Famke Janssen, the Dutch actress renowned for her roles in iconic films, recently opened up about her career journey, her views on the entertainment industry, and the complexities surrounding her experiences. Janssen was born in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam. In the late 1980s, she had a successful modeling career before making the jump to acting in the early 1990s. Her contributions have forever altered Hollywood, and she shows no signs of letting up. Her iconic roles in films such as “GoldenEye” and the “X-Men” franchise showcase her talent and range.
It wasn’t until she was 28 that Janssen found her love for acting. Others may have considered that a late onset for a developing artist, but Yasmeen welcomed the pressure. She soon became a household name after portraying the powerful and deadly figure Xenia Onatopp in the 1995 James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” This role introduced a new kind of femme fatale whose lethal charm and strength mesmerized audiences. Janssen acknowledged the character was written with a dark twist: “Xenia was written as a woman who gets off on crushing men to death,” she noted, reflecting on the complexity of her role.
Her time in the film industry has been fraught with obstacles. Janssen attended Columbia University in New York City, where she studied creative writing and literature, with film studies as a minor. This unique academic background has deeply influenced her perspective on acting, directing, and storytelling. Though largely overshadowed by her more famous younger sisters, she is historically regarded as the intellectual powerhouse of their trio. Marjolein and Antoinette Beumer are in the family business. Though her siblings made choices that led them each in unique directions, Janssen forged her own path with commitment, sweat and a drive for achievement.
Beyond her legendary performances, Janssen is a frequent collaborator with director Jon Favreau. They’ve collaborated closely on films such as “Love and Sex” and “Made.” We followed her journey and are inspired by how her versatility as an actress has led her to seamlessly cross genres and mediums, all while staying true to herself. Even as she battled the stereotypes and sexism that run deep in Hollywood, she didn’t retreat from speaking about those challenges publicly.
“People are just largely not aware of the sexism that’s prevailing in our lives,” she commented. “We take things for granted when we shouldn’t.” This passion has led her to seek out positions that align with this awareness and her values, instead of choosing the safe route dictated by the industry.
Janssen’s experience working with influential figures in Hollywood has shaped her views. During her press conference, she admitted to having collaborated with Harvey Weinstein but stressed that she was never a target of his harassment. Clearly, being a model in the late 80s and then an actor in the 90s, I’ve experienced a lot. I’ve witnessed folks to set that sh-t off,” she said, realizing the assembly iteration tradition that allowed her execution to get such behavior far on unscathed.
Her romantic relationship with filmmaker Woody Allen was perhaps an equally complex aspect of her career. She has worked with him, but she is deeply conflicted over the allegations brought against him. Negotiating power dynamics and professional relationships in Hollywood are always tricky and emotionally fraught.
Despite being a very public figure, Janssen refuses to engage on social media, considering it beneath him. “I certainly was not going to do what a lot of the rest of the world and a lot of women seem to be doing, which is photographing themselves half naked on Instagram,” she explained. This decision reflects her absolutely iron will to dictate all aspects of her image. She would much rather pay attention to her craft than get approval by scrolling through her phone.
Looking back on her iconic turn in GoldenEye, Janssen admitted she was reluctant at first to be classified a “Bond girl.” “I was very aware of the pitfalls of being a model-turned-actor-turned-Bond girl,” she remarked. She didn’t like the term—it felt a bit demeaning to her—but she resolved to make the most of the opportunity. “I thought: ‘I have nothing to lose. If I do this, I’m going to go all the way,’” she stated.
Her portrayal of Dr. Jean Grey in the “X-Men” film series further solidified her status as a prominent figure in Hollywood. Starting in 2000, Janssen, who was a real prize to land in the superhero genre for the X-Men, added significant depth to the character. “I brought a lot that was not on the page,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to infusing her characters with authenticity.
Through her activism, Janssen is breaking the mold in Hollywood and fighting for a better future for women everywhere. Her story should be both a warning and an example for young actors and actresses who must travel the same roads.