Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley’s adopted daughter Nancy Leigh made her public debut in photos posted to Katherine Heigl’s animal rescue foundation website a few weeks back. The child model-turned-actress, Katherine may have enjoyed the fast track with the adoption process, but her career took a little more time to build.

Katherine Heigl was born in Washington, D.C, but spent most of her childhood in Connecticut. At age nine, her aunt sent a number of photos of Katherine to modeling agencies and, within weeks, she was signed with Wilhelmina Models as a child model. A magazine ad and a Cheerios cereal commercial marked the start of her career, but her first acting debut was made with the movie That Night.

Katherine continued balancing modeling, acting, and school while attending New Canaan High School, but dropped out her sophomore year to concentrate on her career. Movies like King of the Hill, My Father the Hero, and Under Siege 2: Dark Territory marked her early film projects. After completing high school, Katherine moved to Los Angeles and her mother became her manager.

Although she continued to model, her true rise to fame was marked by her role on the TV series Roswell. She continued to rack up the movie credits, but is now most widely known for her role as Dr. Isobel Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy and her leading role in the film Knocked Up. She continues to bask in the limelight of Hollywood, currently making her one of the hottest stars in the business.

Do you feel that Katherine Heigl’s star status helped her through the international adoption process?

[Childhood photo: JADE ALBERT]

[Family photo: AP Photo/Cheyenne Ellis]

Runway goddess Heidi Klum and husband Seal are expecting the birth of their third child (and her fourth) any day now… and it’s a girl! Despite the fact that this German-born model has a full schedule, including an appearance at last week’s Emmy awards, she still manages to find time for her hubby and children.

Heidi Klum was raised in Bergisch Gladbach, West Germany. At age 18, she entered and won “Model 92,” a modeling contest that earned her a modeling contract by Thomas Zeumer, CEO of Metropolitan Models New York. After graduating from school, she accepted the contract and began pursuing a career in modeling and acting.

Heidi has appeared on the cover of several fashion magazines, but became widely known after landing the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She is also known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but has since broadened her resume to include acting (movies include Ella Enchanted and TV shows include Spin City), TV host (Project Runway has had huge success), businesswoman, fashion designer, TV producer, artist, and has even been known for her vocal talents. She currently is signed to IMG Models in New York City and makes modeling, and motherhood, not only look good, but look easy!

[photo: AP Photo/Evan Agostini]

Who was the hotter – red carpet mommy Heidi Klum or mom-to-be Kourtney Kardashian?

Sixteen-year-old Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen is getting flack from fans for her racy wardrobe choices. But that hasn’t caused her character on the show to make better fashion choices! The TV star’s character continues to avoid age-appropriate clothing!

Before Taylor Momsen was known as Gossip Girl’s Jenny Humphrey, she was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Potomac, Maryland. She made her first acting appearance in a Shake ‘N’ Bake commercial, and began picking up movie roles in films such as The Prophet’s Game and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Grade School, Herbert Hoover Middle School, and Winston Churchill High School. She also took dance lessons at COCA in St. Louis. Even during her career lulls, she still managed to add to her resume by tapping into her vocal talents and cashing in as a teen model with IMG Models.

Although her lead in a TV series never aired, her role as Jenny Humphrey in her current TV gig Gossip Girl has proven to be successful. Taylor also continues to expand the success of her band The Pretty Reckless with Interscope Records. As an actress, singer, and model, she’s sure to find continued success; let’s hope that Taylor’s fashion faux pas are overshadowed by her many talents!

Do you think Hollywood is responsible for making teen actors/actresses grow up too fast?

[photo: okmagazine.com]

If Taylor Swift was stock, you’d want to buy yourself some shares of this hot ticket country singer! This young, NOW star (no thanks to Kanye West, a-hem!) has seemingly launched her mega-career in a few short years, taking her from teen star to Video of the Year recipient at this year’s CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, and the now-infamous Best Female Video VMA.

Taylor was born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, where she proved she wasn’t just another cute kid. In the fourth grade, she won a national poetry contest which inspired her to write songs and singing at Karaoke contests and the like in her hometown.

She then joined Kirk Cremer’s SNL-inspired kid’s sketch comedy group TheatreKids Live!, proving her apparent comedic talent. Her involvement wound up being worth while when her talent scout came in the form of Cremer’s mother, who encouraged her to pursue a country music career rather than theatrical performing. Cremer wasted no time showcasing Taylor’s talent by renting a space at the local mall so Taylor could perform country songs backed by karaoke tracks.

This opportunity was enough to give Taylor the confidence to begin performing at open mike opportunities and karaoke nights, and eventually landed a show at the Bloomsburg Fair, thanks in part to a local performer Pat Garrett.

By 11 years of age, Taylor took a chance and distributed her karaoke song-filled demo tape to every record label on Nashville’s Music Row. But, it was a move that was not positively received (I bet those labels are kicking themselves right now!). Undeterred by the rejection, she accepted an invitation to sing the national anthem at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. It seemed to be the big break she needed.

At only age 12, Taylor began to make regular trips to Nashville to write songs with local writers. By the time she was 15, she rejected a development deal with RCA Records because she wanted to record her own songs. But, when she performed at Nashville’s The Bluebird Café, a talent scout named Scott Borchetta signed her to Big Machine Records. Since then, she launched her first single Tim McGraw at only age 16, broken many billboard and music records and received scores of acclaim. It’s obvious that it takes more than being a cute kid…it takes talent, determination, and guts, all of which Taylor Swift has in spades.

Do you think that fame makes kids, teens, and young adults grow up too fast? Or, should talent encouraged at any age?

Updated 9/15/09

After a long fight with pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze passed away late Monday, September 14th. Fans would agree that his career was one that holds a special place in their hearts, as his role in such movies as “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” encompass  memorable mark-the-time moments for many generations.

Patrick Swayze was born in Houston, Texas, and boasted a robust career as an actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter. His education was earned at local schools such as St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Black Middle School, and Waltrip High School, where he sharpened his skills in such activities as ice skating, classical ballet, and acting. He even studied gymnastics at San Jacinto College. He then moved to New York City to attend Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet schools to complete his formal dance training.

The start of Patrick’s professional career was marked was with his employment as a dancer for Disney on Parade. He also appeared on stage and on television before appearing in any films.

His jump to the big screen came with his role in The Outsiders before appearing in the movie Red Dawn. However, his status as a film actor wasn’t set until his role as dance instructor Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing.

Suddenly typecast as a hunk, Patrick had a hard time finding film success, but made his comeback with the movie Ghost. He even earned the top spot on People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive list in 1991.

An injury while filming put his career on hold for a while, but roles in Waking Up Reno and Donnie Darko helped put Patrick back in the spotlight. He’s since taken to the stage in productions of Guys and Dolls and Chicago, but current projects have been put on hold due to battles with his health.

[Photo: Brecheisen/WireImage]

What Patrick Swayze memory is the most special to you?

Reports of things getting serious between Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez cannot be confirmed, but there’s no question that this blonde beauty has earned respect and paparazzi attention for her acting ability, not just her relationship ups and downs!

Kate Hudson was born in Los Angeles, California, daughter of actress Goldie Hawn. Kate graduated from the performing arts school Crossroads in Santa Monica, CA, but chose not to pursue a degree at New York University where she was accepted.

Kate appeared in small feature films but wanted to make a name for herself outside of her famous parents’ success. It was her first major role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous that did the trick.

Several movie roles in films such as The Four Feathers, Le Divorce, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and You, Me, and Dupree helped prove that she was more than the daughter of an actress and the spitting image of her mother. Now with Alex Rodriguez by her side, she even makes life as a baseball girlfriend look good.

Do you think the fact that Kate Hudson looks so much like her mother Goldie Hawn has helped or hurt Kate’s career?

As news of Charlie Sheen’s sit-down with the President had the Internet all abuzz, he continues to prove that making the cross-over from movies to television can be profitable – and attention-getting! According to the latest TV Guide magazine article Who Makes What, Charlie Sheen makes $875,000 per episode of his sitcom Two and a Half Men, giving him the ranking as one of the top earning actors in television. And it’s a good thing! His adorable daughters (Sam J., 5, and Lola Rose, 4) with ex-wife Denise Richards are sure to cost him a bundle when they grow up, just for bodyguards to keep the boys away! And Charlie and his wife Brooke Mueller recently welcomed twin boys as well!

Charlie Sheen was born Carlos Irwin Estevez in New York City, New York, and is son to Martin Sheen and an artist mother. Although his brother, Emilio Estevez, kept the family name, Charlie Sheen followed in his father’s footsteps adopting his stage name in honor of the Catholic archbishop, Fulton J. Sheen.

Charlie and his family moved to Malibu, California following his father’s Broadway role. His first acting gig was at age nine alongside his father in a TV movie called The Execution of Private Slovik, although his career would not truly begin until after high school. Charlie attended Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California. His athletic talents shone through when he was a star on the school’s baseball team, which would lend him the advantage in future baseball movie roles. However, Charlie was expelled from the school for poor attendance and bad grades.

The true beginning of his career was marked with his role in the movie Red Dawn. He appeared in such movies as Major League, Young Guns, and Men at Work, but has since even written and produced a few pieces of his own. Crossing back into television when he replaced Michael J. Fox on Spin City, he now enjoys his sixth season on Two and a Half Men.

[photo: Angela George]

Actors like Charlie Sheen have been known to choose stage names that differ from their family names. What are your thoughts on your cute kid possibly changing their name for their time in the limelight?

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera is a beauty indeed! Now on her fourth season with the series, this young starlet knew at a young age that acting was for her.

America Ferrera was born in Los Angeles, California, growing up in the Woodland Hills area of the city. At only age seven, she landed her first role in a school production of Hamlet, and began acting in school plays and community theatre. She attended George Ellery Hale Middle School and El Camino Real High School and often took the bus to auditions.

By 2002, America made her TV debut in the Disney Channel movie Gotta Kick It Up! Her feature film debut in Real Women Have Curves put her on the map to stardom, followed by much success with TV and film roles such as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

America’s biggest success thus far is the lead role in Ugly Betty, earning her a spot in the Time Magazine “Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World” list in 2007. She is currently in production on her latest film role.

[photo: Jerry Avenaim]

Do you think characters like America Ferrera’s Ugly Betty have positive or negative effects on the self-esteem of young girls?

Denise Richards is the latest to give support to the reality show parents Jon & Kate and their pending divorce, encouraging them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This former wife of Charlie Sheen knows that divorce is no picnic, but this actress and former fashion model has managed to keep her head up high through what wasn’t the most private of situations.

Denise Richards was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, but graduated from El Camino High School in Oceanside, California. No one could have predicted that this former “tomboy” would become the fashion model and actress that she is today!

Denise made the most of her industry experience to appear in lower-budget films and TV shows until her theatrical debut in Starship Troopers. Her second film, Wild Things, boosted her career in the direction of Hollywood, even landing her the role of Bond Girl in The World is Not Enough. Seemingly comfortable with the sex symbol label, her roles in movies such as Undercover Brother and Scary Movie 3 earned her a spot on Maxim’s 50 Sexiest Women in 1999.

She continues to make appearances on a handful of television series, but most recently focuses on her own reality TV show It’s Complicated.

[photo: Jackson Lee/Splash News Online]

Sound off: Denise Richards’ show It’s Complicated – worth watching or just another mindless reality show?

Jake Gyllenhaal was spotted with Reese Witherspoon, taking her two cute kids Ava and Deacon to the Elton John and Billy Joel concert on August 1, but Jake Gyllenhaal was once a cute kid himself.

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Jake Gyllenhaal was part of a Hollywood family. His film director father and film producer and screenwriter mother often let him audition for parts, but frequently forbade him to take them. Wanting him to learn gratitude for his lifestyle, his parents held his Bar Mitzvah at a homeless shelter, and encouraged him to hold jobs such as a lifeguard and a busboy.

At age 11, Jake made his big screen debut in the movie City Slickers, followed by roles in A Dangerous Woman, Josh and S.A.M., and Homegrown. He graduated from the Westlake School in Los Angeles, but dropped out of Columbia University to concentrate on acting. But, it was his role in Donnie Darko that really launched his career, leading to parts in moves such as The Good Girl, Jarhead, and Brokeback Mountain (which garnered him several nominations and awards).

Jake also tried his hand at theatre, starring in a London production of This is Our Youth before earning a spot on People Magazine’s 2006 50 Most Beautiful People list and Hottest Bachelors of 2006. He continues to make acting so good, that should he and Reese decide to have children together, they would be sure to make it big as child models!

Parent poll: How do you teach your children gratitude for what they have?