World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Catherine Zeta-Jones says US move humbled her before big break with Steven Spielberg
Catherine Zeta-Jones says moving to California in the 1990s humbled her after she had become well known in Britain through *The Darling Buds of May*. In Hollywood, casting agents asked whether she had any acting experience, giving her a reality check before she landed a role that helped launch her international career.
Steven Spielberg saw her in the CBS mini-series *Titanic* and encouraged her to audition for *The Mask of Zorro*, which he was producing. She won the part five days after her screen test with Antonio Banderas in Mexico, then began sword-fighting lessons three days later. Zeta-Jones later starred with Sean Connery in *Entrapment* and now leads *Kill Jackie*, where she uses her Swansea accent.
In short
- Moving to California gave Zeta-Jones an ego check.
- Spielberg spotted her in the *Titanic* mini-series.
- *The Mask of Zorro* helped establish her as a star.
Explained simply
Catherine Zeta-Jones is a Welsh actor from Swansea who became widely known in Britain in the early 1990s through the television comedy drama The Darling Buds of May. At the time, a move to California meant trying to establish herself in a much larger American film and television industry.
Steven Spielberg is a film-maker who was producing The Mask of Zorro, an adventure film starring Antonio Banderas. Zeta-Jonesâs route to the role followed an appearance in the television series Titanic, which brought her to Spielbergâs attention.
The film helped introduce her to audiences beyond Britain, and she went on to appear in films including Entrapment with Sean Connery. Her career spans British television and Hollywood films, while her later work has also included roles using her Swansea accent.
Americas Celebrity Entertainment World