Olga Kurylenko

Birthday: 14 November 1979, Berdyansk, Zaporozhye Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, USSR [now Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine]

Birth Name: Olga Konstantinovna Kurylenko

Height: 175 cm

Olga Kurylenko, a Ukrainian-born actress and model, went from sharing a cramped flat with her aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousin to starring as a Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig.She was born Olga Konstantinovna Kurylenko on November 14, 1979, in Berdyansk, Ukraine, Soviet Union. Her mother, Marina Alyabysheva, divorced her father, Konstantin Kurylenko, soon after her birth. After the divorce her mother struggled to survive as an art teacher. Young Olga was brought up by her mother and her grandmother, Raisa. During her youth Olga had the humbling experience of living in poverty; she had no choice but to wear rags and had to darn the holes on her sweater. During her years in Ukraine she studied art and languages and spent seven years studying piano at a local school of music in Berdyansk. She also went to a ballet studio until 13.At age 13 Olga and her mother made a trip to Moscow. There she was spotted by an agent, who approached her at a subway station and offered her a job as a model. Initially Olga's mother was suspicious, but she checked the agent's credentials and eventually allowed Olga to accept training as a model in Moscow, which turned out to be a good career choice.By age 16 she was ready for the next step. She moved to Paris, learned French in six months and was signed by the Madison agency. At age 18 she appeared on the cover of Glamour, and in short order graced the covers of Elle, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, and Vogue. She also became the face of Lejaby lingerie, Bebe clothing, Clarins and Helena Rubinstein cosmetic companies.In 1999 Olga married French photographer Cedric Van Mol, but divorced him 3-1/2 years later. One day Olga presented herself to an acting agency. Eventually she swapped the catwalk for the movie screen, and her acting career took off. In 2005 she made her film debut as "Iris", a sensual beauty, in L'annulaire (2005), by director Diane Bertrand.Olga's cinematic roles have been notably steamy, and her natural beauty and explicit nudity attracted the attention of the male audiences. She appeared opposite Elijah Wood in Paris, je t'aime (2006) and as "Sofia" in Le serpent (2006), then co-starred as Russian beauty "Nika Boronina" opposite Timothy Olyphant in Hitman (2007). She also appeared as "Mina Harud" in the indie surveillance-thriller Tyranny (2008). On Christmas Eve 2007, Olga was offered to play what will become her biggest hit: co-starring as "Camille", the Bond girl, opposite Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace (2008), a sequel to Casino Royale (2006).With the international success as Bond Girl, Olga also made appearances on various TV productions in Russia and Ukraine. In 2012, Olga Kurylenko was cast as Julia, supporting role in the Sci-Fi adventure Oblivion (2013) opposite Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman. Hide

To be a Bond girl you need courage, charm, determination and feistiness. To be a Bond girl you need courage, charm, determination and feistiness.

On a Terrence Malick set, your thoughts are his voice. You think you're thinking, but actually he's Show more On a Terrence Malick set, your thoughts are his voice. You think you're thinking, but actually he's thinking for you. He speaks to you, and he's the voice in your mind. Hide

Having people I love around me--friends and family--is great, but I don't necessarily need a relatio Show more Having people I love around me--friends and family--is great, but I don't necessarily need a relationship. Hide

I've loved men that wear un-ironed clothes, it doesn't make me fall out of love. When you love someo Show more I've loved men that wear un-ironed clothes, it doesn't make me fall out of love. When you love someone, you should see beyond their image. It just makes me want to iron their shirt. But once you love a person, they could wear a garbage bag! Hide

I maybe missed money in my childhood, but I didn't miss love, that's for sure. My dad wasn't there, Show more I maybe missed money in my childhood, but I didn't miss love, that's for sure. My dad wasn't there, but I can tell you not even once did I think I was missing something. Hide

I've always had a way with a gun. As a kid, I loved to fire them at the shooting range in amusement Show more I've always had a way with a gun. As a kid, I loved to fire them at the shooting range in amusement parks. I'd always return home with a handful of prizes. Hide

You know it's harder to be a girl in this world because we're the weaker sex. You know it's harder to be a girl in this world because we're the weaker sex.

Every one of us, no matter how damaged or abnormal or shut down, we're all looking for love. Every p Show more Every one of us, no matter how damaged or abnormal or shut down, we're all looking for love. Every person needs love in this world, but our views on what love is vary enormously. Hide

Every actor has to move in a Terrence Malick film--that's the requirement. If you stop, he'll tell y Show more Every actor has to move in a Terrence Malick film--that's the requirement. If you stop, he'll tell you, "No, no, keep moving". You can't be static. It's a choreography. Hide

When I was a kid, we never had a video game in my house. But my cousin did, and each time I went to Show more When I was a kid, we never had a video game in my house. But my cousin did, and each time I went to her house I was able to play "Tetris" and "Mario" Those were the only two games I played as a child. Hide

If a man can make me laugh and stimulate me intellectually, then I wouldn't mind if he was 4 ft. 8 i Show more If a man can make me laugh and stimulate me intellectually, then I wouldn't mind if he was 4 ft. 8 in. with a huge belly. The only thing that would put me off is bad breath--but even that can be fixed. A bad personality isn't so easy to fix. Hide

If I hadn't been a model, I couldn't have become a movie actress. If I hadn't been a model, I couldn't have become a movie actress.

I'm a bit of a romantic. In theory! I'm a bit of a romantic. In theory!

When you're never home and traveling, you don't play video games. When you're never home and traveling, you don't play video games.

We were born and we die. In between, I think we try to live as best we can. We were born and we die. In between, I think we try to live as best we can.

I believe in miracles. At the age of 13, I was on holiday in Moscow with my mother. It was the only Show more I believe in miracles. At the age of 13, I was on holiday in Moscow with my mother. It was the only trip I took in my whole childhood. We stepped off a metro train and were approached by a talent scout who told me that she wanted to sign me to her modeling agency. Hide

Music evokes so many feelings in us, memories, nostalgia, things that are connected to our past. Music evokes so many feelings in us, memories, nostalgia, things that are connected to our past.

I don't like the mentality that comes with rich Russian men. Because they have money, they think the Show more I don't like the mentality that comes with rich Russian men. Because they have money, they think they can buy a woman - and they do. They can't just meet a woman and fall in love. And it's women's fault because they allow it. Hide

My life is not that glamorous. I actually live a pretty simple life, really. I just work. I don't ha Show more My life is not that glamorous. I actually live a pretty simple life, really. I just work. I don't have time to do all these glamorous things. I just do my thing, just work. Hide

With modeling, you provide an image that is fake; with acting you have to provide an image that's re Show more With modeling, you provide an image that is fake; with acting you have to provide an image that's real. Hide

I just went to an acting agency one day and said, "I would like to act. Would you take me?". And the Show more I just went to an acting agency one day and said, "I would like to act. Would you take me?". And they took me. Hide

If you do these big blockbusters, suddenly people know who you are. That's how it works. It's the in Show more If you do these big blockbusters, suddenly people know who you are. That's how it works. It's the industry. You have to do that. That's what people watch. Hide

In Paris, everybody is in black! But you know, in Ukraine everyone wears bright colors. In Paris, everybody is in black! But you know, in Ukraine everyone wears bright colors.

I love boats. I can be on a boat for days. I love boats. I can be on a boat for days.

I looked for acting classes in Paris just to do something different than modeling. And then one day Show more I looked for acting classes in Paris just to do something different than modeling. And then one day I just thought, "Okay, that's enough, I have to start doing something". I went to the acting agency and I just told them I wanted to act and asked them if they would give me a chance, and they did. Hide

I just love France, I love French people, I love the French language, I love French food. I love the Show more I just love France, I love French people, I love the French language, I love French food. I love their mentality. I just feel like it's me. I'm very French. Hide

What I love about sci-fi is that every generation's films are based on what we know at that point in Show more What I love about sci-fi is that every generation's films are based on what we know at that point in time. We make movies about the future but it's always based on what we have. Then as science grows and we discover new things, so do our ideas. You know? Hide

I love fire. As a child I loved setting light to things. I'd always be in the forest putting matches Show more I love fire. As a child I loved setting light to things. I'd always be in the forest putting matches to pieces of wood. I've always regarded fire as my friend. Hide

When you love someone, you should see beyond their image. When you love someone, you should see beyond their image.

As an actor, you don't want to play a one-dimensional character. As an actor, you don't want to play a one-dimensional character.

I don't see divorce as a failure. I see it as the end to a story. In a story, everything has an end Show more I don't see divorce as a failure. I see it as the end to a story. In a story, everything has an end and a beginning. Hide

I love it when a man cooks; it's one of those points that makes me adore a guy. I think it's so roma Show more I love it when a man cooks; it's one of those points that makes me adore a guy. I think it's so romantic and I feel cared for when a man cooks. As long as it's good. I wouldn't let a man cook cabbage, though, because I'm pretty sure men can't cook cabbage. Hide

Why marry? If you're not married, you just leave each other and it's cool. Who needs the paper? To m Show more Why marry? If you're not married, you just leave each other and it's cool. Who needs the paper? To me it means nothing. Hide

You don't dream about things that are impossible; that are out of your range. You don't dream about things that are impossible; that are out of your range.

I like men who paint or write or do something creative. I like men who paint or write or do something creative.

I think I'll be single my whole life. It's entirely possible I'm going to end up alone. Because I do Show more I think I'll be single my whole life. It's entirely possible I'm going to end up alone. Because I don't want to make any sacrifices for my own development and achieving what I want to achieve, and I don't want a family to get in the way of that. Hide

I know how addictive video games are--I have friends who can't get up off the couch because they're Show more I know how addictive video games are--I have friends who can't get up off the couch because they're so hooked. They provide these different virtual worlds that you can live in. Hide

I'd love to work with David Lynch. I'm such a big fan. He's a genius. I'd love to work with David Lynch. I'm such a big fan. He's a genius.

A Bond girl must be a strong and independent woman, but at the same time charming and sensual. Those Show more A Bond girl must be a strong and independent woman, but at the same time charming and sensual. Those opposite qualities combined together make her interesting. She must be strong but at the same time feminine. Hide

All I want to do is a rom-com, but you know, people see me as an action person because the first mov Show more All I want to do is a rom-com, but you know, people see me as an action person because the first movie that was seen by a lot of the public would be Hitman (2007). Hide

When you live in a small town in the Ukraine, you definitely want to go to Paris. When you live in a small town in the Ukraine, you definitely want to go to Paris.

Eventually there are going to be chips in brains. Imagine if you could just buy knowledge and downlo Show more Eventually there are going to be chips in brains. Imagine if you could just buy knowledge and download it into your head instead of having to learn it. Like in The Matrix (1999). Imagine all the years saved! Hide

Being single is only sad if you have a problem with your own company. I'm content with mine. Being single is only sad if you have a problem with your own company. I'm content with mine.

When I earned my first money, I went to a shop and bought jeans and a top. But then I wore them both Show more When I earned my first money, I went to a shop and bought jeans and a top. But then I wore them both for such a long time that finally my model agency said, "You should buy something else!". I was saving the money because it was the first time I'd ever had any. Hide

To tell you the truth, I don't really follow what men wear. Men's fashion is much simpler than women Show more To tell you the truth, I don't really follow what men wear. Men's fashion is much simpler than women's. It doesn't change as much. Hide

I've seen guys sit the whole day doing nothing, and I hate it when people are unproductive. I don't Show more I've seen guys sit the whole day doing nothing, and I hate it when people are unproductive. I don't like a guy who sits on the couch all day. Hide

Hollywood always represents this big dream and fairy tale in people's minds, but to me, it's just ha Show more Hollywood always represents this big dream and fairy tale in people's minds, but to me, it's just hard work. Of course, we play fairy tale on the red carpet. It's all Cinderella. But when the clock strikes midnight, I turn into a gray mouse and I go home, and I take my dress off and it's over. That's Hollywood. Hide

With modeling, you go somewhere for 24 hours and you don't even see the city, you don't talk to peop Show more With modeling, you go somewhere for 24 hours and you don't even see the city, you don't talk to people or see the culture. Hide

I always listen to all kinds of different music from different years. I listen to the contemporary, Show more I always listen to all kinds of different music from different years. I listen to the contemporary, but once in a while into '80s, you know, just for fun, and sometimes classical, too. So I have this big mix on my iPod . . . Amy Winehouse, Gwen Stefani, Outkast, Jay Z. I listen to trance, pop, everything. It really depends on my mood. Hide

I bring spiritual books with me while travelling. I like books about thoughts and how you see the wo Show more I bring spiritual books with me while travelling. I like books about thoughts and how you see the world. Hide

A lot of movies are made to make us dream. A lot of movies are made to make us dream.

I hate jealousy, I hate possessiveness. I'm nobody's possession. I hate jealousy, I hate possessiveness. I'm nobody's possession.

I grew up in the Ukraine and then I went to Paris in 1996. I went there because there was a modeling Show more I grew up in the Ukraine and then I went to Paris in 1996. I went there because there was a modeling agency that invited me there to work, so I thought, "Sure". Hide

I did not have a father. It was my mom who chose to be alone. She felt that she would be better off Show more I did not have a father. It was my mom who chose to be alone. She felt that she would be better off by herself with me after I was born. Hide

Olga Kurylenko's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (72)

The Graham Norton Show - Season 24

Les traducteurs

Extraction 2

Ant and Decs Saturday Night Takeaway - Season 1

The November Man

The Graham Norton Show - Season 1

A Breath Away (Dans la brume)

The Graham Norton Show - Season 31

Quantum Of Solace (james Bond 007)

The Jonathan Ross Show - Season 17