Name: Christina Applegate
Birthdate: November 25, 1971
Birthplace: Hollywood, California
Claim to fame: She gained fame as a child actor, playing the role of Kelly Bundy on the hit Fox sitcom Married…with Children from 1987-1997.
What we can see her in next: She next stars opposite Ed Helms in the comedy film Vacation, which is a reboot of the classic 1980’s John Hughe’s comedy that starred Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo.
Interesting fact: She was at Johnny Depp’s club ‘The Viper Room’ when River Phoenix collapsed on the sidewalk outside. She witnesses Phoenix go into a drug induced seizure.
Best quote: “I started doing radio commercials for Kmart when I was 4. They had to splice all my consonants together because I couldn’t talk very well. But these jobs helped my mother and me put food on the table. It took the two of us working.” — On being raised by a single mother.
Why we love her: Most of us who grew up in the 90’s will remember Applegate as one of the hottest young actresses at the time. She made a name for herself and achieved a serious level of fame when she starred on the hit Fox sitcom Married…with Children as the promiscuous and typical “dumb blonde” role of Kelly Bundy. That’s where the love affair for Applegate began.
She then carried her success on the hit Fox serious with a commercial leading role in the film Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, which was probably the height of her career as a sex symbol. Like every attractive, young actress, they all have their moment to shine and be the centerfold of posters in young boy’s bedrooms and leading ladies in top teen movies. The likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jennifer Love Hewitt were types to follow down a similar path, not so many years later. But for Applegate’s part, there were other notable film roles along the way such as The Big Hit (1998) and The Sweetest Thing (2002). The latter role brought her back on the map as a great comedic actress, which undoubtedly helped lead to her big “breakback” role in the epic Will Ferrell film, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). It’s in that movie where Applegate’s sex appeal and formidable comedic timing was put back on full display and renewed our love and appreciation for the actress.
Applegate has appeared in multiple short-lived television shows over the years, obviously nothing has come close to matching her Married…with Children popularity, though. But she still keeps on working and hanging around, with roles in comedies such as Hall Pass (2011) and her reprised role in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, and most recently, the reboot of the classic 1980’s John Hughe’s film, Vacation, which she stars opposite comedy dynamo Ed Helms.
Christina Applegate, for many, will be seen as a blast from the past — a reminder of our teenage years and first memories of Hollywood crushes and infatuations. But at least now we’ll be able to fully appreciate her talents as an actress, particular in the comedy genre.
Applegate’s latest film, Vacation, opens in theatres on July 29.
