Olga Kurylenko Bio
Olga Kostyantynivna Kurylenko (born 14 November 1979) is a Ukrainian and French actress and former model. She rose to prominence by playing the Bond girl Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008). Kurylenko began her career modelling in Paris before making a transition to acting. She had her breakthrough role in the action thriller Hitman (2007) after making her film debut in the drama The Ring Finger (2005). Following Quantum of Solace, she went on to star in the romantic drama To the Wonder (2012), the crime comedy Seven Psychopaths (2012), the science fiction film Oblivion (2013), the political satire The Death of Stalin (2017), the comedy The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), the superhero films Black Widow (2021) and Thunderbolts (2025), the Netflix spy thriller miniseries Treason (2022) and the action thriller Extraction 2 (2023).
Early Life and Background
Olga Kurylenko was born on 14 November 1979 in Berdyansk, a port city in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. At the time of her birth, Ukraine was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. Kurylenko’s father, Konstantin Kurylenko, is Ukrainian, while her mother, Marina Alyabusheva, is an art teacher and an exhibited artist. Following her parents’ divorce when she was three years old, Kurylenko lived with her maternal grandparents and rarely saw her father, meeting him for the first time at the age of eight.
Path to Hollywood
Kurylenko moved to Moscow at the age of 15 and then to Paris at 16. In 1996, she signed a contract with the Paris-based Madison modelling agency, where she met her publicist Valérie Rosen. By the age of 18, she had appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle. While modelling, she supported her mother back in Ukraine. She became the face of brands including Bebe and Clarins, and appeared in the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. Kurylenko quit modelling in 2006 after more than a decade in the industry to focus on acting.
Olga Kurylenko Career
Early Career (1995–2006)
Kurylenko’s acting career began in France with her film debut in The Ring Finger (2005), which earned her a certificate of excellence at the 2006 Brooklyn International Film Festival. She gained further recognition in the 2006 film Paris, je t’aime, where she starred opposite Elijah Wood. In 2007, she starred in the action film Hitman alongside Timothy Olyphant, marking her entry into Hollywood.
Breakthrough (2008)
Her major breakthrough came when she was cast as Camille Montes, the Bond girl in Quantum of Solace (2008). This role established her as a prominent actress in the industry. Kurylenko’s portrayal of the Bolivian Secret Service agent who teams up with James Bond was well-received, and she became a recognizable face in action films.
Notable Works and Milestones
Following her success in Quantum of Solace, Kurylenko starred in several notable films, including the romantic drama To the Wonder (2012), the science fiction film Oblivion (2013), and the political satire The Death of Stalin (2017). She also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow (2021) and is set to appear in Thunderbolts (2025).
Olga Kurylenko Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Olga Kurylenko has received various nominations for her performances, showcasing her talent and versatility as an actress.
Olga Kurylenko Awards Won
While specific awards won are not detailed, Kurylenko’s performances have garnered critical acclaim and recognition in the film industry.
Olga Kurylenko Family
Olga Kurylenko’s family includes her father, Konstantin Kurylenko, and her mother, Marina Alyabusheva. She has a son with her former partner, English actor and writer Max Benitz.
Personal Life
Olga Kurylenko was married to French fashion photographer Cedric van Mol from 2000 to 2004 and to American entrepreneur Damian Gabrielle from 2006 to 2007. She acquired French citizenship in 2001, which she described as a practical decision for easier travel. Kurylenko currently resides in London, England.
