Born in Dublin in 1979, Outlander star Caitriona Balfe always planned to be an actor, studying drama at the Dublin Institute of Technology.
But at the age of 18 she was scouted by an modelling agent at the age of 18 while collecting charity money at a supermarket and quickly became successful – closing fashion shows around the world for the likes of Chanel, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Alberta Ferretti and Louis Vuitton.
A minor role in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada saw her return to acting and she moved to LA in 2009 to focus on her first love, winning parts in films including Super 8, Now You See Me, and Escape Plan.
Global fame beckoned when she signed up to play Claire Fraser in the Starz historical drama series Outlander in 2014. Since then the six series of the hit show filmed in Scotland have earned her a British Academy Scotland Award, an Irish Film and Television Award, two People's Choice Awards, three Saturn Awards, two Critics' Choice Television Awards nominations, and four Golden Globe Awards nominations.
Here are 13 interesting quotes from her many interviews.
9. Caitriona Balfe on...having a career before acting
"I'm just so glad that I started acting when I did because I had this wealth of life experience. I don't know if I'd have been able to handle it had I gone out to LA at 22." Photo: Vivien Killilea
10. Caitriona Balfe on...being a modern woman
"I think women today are really struggling with these dual roles: How do you have a full-time career and be ambitious and still take care of your family?" Photo: Ari Perilstein
11. Caitriona Balfe on...Paris
"It's true, you never forget your first love, and, for me, that will always be Paris." Photo: Pascal Le Segretain
12. Caitriona Balfe on...starring in a period drama
"I never thought of myself doing period. When you're in your acting classes, and you think about the kind of roles you want to play, it's always 'modern relationship drama'-type things." Photo: David Livingston