In the early 2000s, Katherine Heigl was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses, rising to fame through popular television shows and blockbuster romantic comedies.
The blonde star first gained attention on the sci-fi television series Roswell, before becoming a household name on the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. On the show, she portrayed Dr. Izzie Stevens, a character whose beauty and intelligence earned her the nickname “Dr. Model” among fans.
Following her television success, Heigl transitioned into film and quickly became a leading figure in romantic comedies. One of her most notable roles came in the 2007 comedy Knocked Up, where she starred alongside Seth Rogen as a responsible woman whose life changes after an unexpected pregnancy.
She continued her success with the romantic comedy 27 Dresses, co-starring James Marsden. The film followed a woman who dreams of becoming a bride herself after spending years serving as a bridesmaid for others, and it became one of the most beloved rom-coms of the era.
In 2010, Heigl stepped away from much of Hollywood’s spotlight, choosing a quieter lifestyle in Utah with her husband, musician Josh Kelley, and their children. Though she still works occasionally, her focus shifted largely toward family life.
Over the weekend, the actress made a rare public appearance at the Wine, Women & Shoes charity event benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which was held at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. She attended the event alongside her mother.
Now 47, Heigl’s appearance served as a reminder of the actress who once dominated both television screens and romantic comedy films during the 2000s.
Heigl’s journey into entertainment began long before her major TV roles. Born in Washington, D.C., she spent part of her childhood in Virginia and Denver before her family eventually settled in New Canaan, Connecticut.
At just nine years old, her family submitted her photos to Wilhelmina Models, launching a modeling career that soon placed her in catalog campaigns for retailers like Sears and Lord & Taylor. Her first national television commercial was for Cheerios cereal.
Heigl made her film debut in That Night (1992), later appearing in projects such as My Father the Hero and the action thriller Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, directed by Steven Seagal. She also starred in the Disney television movie Wish Upon a Star before continuing her acting career with roles in films like Bride of Chucky.
Though she stepped away from the constant spotlight, Heigl remains remembered as one of the defining faces of early-2000s television and romantic comedy cinema.#newsafro_
