Catherine Zeta-Jones spent years trying to escape her past. In 2002, it won her an Oscar
Catherine Zeta-Jones spent years distancing herself from musical theatre to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor, before returning to song and dance as Velma Kelly in the film adaptation of *Chicago*. Her performance brought her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and showed how the skills she had once set aside could become central to her success.
Before *Chicago*, Zeta-Jones had been a tap-dancing champion and appeared in stage musicals, then established herself in films including *The Mask of Zorro* and *Traffic*. She wanted to play Velma, despite Roxie being the larger role; Renée Zellweger was cast as Roxie. Zeta-Jones shaped Velma’s look with a Louise Brooks-inspired bob and injured her Achilles tendon on the first day of filming. She also won a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role.
In short
- Zeta-Jones won an Oscar for playing Velma in *Chicago*.
- She had once set musical theatre aside to pursue dramatic acting.
- Her performance also earned a Bafta and a SAG Award.
Explained simply
Catherine Zeta-Jones began performing in musical theatre as a child and became a tap-dancing champion. As an adult, she took film roles such as The Mask of Zorro and Traffic, while trying to establish herself as a dramatic actor rather than being known mainly for singing and dancing.
Chicago is a film adaptation of a stage musical set in 1920s Chicago. Zeta-Jones played Velma Kelly, a performer whose fame and public image are central to the story; Renée Zellweger played Roxie Hart, the larger role. The film brought Zeta-Jones back to the musical skills she had once tried to leave behind.