She's a dancer, musician, environmentalist, and, of course, the ultimate detective.
Well known as Kate Beckett on ABC's Castle, Stana Katic expertly balances her showbiz
career with real life, about which she's notoriously private.
Let's dish up some things you probably don't know about this stunning TV star!
Jet-set kid
Katic was born to parents from the original Yugoslavia.
They came to North America with very little, and found their way to Hamilton, Ontario,
before officially settling in Chicago, where they established the family furniture business.
Katic described her parents' focus on their children's education, saying, "They got my
five siblings and me educated — piano, ballet, karate — well travelled and excited about
the world."
Acting bug
While some stars find their calling later in life, others seem born for Hollywood.
Along with dancing and playing musical instruments, acting was always in the cards for Katic.
She knew she wanted to be an actress when she was just four years old, telling Female
First, "I remember being actually asked by a family friend of the time, who was suggesting
'doctor, dentist' and I just went 'actress!'"
And she was right.
Big break
Katic may be well known for her role of Detective Beckett on Castle, but the story of how she
landed the part is lesser known.
The actress told The TV Addict about the unusual audition, saying, "I didn't have time to shop
for the right blouse so I just grabbed this blouse that I had and thought I'll make it
work.
When I got to the testing area, they were doing the makeup, hair, fiddling with my clothing
and of course it wasn't working."
Future co-star Nathan Fillion — and a pair of scissors — ended up being a huge help
in the sticky situation.
She said, "He cut my shirt, removed the lower tunic part and it's funny because the producers
kind of walked in on the two of us being co-criminals and I thought that was just a real wonderful
kind of taste of what the camaraderie would be in the future on the show."
Future heroine
When it comes to her acting career, Katic doesn't shy away from the tough roles — she
actually seeks them out, specifically.
Katic told Collider, "I want to do action films.
I want to go and hang off of wires, and jump off of bridges, and hang on bungee chords.
I've always really loved it."
On the heels of Wonder Woman's blockbuster success, Katic looks to serve up that female
superheroism, with her eyes on a variety of possible roles, saying, "There is a big list
of killer chicks that are just rockin'."
Environmentalist
Katic was raised to care about the planet:
"You know, I've been interested in the environment ever since I was little."
Speaking with the Environmental Media Association, of which she's a board member, Katic shared,
"People in my family have always had gardens and fruit trees; a lot of my family had household
livestock.
So, the importance of chemical-free food sources and 'nothing goes to waste' mentality was
something I was raised with.
I suspect caring for the environment was a natural outcropping from that foundation."
And when it comes to the planet, Katic doesn't just talk the talk.
Activist
Katic has taken notable action to preserve the environment.
In 2010, she created the Alternative Travel Project, which encourages people to find different
modes of transportation besides driving their own cars.
"I thought it was really neat that we could do something on a microcosmic level to better
our environment and better our experience in our own city."
As Katic described to People, she found inspiration when she went to Europe and saw that "walking
and cycling to go about your day was more normal than having a car to run chores….[The
Project] makes sense to me.
It is a fun lifestyle choice that has a valuable positive effect on health and the environment."
And as she told Google's Brendon Harrington, she thinks it's about time for this type of
living:
"We're in the 21st century.
This stuff should be kind of like a no-brainer at this point…
It makes spaces safer."
Private party
There's very little privacy for any celeb in the public eye.
But, for Katic, there is one thing she's not sharing, no matter what.
She told Chatelaine, "I love to kiss, but I don't tell...Romance is difficult for some
celebrities.
If the media finds out you're dating Robert Pattinson, you're screwed."
Even though the actress keeps many details of her private life quiet, she did admit,
"I like the concept that if you're with someone, it's for the long term."
Ultimate celebration
Katic put her words into practice, when, in April 2015, she celebrated her birthday by
also getting married to business consultant Kris Brkljac.
As People reported, Katic married her beau "in a private family monastery on the Dalmatian
coast."
Katic and her new hubby dated for quite some time before tying the knot, and since he's
not in the entertainment biz, it might be a little easier for the couple to stay out
of the public eye.
Next up
Katic has become a fan-favorite TV detective thanks to Castle, but what's next for the
actress?
"Anything's possible."
As reported by Deadline in July 2017, Katic will star in the 10-episode series, Absentia,
as an FBI agent who's involved in a series of murders.
The actress will also be showcasing her horror chops in 2018's Cadaver.
Whether Katic is in front of the screen or advocating for the planet, there's no doubt
that we'll be hearing her name for a long time.
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