ET was there with the actress when she was on the verge of stardom.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since Almost Famous first hit theaters, making
stars out of its young cast, including Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, and Zooey
Deschanel.
Of course, ET wasn’t the only one who realized Hudson was a
star-in-the-making, which is why director Cameron Crowe cast her as Penny Lane.
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“I found Penny Lane's character to be such an amazing female
role,” a 21-year-old Hudson told ET at the time. “I got totally sucked into her
life and when I did walk onto set, my emotions were so surfaced because of all
the work that we had done. It was very easy for me to go different places.”
Though, Hudson wasn’t initially supposed to play the storied
band promoter based on the real life of Pennie Trumbull. In fact, the actress
first read for the part of Anita Miller, which later went to future New Girl, Deschanel.
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“I read for the part of Anita, which is Cameron's sister,”
Hudson revealed, unaware of what she was getting herself into. “Actually, the
strange thing was I didn't know what I was reading for. Basically I got told
that Cameron Crowe is doing a movie and I said I will be an extra!”
“I had a really strong, gut feeling that was going to be a
part of my career,” she added, almost knowing the role would eventually earn
her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Since then, Hudson has become a box
office draw starring in How to Lose a Guy
in 10 Days, Nine, and the
upcoming ensemble, Mother’s Day.
Though, we can never forget the days of Penny Lane!
ET: Before They Were Famous is available on newsstands and at OnNewsstandsNow.com