Almost everyone who has spent time with Kate Hudson -including directors, family members, co-stars and interviewers - is quick to comment on her ability to light up a room. Through some combination of a winning smile, solid work ethic, and good old-fashioned talent, the young actress has gone from indie beginner to Vanity Fair cover girl in just three years. What's more, she's done it all without capitalizing on the success of legendary mom, Goldie Hawn. By all accounts, Hudson was a born performer - as a child she danced and sang at every opportunity. Her family hoped that she would attend New York University after graduating from high school, but she opted to get her feet wet in the professional acting world first. She made her big-screen debut as an ambitious young starlet stranded in a tiny California town in Desert Blue (1998). Her next two films, while critically panned, made it into wider release: 200 Cigarettes (1999) (in which she played an earnest but accident-prone ditz) and Gossip (2000/I) (which cast her as a rich, virginal college student). Perhaps Hudson's biggest break was landing the role of rock groupie (or "Band Aide") Penny Lane in Almost Famous (2000). The part was originally intended for Sarah Polley; when Polley backed out to pursue another project, director Cameron Crowe considered scrapping the film altogether. Hudson, who had been cast in a smaller role (as William's stewardess sister), begged for a chance to read for Penny. Crowe was impressed, Hudson got the part, and the show went on. As much as Tinseltown gossipmongers would like to put them at odds, mother and daughter agree that Hawn is one of Hudson's biggest supporters. Kate has never been particularly close to her birth father, musician Bill Hudson; she considers her true "Pa" to be Hawn's longtime partner, Kurt Russell, who has lived with the family since she was three. Her brother, Oliver Hudson, is an actor and aspiring writer-director. Daughter of Bill Hudson and Goldie Hawn. Dated Eli Craig. Raised by Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn's longtime partner. Named one of the '50 Most Beautiful People in the World' by People Magazine. (2000) Turned down the part of Peter Parker's girlfriend Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man (2002) for the role of Ethne Eustace in The Four Feathers (2002). Once said that as children, her brother Oliver used to torment her by nicknaming her "Hammerhead" (as in hammerhead shark). Dated hockey player Eric Lindros. Graduated from Crossroads, a Santa Monica performing arts school, in 1997. Half-sister of Emily Hudson (born 1982) and Zachary Hudson (born 1986). Started production company Cosmic Entertainment in 2003 with Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and her brother. Ranked #99 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. It is her first appearance on the list and she was the youngest person on it that year at the age of 24. Gave birth to her first child with Chris, Ryder Russell Robinson, on January 7, 2004. He weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. Enjoys playing guitar, writing music, and arts & crafts Has a brother; Oliver Hudson, and a step-brother Wyatt Russell. She is also the niece of Brett Hudson and Mark Hudson who, along with her father Bill, were part of the rock group the Hudson Brothers Her son Ryder's middle name, Russell, is an homage to her mother Goldie Hawn's longtime partner Kurt Russell, whom Kate always considered to be her father. When she was 11, her mother relented and got her an audition for a lead role in a never-produced television show with Howie Mandel. Hudson won the part - but Hawn didn't tell her, turned it down, and kept the secret until she admitted it a year later. She turned down what could have been her big break, a role in Escape from L.A. (1996), because it starred Kurt Russell and "I didn't want to be professionally associated with my dad. I just wanted to see if I could do the audition." She can play guitar and piano. Favorite musicians are the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan Admires Bette Davis Does yoga Dislikes wearing make-up and washes her face with Cetaphil Her wedding ring is white gold. Father Bill Hudson is the son of Sicilian immigrants (who Anglicized their surname); mother Goldie Hawn is half Anglo-Saxon and half Jewish. Kate was raised Jewish and Buddhist - as she describes it - "Jew-Bu" Good friends with Liv Tyler Has 3 dogs: Clara (a Pomeranian), Doctor (an English bulldog), and Bella (a Neapolitan mastiff) Speaks French Buys her clothes from vintage clothing shops and makes her own jewelry Was at the 2004 Jammy Awards in Madison Square Garden. She is a big fan of the hippy/jam scene. Rank #38 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties Cousin of singer Sarah Hudson Shares a birthday with Ashley Judd. Ranked #51 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World" (2002). Is friends with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Her step-mom is actress Cindy Williams. She was married to Bill Hudson, her father, and they had two children together named Zachary and Emily. The two are now divorced. Went to high school with two time NBA All-Star and current Golden State Warrior Baron Davis. Graduated High School with NBA Super Star Baron Davis (Crossroads School, 1997) Hudson lost 60 pounds in the three months after giving birth to her son Ryder for her role in The Skeleton Key. Plays a young rock-star groupie in Almost Famous. Her mother, Goldie Hawn, played a middle-aged former groupie in The Banger Sisters. Her husband, Chris Robinson, is the lead singer of the Black Crowes. Named #47 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)