Kate Winslet was the personification of class at the 2009 Academy Awards as she accepted her award for Best Actress for her role in The Reader. But, how did she get started?

Kate Elizabeth Winslet was born into a thespian family, with parents, grandparents, and an uncle all familiar with the stage in England, UK. At age 11, she began studying drama at the Redroofs Theatre School, and landed her first acting job on a television commercial for cereal.

From there, Kate landed a role at age 16 on a children’s science fiction series, and continued to add TV roles to her resume. In the following years, her success in big-screen movies gained her many awards and lead to her career-boosting role in Titanic in 1997. Many movies later and with a few musical credits under her belt, Kate became the youngest actress to ever garner five Oscar nominations at 31 years of age. Her seventh nomination landed her the illustrious Oscar.

Despite the fluctuation between her box office successes and box office flops, Kate Winslet continues to shine. For those cute kids in England, heading to Hollywood is just as much in the stars as for you as for state-side kids!

[Kate Winslet at 2009 Academy Awards Ceremony; Kate Winslet child picture courtesy of Mirror.co.uk]

Which is your favorite Kate Winslet role?

Image Credit: Just Jared

Drew Barrymore is shining in the spotlight for her charitable work, but her star has always shone brightly. While it helps to be born into a Hollywood family, Drew has definitely paved her own path to stardom.

The youngest member of the Barrymore family, Drew made her acting debut at 11 months old. By age five she was starring in Altered States and by age seven she proved that her ability to act was more than just luck with her career-boosting role in E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.

Her star continued to rise as she landed leading lady roles in some hit and miss movies, but her personal life was turbulent as she battled tobacco, drug, and alcohol issues as a child, ending up in rehab at age 13.

By age 20, she and a friend formed a production company called Flower Films, which has seen success with such films as Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, and the latest project He’s Just Not That into You in theatres now.

At age 34, her personal life seems balanced (despite unsuccessful relationships) and her career is still going strong. She has recently added Cover Girl and Gucci spokeswoman/model to her resume. Are you certain your cute kid has star power like Drew? Emulate her career path, though not her personal life, by giving your shining star the guidance Drew never got.

Sound off: Which do you prefer? The crazy-antics Drew or the down-to-earth version she seems to have matured to be?

Jessica Simpson at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards - Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Poor Jessica Simpson just can’t catch a break in the media these days, but it wasn’t always that way. Born in Texas on July 10, 1980, it was during her childhood as a daughter of a youth minister that managed to get her vocal chords noticed. After the independent label she was under went bankrupt, Jessica produced her own independent album in the Christian music circuit, which managed to make its way to the desk of a Columbia Music rep’s desk.

While on tour with boy band 98 Degrees, Jessica found love with Nick Lachey, the two eventually married, and shared their wedding bliss (while it lasted) with the viewing public on their reality television show The Newlyweds. From there, opportunities in television, movies, and music poured in.

Can you imagine what would have become of Jessica’s amazing vocal talents had she let her failed tryout for the Mickey Mouse Club as a tween stop her from rising to fame? Find a niche, just keep trying, and don’t give up. Your cute kid may be the next rising star!

Steve Martin at New York premier of Pink Panther in 2006

Pink Panther 2 just hit theaters, but Steve Martin is no stranger to Hollywood. This comedian turned actor has had a few lucky breaks in life, but you may be able to attribute his success to his strategic employment choices.

Born in Waco, Texas and raised in Garden Grove, California, Steve took his first job as a teen at Disneyland. He started selling guidebooks while he perfected his art as a magician. After a stint at the Disneyland magic shop and his high school graduation, he took small roles in comedies and other productions at the theater inside Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. He attended Long Beach State College and majored in philosophy… a far cry from his current career.

When he transferred to UCLA, he changed his major to theater and began performing at local clubs at night. His big break came when his then-girlfriend helped him land a job as a writer on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, shortly after he dropped out of college all together (a plan I wouldn’t recommend to your children). His career quickly climbed the ladder of success as he wrote for many comedy and variety shows, some of which he also starred in.

Steve has since worn the hat of a song writer and singer, comedian, playwright, author, and actor. Although we cannot dismiss the success of his first full-length feature film The Jerk, of which he both co-wrote and starred in, his career has been filled to the brim with movies both old and new that are instant additions to my own DVD collection.

It looks like it doesn’t necessarily take a school of the arts to get your little star moving in the right direction if you have smarts like Steve Martin. Every job your budding actor or model or playwright takes can make a difference. Stars aren’t only discovered in restaurants!

What is your favorite Steve Martin movie?

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see Jennifer Aniston star in the new move He’s Just Not That Into You. From gossip about her ex Brad to her dating life with John Mayer, Jen manages to make headlines no matter where her life takes her. Now as she’s turning the big 4-0 on February 11^th, it’s the perfect time to take a peek into her childhood years!

Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California in 1969 and even spent time in Greece before relocating to New York City. She quickly acquired the love of acting when she joined the drama club at Rudolf Steiner School at age 11… which was no surprise since Jennifer’s father held roles on daytime dramas.

Soon after graduating from New York’s High School of the Performing Arts, her passion turned to on-stage performances, which turned into her first television appearance on the show Molloy in 1990. Although Jennifer had several television roles, none were as notable as her big break in 1994 on the series Friends as Rachel.

Thanks to her small-screen fame, the beautiful brunette has launched a successful movie career, set hair style trends, and has some very public relationships. Yet, all the while, she still manages to keep her all-American sweetheart persona!

The moral of this story? Get your kids into schools that emphasize the performing arts and you may see their name in lights.

(Photo from the LA Premiere of the “He’s Just Not That Into You” on February 2, 2009. Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com)

Who do you think is the hottest star turning 40 this year?

Even when divorce is amicable, it’s always tough when kids are involved. Recent headlines state that Madonna received permission to take her two sons that she has with Guy Ritchie to New York City until permanent custody arrangements are set. But, did you know that the Big Apple was also the site of the Material Girl’s big break?

Born on August 16, 1958, as Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna was no stranger to stardom during her younger years. After moving to New York to study modern dance, she was a member of pop musical groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, eventually releasing her debut album in 1983. With her three consecutive albums hitting number one on the Billboard 200 chart, you could safely say the 1980s belonged to Madonna.

In 1985, she hit the silver screen, making her acting debut in teen movies A Certain Sacrifice and Vision Quest. She was quick to boost her movie career with her popular role in Desperately Seeking Susan during that same year. Several albums, movies, and controversies later, Madge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008.

It looks like Hollywood isn’t the only launching pad for today’s stars. For you East-Coasters, the way into Tinseltown may be just under your nose!

(Photo: Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1984)

What was your favorite Madonna moment?