The science-fiction horror film Species debuted in 1995, instantly propelling Canadian performer Natasha Henstridge to international recognition. Her portrayal of a genetically engineered hybrid organism helped the production generate US$113 million at the box office, establishing a foundation for an expansive career spanning various television series and independent feature films across the following three decades.
Early Development and Modeling
Born on August 15, 1974, in Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador, Natasha Tonya Henstridge was raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Her early interest in public performance led her to compete in the Casablanca Modeling Agency's Look of the Year contest at age 14, where she placed as first runner-up. By age 15, she moved to Paris, eventually appearing on the cover of the French edition of Cosmopolitan and filming various television advertisements.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Entry into Motion Pictures
After transitioning from modeling to acting, Henstridge secured her debut film role as the alien-human hybrid Sil in Species. This performance earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss. She continued her film career throughout the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in projects such as Maximum Risk alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, The Whole Nine Yards, and its sequel, The Whole Ten Yards. She also portrayed Lieutenant Melanie Ballard in the 2001 film Ghosts of Mars.
Television and Sustained Career
Henstridge maintained a consistent presence on television throughout her career. Her credits include the series She Spies, Commander in Chief, and Eli Stone. She received a Gemini Award for her performance in the 2006 CTV miniseries Would Be Kings, filmed in Hamilton, Ontario. More recently, she starred in the drama series Diggstown from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, she provided work for interactive media, featuring in the expansion for Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars.
Personal Context
The actor has experienced several public marriages, including a brief union with Damian Chapa in the mid-1990s and a marriage to Darius Campbell from 2011 until their divorce was finalized in 2018. She shares two sons with Liam Waite. In 2017, Henstridge publicly detailed allegations of sexual misconduct regarding director Brett Ratner and producer Harvey Weinstein during the height of the #MeToo movement.
Fast facts
- Born: August 15, 1974, Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Citizenship: Canada
- Film Debut: Species (1995)
- Television Awards: Gemini Award for Best Actress
- Major Television Roles: She Spies, Eli Stone, Diggstown
- Video Game Work: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Questions readers ask
What was the result of the film Species at the box office?
The film was a commercial success, earning US$113 million.
For which project did she receive a Gemini Award?
She won the award for her performance in the miniseries Would Be Kings.
Achievements
- Worked as actor, model and film actor
