Biography for
Phoebe Cates More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

16 July 1963, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name

Phoebe Belle Cates

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Phoebe Cates attended Professional Children's School in New York City and made her motion picture debut as Jennifer Jason Leigh's "experienced" confidante in Amy Heckerling's acclaimed Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Cates then landed the role of Christine Ramsey in Private School (1983), then co-starred in the innovative_Gremlins (1984)_ for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment directed by Joe Dante. Cates has remained active in theatre as well. After making her New York debut in Joseph Papp's Off-Broadway production of "The Nest of the Wood Grouse" in 1984, she followed with David Hwang's "Rich Relations" at The Second Stage and a one-act festival at the Manhattan Punchline. On the West Coast, Cates played Nina in the La Jolla Playhouse production of Anton Chekhov's "The Sea Gull," and has since appeared in "Much Ado About Nothing" at New York's Public Theatre, and as Juliet in Chicago's Goodman Theatre production of "Romeo and Juliet".

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Kevin Kline

(5 March 1989 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Daughter of producer/director Joseph Cates.

Niece of producer/director Gilbert Cates.

Godmother was Jacqueline Susann.

Cates was originally going to play the role of Annie Banks in the remake of Father of the Bride (1991) but became pregnant so she had to drop out. The role then went to Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

In the movie Private School (1983), Cates sings two of the soundtrack songs: "Just One Touch" and "How Do I Let You Know".

The punk band "Fenix TX" wrote a song about her entitled "Phoebe Cates".

Has an older sister, Valerie Cates, and a younger sister, Alexandra Cates.

Before turning to acting, she worked as a teen model in the pages of "Seventeen", etc.

Since her 'retirement' from films, she and her movie star husband, Kevin Kline, divide their time between their country estate in upstate New York and their luxury penthouse in Manhattan's tony upper east side. When not supporting her husband's continuing fine stage and film work, she fills her time attending openings and benefits and her favorite activity, hosting dinner parties and 'dishing the dirt' with her celebrity friends.

According to Izumi Matsumoto, the creator of "Kimagure orenji rôdo" (1987) a popular manga series (Japanese comic) and animated TV-series. Ms Cates was the inspiration behind the beautiful character Ayukawa Madoka.

Cates' maternal grandfather was of Chinese Filipino descent, and her father as well as her maternal grandmother were of Russian Jewish origin.

Named on Harper's Bazaar's list of America's 10 Most Beautiful Women [1984]

Sister-in-law of producer Kate Kline May

Her father was of Russian Jewish descent, her mother is of Russian/Chinese descent.

Measurements: 31B-23-33 (as teen model, 1980), 34B-23-34 (during Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).

Has a daughter, Greta Kline (b. 1994), and a son, Owen Kline (b. 1991).

She is good friends with actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, they met while filming Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) together.

Although retired from making films, she has put her son Owen Kline into the movies, often showing up on the set to make sure he is behaving. He has appeared in The Anniversary Party (2001) and as a lead role in The Squid and the Whale (2005).

Met her future husband, Kevin Kline, when she auditioned for the part of Chloe in The Big Chill (1983), that eventually went to Meg Tilly.

Phoebe sings the "theme song" for the movie Paradise (1982), which is heard during the ending credits.

Turned down the roles of Sarah Tobias in The Accused (1988) and Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Cousin of Gil Cates Jr..

Personal Quotes

Young people are more sophisticated today, thanks to magazines and movies and even porno cable television. As a New Yorker I think I've matured faster than other young people. I'm street smart.

Kids today are much more independent than their parents were. We're really into getting jobs and we mature sexually much earlier than a generation ago. Or, at least, we are involved in sex earlier.

"I was only 17 when I did my nude scenes in Paradise (1982). They were serious and more difficult because they were not easily justified. But the topless scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) was funny, which made it easy".

In this business, if a girl wants a career, she has to be willing to strip. If you've got a good bod, then why not show it?

If the film, play or any project I'm involved in requires some sort of violence or nudity to advance the plot, scene or character in any way, then I would be considered unprofessional not to oblige. Of course, I want to make sure -- and I think I always have -- that the scenes are shot in good taste. I try to have some control; now that I know what I'm capable of including in a contract, I can continue that control. Nudity is not something I necessarily want to avoid and yet it's not the most fun thing in the world to do. It's part of the job as far as I'm concerned because you bare yourself emotionally and that's just as terrifying as baring yourself physically. It's all part of acting.

Where Are They Now

(October 2005) Opened the New York City boutique, Blue Tree

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