Happy birthday Nicole Kidman! A look at the star's most memorable roles

Kidman has taken on wide-ranging roles throughout her career.

June 20, 2019, 4:15 AM

Nicole Kidman turns 52 today!

Throughout the Australian starlet's career, she's played several remarkably different roles, showing off her incredible range as an actress.

From her Oscar-winning performance in 2002 drama "The Hours" to her current role as Celeste Wright on the Emmy-winning drama "Big Little Lies," it's clear that Kidman loves to experiment with challenging parts.

For this reason, she's cemented her status as one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.

Check out some of the star's most famous roles.

Days of Thunder - 1990

The actress starred as a neurosurgeon treating an injured race car driver, played by ex-husband Tom Cruise, in this '90s drama.

The film launched Kidman into stardom in the United States, and it was reportedly during this film that her romance with Cruise started.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Days Of Thunder".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Days Of Thunder".
Paramount

To Die For - 1995

This Gus Van Sant-directed film was another one of Kidman's most iconic roles.

She played Suzanne Stone, a crazed weather reporter who went to extreme, deadly measures while seeking fame. She won a Golden Globe for best performance by an actress for the film.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "To Die For".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "To Die For".
Columbia Pictures

The film's star-studded cast also included Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck among others.

Eyes Wide Shut - 1999

Kidman starred alongside Tom Cruise in this erotic Stanley Kubrick-directed film. This was the renowned filmmaker's final project, as he died the year it was released.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Eyes Wide Shut".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Eyes Wide Shut".
Warner Bros.

The Others - 2001

In this psychological horror thriller, Kidman plays a mother who tries to protect her family from invading supernatural forces.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "The Others".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "The Others".
Miramax

The Alejandro Amenábar-directed film reportedly made over $200 million globally.

The Hours - 2002

The actress played Virginia Woolf in this compelling film, which also starred Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore.

Kidman won her first and only Oscar at the 75th Annual Academy Awards in 2003 for her performance in the film.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown as her character in the movie "The Hours".
Nicole Kidman is shown as her character in the movie "The Hours".
Clive Coote/Paramount/Miramax/Kobal/REX Via Shutterstock

The Stepford Wives - 2004

Another notable performance of the star's was the 2004 science-fiction horror comedy "The Stepford Wives."

Kidman's character moves with her family to a suburb in Connecticut and finds that not everything is as perfect as it seems.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "The Stepford Wives".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "The Stepford Wives".
DreamWorks

Australia - 2008

Kidman jumped at the chance to work with director Baz Luhrmann on this film.

"He just called me up and said, 'I'm thinking about this film.' And I'm like, 'I'm in. I'm yours,'" she said about Luhrmann on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," while promoting the film in 2008. "Because I feel also that there are directors that bring out something in you that nobody else brings out."

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Australia."
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Australia."
Bazmark Films Australia

She played Lady Sarah Ashley, a woman who travels through Australia to save her ranch, and Hugh Jackman played Drover, her love interest in the film.

Lion - 2016

This Academy-Award-nominated film showcases one young man's journey to find himself and reunite with his birth mother.

Kidman played the woman who adopted him and was nominated for best supporting actress at the 89th Academy Awards for her performance.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Lion".
Nicole Kidman is shown in a scene from the movie "Lion".
The Weinstein Company

Big Little Lies - 2017

The actress currently stars on the popular television adaptation of author Liane Moriarty's 2014 novel of the same name, with Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman, left, and Meryl Streep in a scene from "Big Little Lies."
Nicole Kidman, left, and Meryl Streep in a scene from "Big Little Lies."
Jennifer Clasen/HBO

She is also an executive producer for the HBO award-winning drama, which is currently in its second season.

Boy Erased - 2018

This heartbreaking story showcases a young man's journey as he is pressured into a gay “conversion therapy” program. Kidman plays his religious mother who tries to fix her mistakes with her son.

PHOTO: Nicole Kidman is shown in this still from the movie "Boy Erased".
Nicole Kidman is shown in this still from the movie "Boy Erased".
Focus Features

"Their relationship, their real-life relationship, is an incredible inspiration for people that have done things to their children -- about how you can heal damage by being accountable," Kidman told Deadline about her character's relationship to her son, played by Lucas Hedges, in the film.