Happy Birthday wishes go out to Kim Basinger who turns 55 years old today. Kimila Ann Basinger was born in Athens, Ga. Kim has been married twice, and has a daughter, Addie Baldwin, from her second husband, actor Alec Baldwin.

At 16, Kim won the title of "Athens Junior Miss" and then "Junior Miss Georgia". Kim became a top fashion model appearing in 100's of ads including being the Breck shampoo girl. She earned as much as $1,000 a day for her modeling.

In 1976, after a five year stint as a fashion model, Kim moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting careen. She started with roles on television including "McMillian & Wife" and "Charlie's Angels". Her first big role was in a TV movie, "Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold". This led to her becoming a "Bond Girl" in the 007 movie "Never Say Never" with Sean Connery.

Kim was nominated for a "Golden Globe" award for "Best Supporting Actress" in the baseball movie "The Natural" with Robert Redford.

Kim won an "Academy Award" for "Best Supporting Actress" in the movie "L.A. Confidential in 1997. She was also "Viki Vale" in the movie "Batman" with Michael Keaton.

Kim is the only actress to win an Academy Award and pose nude in Playboy.