10 fun and interesting Elisabeth Shue facts

1. Actress with a Proud Heritage

Elisabeth Shue is a renowned actress, but her family history is just as impressive. Her mother was a direct descendant of William Brewster, the Pilgrim leader who was a key figure in the Mayflower's voyage to the New World in 1620. Brewster was a religious leader and a leader of the separatist movement, and his legacy has been remembered for centuries. Elisabeth Shue is proud to be a part of his legacy, and her mother's heritage is a source of pride for her.

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2. From Royals to Vegas.

Elisabeth Shue made her acting debut in 1982 with the "made-for-television" movie, "The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana". This movie was based on the real-life romance between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and was released shortly before their wedding. Shue played the role of Lady Diana's bridesmaid, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. This was the start of a successful acting career for Shue, who has since gone on to star in numerous films, including the Academy Award-nominated "Leaving Las Vegas" and the blockbuster "Back to the Future Part II".

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3. From College to Acting Career

In 1985, Elisabeth Shue made the bold decision to leave Wellesley College and transfer to Harvard University. Despite being just one semester away from completing her degree, she decided to withdraw and pursue a career in acting instead. This brave move paid off, as Elisabeth went on to become an Academy Award-nominated actress, starring in films such as The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, and Leaving Las Vegas.

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4. Harvard Graduate Returns to Finish Degree

In 2000, Elisabeth Shue achieved a major milestone in her life when she graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. After taking a break from her studies in the early 1990s, Shue returned to Harvard in 1997 and worked hard to complete her degree. Her hard work and dedication paid off, and she was able to proudly accept her diploma three years later.

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5. Early Success in TV Commercials Launched Her Career

Elisabeth Shue began her acting career with a bang, appearing in a number of high-profile television commercials. She was a familiar face in ads for Hellman's Mayonnaise, Burger King, and DeBeers diamonds, among others. Her early success in these commercials helped launch her career and set her on the path to becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

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6. From The Karate Kid to Blockbuster Hits

Elisabeth Shue made her big-screen debut in 1984's iconic martial arts drama, The Karate Kid. She starred alongside Ralph Macchio as his love interest, Ali Mills, and the two had undeniable chemistry onscreen. The movie was a huge success, grossing over $90 million at the box office and becoming a cult classic. It also launched Shue's career, and she has since gone on to star in a number of other films.

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7. An Accomplished Actress

Elisabeth Shue is an accomplished actress who has starred in a variety of projects, including the television series Call to Glory and its movie adaptation. She played the role of Rachel 'Rae' Downey in the series, which aired from 1984 to 1985, and reprised her role in the movie version, released in 1986. Her performance in the series earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.

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8. Elisabeth Shue Makes Broadway Debut

In 1990, Elisabeth Shue made her Broadway debut at the Lincoln Center in the play "Some American Abroad". The play, written by Craig Lucas, was a comedy-drama about a young American couple who travel to Europe and experience a culture shock. Elisabeth's performance was praised by critics, and she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

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9. From Girl-Next-Door to Oscar-Nominated Prostitute

Elisabeth Shue broke out of her girl-next-door typecast in 1995 with her role in the critically acclaimed film, "Leaving Las Vegas". In the movie, she played a prostitute, a role that earned her a Best Actress Academy Award nomination. Her performance was praised by critics and audiences alike, and it marked a turning point in her career, allowing her to take on more diverse and challenging roles.

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10. Tomboy turned producer of "Gracie"

As a teenager, Elisabeth Shue was a true tomboy, being the only girl on her school's boys' soccer team. This experience was the inspiration for the 2007 film "Gracie", which she co-produced with her brothers. The movie follows the story of a young girl who fights to join her school's all-boys soccer team, mirroring Elisabeth's own experience of being the only girl on the team.