Kim Basinger

Kimila Ann Basinger was born on December 8, 1953, in Athens, Georgia, to Don, a jazz musician and loan-company manager, and Ann, a former model, champion swimmer, and water ballet performer (her mother performed in some Esther Williams movies). Kim was extremely shy as a child, so much so that her parents suspected that she was autistic and had her tested for the condition. One thing was for sure: despite her bashfulness, Kim knew she was going to be an actress.

Since performing is in both her parents' genes, this was not too hard to believe. Basinger took diving, dancing and gymnastics lessons in high school. She was 16 when she entered the Athens Junior Miss contest, and won by singing a number from My Fair Lady. She later won the "Junior Miss Georgia" title and moved on to compete in the national Junior Miss pageant held in the Big Apple.

It was in New York that Eileen Ford of the Ford Modeling Agency met Kim and offered her a modeling contract. At first, Basinger refused the offer since she was more passionate about singing and acting, but she eventually returned to New York after changing her mind while in Georgia.

Basinger had to make quite an adjustment when she moved to New York; the different culture and lifestyle of the fast-paced city were intimidating for a small-town girl like her, but that didn't stop her from adapting to her new career. She graced dozens of magazine covers and posed for hundreds of ads throughout the early '70s, and was mostly known as the Breck shampoo girl. Kim also practiced performing by singing at various clubs in New York City, under the stage name "Chelsea."

Kim moved to Los Angeles in 1976, looking for a fresh start and a chance to break into acting. Though her modeling career was successful, she never gave up her dream of becoming an actress.