Born on 1 January 1972, in Hampshire,
England, Catherine McCormack studied at the Oxford
School of Drama. After performing on some stage
and television, she made her film debut in Loaded
(1994), playing a member
of a group of friends who leave for a disastrous
weekend retreat.
After making a memorable performance as Mel Gibson's
destined love in Braveheart (1995),
McCormack became one of the most promising British
young actresses. The huge success of the film led
the way for her leading role in the World War II
drama The Land Girls (1997).
McCormack gained further fame through her leading
role in Dangerous Beauty (1998).
That same year, she also had a leading role alongside
Meryl Streep in Dancing at Lughnasa (1998).
In 1999, McCormack starred in the comedy This Year's
Love, in which she co-starred with Dougray Scott,
Jennifer Ehle, and Ian Hart.
