital clue to the treasure's whereabouts.

Certain that his luck will change with the newfound information Finn manoeuvres himself aboard Nigel's yacht, using his good natured charm, and convinces the tycoon and his Blackberry wielding, celebutante daughter Gemma to join him in pursuit of the Spanish treasure.

Against Tess' better judgement, the search rekindles her love.. of discovery.

But they are not the only ones after the treasure. Finn's mentor turned nemesis Moe Fitch (Ray Winstone) has also set out to claim the prize.

Despite more criticism from the critics the film has so far grossed just over $81 million.

Fool's Gold is released 18th April.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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