Catherine Zeta-Jones Reveals How Starring in Zorro Transformed Her Career—and Why No One Saw It Coming

Ever wonder what it takes for an actress to not just survive — but absolutely thrive — playing fierce, no-nonsense women onscreen? Since the ’90s, Catherine Zeta-Jones has been that powerhouse, wielding swords and sharp lines against some seriously formidable men. But here’s a fun twist: did you know a little-known Titanic TV series caught Steven Spielberg’s eye on a quiet Sunday night, leading to her breakout role in The Mask of Zorro? Talk about a perfect storm of timing and talent! From her humble beginnings as Mariette in The Darling Buds of May to dazzling roles in Chicago and Ocean’s Eleven, Catherine’s journey is packed with surprising turns — not least the fact that her role in Zorro even contributed to her love story with Michael Douglas (who can resist a dashing swordsman, right?). Curious about the moments behind the scenes and how her mother reacted to her casting in Entrapment? Dive into the full story — it’s a whirlwind of grit, glamour, and unexpected romance. LEARN MORE

1 min read

Since the 1990s, Catherine Zeta-Jones has played a bevvy of strong women on screen who hold their own space—weapons and all—against powerful men. For Harper’s Bazaar’s latest installment of the video series Building Character, the Welsh actress looks back at her storied career, beginning with her first-ever television role as Mariette in The Darling Buds of May, a British comedy drama that ran on the ITV Network in England from 1991 to 1993.

It was another small project she embarked upon after moving to America, a Titanic TV series (no, really) that aired on CBS, that would go on to change her life. Apparently Steven Spielberg caught one of those early episodes “on a Sunday night, as if he had nothing else to do in his life,” as she explains it, and was so taken with the young actress he made sure that Martin Campbell, who directed 1998’s The Mask of Zorro, would cast her in his film. Within one week, she was taking riding and fencing lessons in preparation of the movie, which she starred in opposite Antonio Banderas. As if that wasn’t enough, “My husband [Michael Douglas] saw me in it and fell in love with me so…” she laughs. “Who knew Zorro was so important?”

In the full video above, she talks about starring in Zorro and Chicago, finally feeling cool during the filming of Ocean’s Eleven, and how her mother reacted after she was cast in Entrapment.

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