Katherine Heigl, 47, Formerly Izzie Stevens From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, Shows How She Looks Today
Katherine Heigl has had a career full of ups and downs, but most fans still remember her as Izzie Stevens from Grey’s Anatomy.
Born in 1978, Heigl got her start in the entertainment world very young. At nine years old, her parents and aunt sent photos of her to a modeling agency, and within weeks she was signed as a child model with Wilhelmina Models. She earned $75 an hour for catalog work with Sears and Lord & Taylor and made her first national TV appearance in a Cheerios commercial.
While modeling, Heigl started acting. She debuted in the 1992 film That Night and went on to appear in movies like King of the Hill and My Father the Hero. She kept balancing school and acting but eventually left New Canaan High School after her sophomore year to focus on her career. She appeared in films such as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory and the Disney TV movie Wish Upon a Star, showing early promise as both a film and television actress.
By the late 1990s, Heigl had turned more to television. She played Isabel Evans on the sci-fi drama Roswell, which gained her recognition among teen audiences. She continued working on small films and TV projects, often appearing in photo features for magazines like Seventeen, Maxim, and FHM.
However, her real breakthrough came in 2005 when she was cast as Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy. The show quickly became a hit, and Heigl’s portrayal of the kind-hearted and ambitious intern made her a household name. She won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2007 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
Grey’s Anatomy opened doors to big-screen roles for Heigl. She starred in romantic comedies like Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, and The Ugly Truth. While Knocked Up gave her widespread attention, her public criticism of the film in Vanity Fair created controversy and affected her Hollywood reputation.
She later explained, “My motive was to encourage other women like myself to not take that element of the movie too seriously, and to remember that it’s a broad comedy. Although I stand behind my opinion, I’m disheartened that it has become the focus of my experience with the movie.” Despite some setbacks, Heigl continued to work in films and television, starring in shows like State of Affairs, Doubt, and Suits, and more recently as executive producer and lead actress in Netflix’s Firefly Lane.
Outside of her career, Heigl has focused on family and charity. She married singer Josh Kelley in 2007, and the couple has three children, including two adopted daughters. She has also been active in animal welfare through Best Friends Animal Society and her own Heigl’s Hounds of Hope foundation. Heigl supports organ donation and adoption advocacy, inspired by personal family experiences.
Katherine Heigl’s journey shows how a single role can define a career. Grey’s Anatomy not only brought her fame but gave her the platform to influence Hollywood and speak up about issues she cares about. While her career faced challenges due to public controversies, she has found new success through executive producing and dramatic roles.
Katherine Heigl’s story is inspiring because it shows the balance of career success and personal values. She has managed to rebuild her reputation while prioritizing her family and causes she believes in. What do you think about her journey? Share your thoughts in the comments.
