Shagadelic Secrets: 7 Things You Never Knew About Elizabeth Hurley's Iconic Austin Powers Role

Elizabeth Hurley’s portrayal of secret agent Vanessa Kensington in the 1997 spy-spoof classic, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, remains one of the most defining roles of her career. As of December 18, 2025, the conversation around the franchise is buzzing again, fueled by Hurley herself expressing enthusiasm for a potential fourth installment, albeit with a humorous request for "slightly different costumes."

The film, which introduced the world to Mike Myers’ groovy, time-displaced spy, cemented Hurley’s status as a global icon, blending British elegance with ’60s-inspired, secret-agent chic. Her performance was a crucial component in the movie's success, which became a cultural phenomenon and a beloved parody of the James Bond films.

Elizabeth Hurley: A Complete Biography and Career Timeline

Elizabeth Jane Hurley is an English actress, model, and producer whose career spans several decades, transitioning from a high-profile figure in the 1990s to a versatile television and film star in the 21st century.

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• Birth Name: Elizabeth Jane Hurley
• Date of Birth: June 10, 1965
• Birth Place: Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, UK
• Age (as of 2025): 60 years old
• Notable Early Career: Gained significant public attention in the 1990s, particularly due to her relationship with actor Hugh Grant and her appearance in the iconic Versace "safety pin dress."
• Breakout Film Role: Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997).
• Iconic Film Roles: The Devil in Bedazzled (2000), Sara Moore in Serving Sara (2002).
• Major Television Roles: Queen Helena in the E! original series The Royals (2015–2018), and the Marvel Comics villain Morgan le Fay in the Hulu series Runaways (2019).
• Current Status (2025): Continues to act, produce, and is an active philanthropist, notably in breast cancer campaigns.
• Recent Personal Life Update (2025): Has been romantically linked to musician Billy Ray Cyrus since late 2024.

The Phenomenon of Vanessa Kensington and the Film's Sleeper Hit Status

The role of Vanessa Kensington, the daughter of Austin Powers' original 1960s sidekick, was pivotal in bridging the gap between the swinging sixties and the modern 1990s.

She was the straight-woman to Mike Myers' over-the-top, anachronistic spy, Basil Exposition, and Dr. Evil. Vanessa’s mission was to acclimate Austin to the new world, providing a grounding force for the comedic chaos. Her character was a clear parody of the sophisticated, often scantily-clad, female agents found in classic Bond films like *Goldfinger* and *Thunderball*.

Initial Box Office and Lasting Impact

Despite its enduring legacy, the first film, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, was not an immediate blockbuster. Produced on a modest budget of $16.5 million, it grossed approximately $67 million worldwide.

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The film’s true success came through word-of-mouth and home video rentals, solidifying its status as a cult classic. The critical reception was generally positive, praising Mike Myers' dual performance as Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, and the strong supporting cast, including Hurley, Michael York, and Robert Wagner.

The film’s modest start allowed the sequels, *The Spy Who Shagged Me* and *Goldmember*, to explode into box office juggernauts, largely due to the foundation laid by Hurley and the original cast.

7 Shagadelic Secrets from the Austin Powers Set

The making of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was filled with memorable moments and behind-the-scenes trivia that highlight the chemistry between Elizabeth Hurley and Mike Myers, as well as the film's unique production style.

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1. The Real Reason She Missed *Goldmember*

Hurley reprised her role in the opening of the second film, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, but was conspicuously absent from the third installment, *Austin Powers in Goldmember*.

The reason for her absence was a very personal one: she was pregnant with her son, Damian Hurley, at the time of filming. Hurley clarified that her bowing out of the third movie "wasn't my fault," as the timing simply did not work with her pregnancy.

2. The Iconic Silver Mini-Dress

Vanessa Kensington’s fashion was a perfect blend of '60s mod and '90s sleekness, a key element of the film’s visual humor. Her most famous outfit—the silver, metallic mini-dress with a halter neckline—is still a popular Halloween costume.

This look, along with her tailored jackets and boots, helped define the character's sexy secret agent aesthetic, making her a style icon for the parody genre.

3. The Struggle with "Giggling Fits"

Despite her polished on-screen demeanor, Elizabeth Hurley has confessed that she struggled to maintain her composure during filming, particularly in scenes with Mike Myers.

She revealed that she would often get "terrible giggling fits" while shooting, a testament to Myers’ comedic genius and the difficulty of keeping a straight face opposite his outrageous characters, Austin Powers and Dr. Evil.

4. The Unexpected Box Office Trajectory

While the film was financially successful, its box office performance was initially considered modest. It wasn't until the sequels that the franchise became a global powerhouse, thanks to the groundwork laid by the original cast and the enduring popularity of the characters created by Mike Myers.

5. The James Bond Parody Connection

The entire film is a loving parody of the James Bond universe, and Vanessa Kensington’s character is directly inspired by the classic "Bond Girl" trope.

The film’s plot—a spy frozen in time and thawed decades later—mirrors the plot devices and villains of early Bond films, with Vanessa serving as the updated, independent co-star.

6. Mike Myers' Character Inspiration

Mike Myers drew inspiration for Austin Powers from a variety of sources, including British comedians Peter Sellers and Dudley Moore.

Hurley's role as the sophisticated, fashionable partner was essential to bouncing off Myers' eccentric performance, giving the film its distinct comedic rhythm.

7. Hurley is Open to an *Austin Powers 4*

The most current and exciting piece of news is Hurley's willingness to return to the franchise. In recent interviews, she has publicly stated that she is open to a fourth *Austin Powers* movie.

Her only condition, delivered with a wink, was that her character's famous, revealing costumes would need to be "slightly different" this time around, acknowledging the passage of time since the original 1997 film. This news has fueled speculation and hope among fans for a true reunion of the original cast, including Mike Myers, Robert Wagner (Number Two), and Seth Green (Scott Evil).

Elizabeth Hurley’s Enduring Legacy Beyond Vanessa Kensington

While Vanessa Kensington remains a cornerstone of her filmography, Elizabeth Hurley has built a diverse career that showcases her versatility as an actress and producer. Her television work, particularly as the manipulative Queen Helena in *The Royals*, proved her ability to command a dramatic role with British gravitas.

Her work in the fantasy genre as Morgan le Fay in *Runaways* further demonstrated her range, moving far beyond the comedic spy genre that launched her to global fame. However, for millions of fans, the image of the stunningly dressed, quick-witted Vanessa Kensington remains her most beloved and iconic persona, a testament to the enduring power of the Austin Powers franchise and its groovy, shagadelic star.