Early Life & Background
- Born Rebecca Alie Romijn on November 6, 1972 in Berkeley, California. Wikipedia+2TVGuide.com+2
- She has Dutch heritage: her father is from the Netherlands, and she is partly of Dutch descent on her mother’s side. Wikipedia+1
- She attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she studied music (voice). Wikipedia
Modeling Career
- She began modeling around 1991. The Famous People+1
- Worked for major brands and appeared on the covers of big fashion magazines (Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, etc.). Wikipedia+1
- Walked runways for designers like Giorgio Armani, Sonia Rykiel, and Anna Molinari. The Famous People
- She was a host on MTV’s “House of Style” from 1998 to 2000. Wikipedia
Breakout Acting Role — Mystique
- She’s very well known for her role as Mystique in the original X-Men film trilogy (2000, 2003, 2006). Wikipedia
- Playing Mystique required long makeup sessions: in early X-Men films it reportedly took many hours each day to apply her blue body makeup. Wall Of Celebrities
Other Acting Highlights
- She played Alexis Meade on the TV series Ugly Betty. The Famous People
- On Star Trek: Discovery (2019) and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022–present), she plays Una Chin-Riley (also called Number 1). Wikipedia
- She starred in the TV series The Librarians as Eve Baird, and she hosted the reality show Skin Wars. Wikipedia
- She has voiced Lois Lane in DC Animated Movie Universe films. Wikipedia
Personal Life
- Her first marriage was to actor John Stamos (married 1998, divorced 2005). Wikipedia
- In 2007, she married actor Jerry O’Connell, and they have twin daughters (Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip). The Famous People+1
- She’s spoken publicly about her journey to motherhood — she used fertility treatments, and later acupuncture, to conceive. The List
- Interestingly, she and O’Connell keep their personal finances separate, though they maintain a “community pot” for shared family expenses. Page Six
Skills & Languages
- She’s multilingual: she speaks English, Dutch, and French. The Famous People
- She can play musical instruments, including guitar and drums. The Famous People
Recognition & Beauty
- During her modeling and acting career, she regularly appeared on “most beautiful” and “sexiest” lists (Maxim, FHM, AskMen, etc.). Wikipedia
- According to TV Guide, she won a Saturn Award for her supporting role. TVGuide.com
Recent & Upcoming Projects
- She is slated to return as Mystique in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the film Avengers: Doomsday. Wikipedia
- She continues her Star Trek role in Strange New Worlds and has spoken about balancing that with other work. EW.com
Advocacy and Personal Values
- She’s spoken about body positivity and challenged unrealistic beauty standards. The Famous People
- She’s also known for her dedication to family, saying that raising her children is “an honor.” The List
Transformation & Makeup Dedication
- Her commitment to the Mystique role is especially notable: the extensive makeup (and prosthetics) process was grueling, but she embraced it to bring the character to life.
