Madonna Biography and Filmography

Brother Christopher Ciccone designs restaurant interiors. Renovated a mansion overlooking Hudson River north of New York City in the same West Nyack community that's home to Rosie O'Donnell and director Jonathan Demme.
Her videos "Justify My Love" and "What It Feels Like For A Girl" were banned from VH1 & MTV. "Erotica" (1992), though not banned, was only played after midnight on MTV.
Her record company Maverick Records signed a distribution deal with A Band Apart Records, a record company founded by Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender. A Band Apart Records will focus on film soundtracks. [30 July 1997]
Gave birth to baby daughter. The baby is named Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon. The father is actor/fitness instructor Carlos Leon. [14 October 1996]
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991]
Studied with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and Pearl Lang's Dance Company in Manhattan. [1978]
Unanimously condemned by the Puerto Rican House of Representatives for pulling a Puerto Rican flag between her legs in an October 26, 1993 concert.
Her song, "Vogue", is a tribute to the glamour of classic Hollywood. Celebrities mentioned in the song are Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Joe DiMaggio, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Grace Kelly, Jean Harlow, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Lana Turner, and Bette Davis.
Was supposed to play the lead in Music of the Heart (1999) but dropped out two weeks before filming was set to begin.
High school cheerleader.
Marched with the Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps.
Her daughter Lourdes was named as a tribute to Madonna's mother, who wanted to visit Lourdes, France, where the Virgin Mary, the Madonna, appeared in 1858, but died before doing so.
Gave birth to a baby boy, Rocco John Ritchie, 3 weeks prematurely. [11 August 2000]
Was considered for the role in Casino (1995) that eventually went to Sharon Stone.
Turned down the lead in The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989).
Turned down the role of Cristal Conners in Showgirls (1995).
Was good friends with Gwyneth Paltrow before she declined her invitation to join her Kabbalah study group in London. A similar thing happened to her friendship with Debi Mazar, who didn't like Madonna's participation in the Kabbalah.
In his 38th annual Worst Dressed List published in January 1998, Mr. Blackwell wrote about her questionable taste in clothing the previous year, "Let's be blunt, yesterday's Evita is today's Velveeta."
Owner of Maverick Records label (1992-2004).
Graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1976. Studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and won a scholarship to study modern dance and drama for 3 semesters at the University of Michigan.
One of 7 siblings. Her mother died of breast cancer on December 1st, 1963.
Her infamous 1994 appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) had her saying the "f" word 13 times.
Has an IQ of 140.
Her birthday is also the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.
Bought mansion in the Hollywood Hills originally built for Rudolph Valentino.
Born at 7:05 AM MST.
Named one of People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People of 1991', and '25 Most Intriguing People of 2001'.
In 1989, she had a multi-million dollar contract with Pepsi to promote their product as well as cross-promote her new album, "Like a Prayer". However, when the video for the first single, "Like a Prayer", was released, it caused international controversy, with images of burning crosses, murder, and racism, and Pepsi soon retracted their contract, and the 13-minute commercial was only viewed once, at the Superbowl. The single later soared to Number 1 on the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks. She later thanked Pepsi for creating such controversy.
Appeared in a 1988 stage play with Ron Silver and Joe Mantegna called "Speed-The-Plow".
Did a Japanese commercial for Panasonic in 1987.
Her film Shanghai Surprise (1986) was a box-office disaster, costing million and grossing only .
Appeared in a filmed stage play in 1980 called "In Artificial Light", in which she wrote her own part.
Appeared in a stage play in 1986 called "Goose And Tom-Tom" with then-husband Sean Penn.
Her first film, A Certain Sacrifice (1985), was released in 1985, after she became a star, but was actually shot in two parts, the first in 1979, and the other, in 1981.
A September 2000 Rolling Stone article estimated her worth as 0 million. Since then, she has released the album "Music", which sold 12 million copies, has had a 47-date sold-out worldwide tour, completed a movie, and released a greatest hits compilation.
As of 2001, her albums have sold 153 million copies worldwide.
As of early 2002, has had 15 solo albums: "Madonna" (1983); "Like a Virgin" (1984); "True Blue" (1986); "Who's That Girl" (1987); "You Can Dance" (1987); "Like a Prayer" (1989); "I'm Breathless" (1990); "The Immaculate Collection" (1990); "Erotica" (1992); "Bedtime Stories" (1994); "Something to Remember" (1995); "Evita" (1996); "Ray of Light" (1998); "Music" (2000); "GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2" (2001).
She campaigned for the role of Frida Kalo, as did Jennifer Lopez, and tried to get a film made for numerous years. She had hoped to actually star with Marlon Brando as Diego Rivera, but due to her lack of box office draw at the time, the film idea went nowhere. After Evita (1996), she and Salma Hayek were both interested in films about the artist. Hayek's film won favor and was greenlit.
Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001".
Gwyneth Paltrow was the Maid of Honor at her wedding to Guy Ritchie.
Her grandparents are Michelina and Gaetano Ciccone.
Her father is Italian, her mother was French-Canadian.
Sister-in-law of Joe Henry
Measurements: 34C-23-33 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
In October 2000, Madonna won her fight against a cybersquatter using the domain name madonna.com to operate a pornography website. The UN World Intellectual Property Organization found that site operator Dan Parisi "lacks rights or legitimate interests in the domain name." Parisi claims that he was in the process of handing over the rights to the domain name to a US hospital, Madonna Rehabilitation, which has the domain name madonna.org, when the case started.
She started fashion trends in 1984 with her unique look using rosaries and crosses as jewelry and black rubber typewriter bands as bracelets. Legions of adolescent girls mimicked her look and a Madonna clothing store was opened in New York. Again in 2001, another huge fashion trend was set off by the "Material Mom", this time with western wear - cowboy hats and mud-splattered jeans.
In November 2000, she held a live concert at the Brixton Academy in London which was broadcast over the Internet. A record nine million people watched the event, making it the largest live webcast of all time.
Her mother was born on July 11, 1932.
Her song 'Little star' is dedicated to her daughter Lourdes
Featured on the sleeve of the album "Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors" by former Marillion singer Fish. She is also mentioned in his song "Big Wedge".
Madonna and Céline Dion share the same French-Canadian heritage through a common ancestor named Zacharie Cloutier.
Mentioned in the lyrics of the song "You Were Right" by Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy.
Attended St. Andrews Patrick Catholic school.
Attended West Junior High in Rochester Hills, Michigan for the 8th grade.
Her parents were married at Visitation Catholic Church in Bay City, Michigan on July 2, 1955.
Her mother and her two uncles were buried at Calvary Cemetery in Bay City, Michigan.
Purchased a mini mansion for daughter Lourdes in 2003. Produced by Posh Tots, a mini-mansion ranges in price from US,500 to US5,000, and can even be installed with cable TV and running water.
December 2003 - announced she was starting a merchandising line of dolls, apparel, home decor, etc. as a tie-in to her best-selling children's book, "The English Roses".
Her first children's book, "The English Roses", was published in September, 2003.
Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Her wedding dress for her 2000 wedding to director Guy Ritchie was designed by her friend Stella McCartney.
Received a career award at the 2004 French NRJ Awards (January 2004).
"Madonna - Drowned World Tour 2001" home video release certified platinum in the U.S. (video sales of over 100,000 copies) (March 2002)
#6 in Life's 100 Greatest Rockers List (March 2002)
Won Best Solo Dance Artist at the 17th International Dance Music Awards held at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. (March 2002)
Voted #3 on the reader-voted Favorite Female List for Rolling Stone Magazine's 2001 Music Awards list, following Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez (January 2002).
"The Immaculate Collection" voted #1 on Blender magazine's 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time List. (Januray 2002)
"Nothing Fails" hits #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Club Play chart, making it her 32nd Dance/Club play chart #1 and her 14th Top Five consecutive hit on that chart (all but three of her entries have been top ten singles on this chart). (Week ending 7th February 2004)
Her 1985 hit "Into The Groove" was ranked #40 on VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs, while "Vogue" placed in the top 10 at #4.
Won Best Chart Act at the 2004 Dancestar USA Awards, in Bayfront Park, Miami. (9th March 2004)
Is good friends with Björk, who also wrote the song 'Bedtime Story' for her 1994 album, Bedtime Stories.
Parodied by Amy Poehler on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
In 2003, three different action figures were made of her likeness based on her character, Susan, from the movie Desperately Seeking Susan (1985).
Fifth single from album "Madonna", "Lucky Star" becomes Madonna's 1st US Top 5 hit peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and also the 1st in a string of 17 US Top 5 singles. In total "Lucky Star" spent 16 weeks on the US Hot 100 and 2 weeks at #2 on the Japan charts. The single was initially released in the UK in 1983, instead of "Burning Up / Physical Attraction", where it did not chart. Reissued in the UK in 1984, it would peak at #14. Other chart activity includes: #16 in Canada. #29 in Europe. #36 in Australia. The single did not chart in France or Germany, and it was not released in Japan. (August 1984)
Fourth single from album "Madonna", "Borderline" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Madonna her first US top 10 single, as well as her 1st US Gold single. The song remained in the Billboard Top 100 for 30 weeks. The only other Madonna to match this is "Take A Bow" in 1994. The songs video was nominated for Best New Artist in a Video at the MTV Music video Awards. Other chart activity includes: #12 in Australia. #22 in Canada. #26 in Japan. #56 in Europe. (February 1984)
Produced by Mark Kamins, her debut single "Everybody" peaks at #3 on the Billboard Dance Charts. The single unfortunately failed to chart on the US Billboard Top 100 Chart, Canada, Europe, the UK, Germany, France & Japan. The single was not released in Australia. (October 1982)
Second single from the album "Madonna", the double-sided 12" single "Burning Up / Physcial Attraction" peaks at #3 on the Billboard Dance Chart. Madonna's debut single in Australia, peaking at #13 on the Australian AMR chart. The single failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, Europe, Germany, France & Japan. The single was not released in the UK. (March 1983)
Third single from the album "Madonna", "Holiday" peaks at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 giving Madonna's her first Top 40 & Top 20 single. On the Billboard Dance Chart it became Madonna's first #1. The single also stayed at #13 on the European charts for 2 weeks. Certified Silver in the UK & France. Other chart activity includes: #4 in Australia. #6 in the UK. #9 in Germany. #10 in Japan. #24 in France. #34 in Canada. (July 1983)
Her debut album Madonna peaked at #8 on the Billboard Top 200, where it spent 168 weeks. 5 of the 8 tracks were written by Madonna. Peaking at #8 for 3 weeks, the album as of October 2000 has now sold over 5 million copies in the US alone. US Billboard Chart figures include: 5 weeks in the Top 10, 36 weeks in Top 40, 99 weeks in Top 100 & 168 weeks in Top 200. 5 million units shipped in the US, 3.3 million shipped internationally, totalling 8.3 million all up. Singles from this album include: Everybody, Burning Up/Physical Attraction, Holiday, Borderline & Lucky Star. Originally peaking at #44 in Germany, it would later be re-issued as Madonna: The First Album and peak at #28. Certified 5xPlatinum in the US, 3xPlatinum in the UK & Australia, 1xPlatinum in France, and Gold in Germany Other chart activity includes: #6 in the UK. #8 in France. #10 in Australia. #19 in Canada. (July 1983)
She is a fan of Katharine Hepburn.
Born on the same day as actress Angela Bassett.
July 1984: Produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the first single from the album "Like A Virgin", "Like A Virgin" stayed at #1 for 6 weeks in the US, becoming Madonna's 2nd longest stay at #1, where it was certified Gold. It would stay in the US charts for 19 weeks. Other chart activity includes: #1 in Australia for 5 weeks, Japan for 4 weeks, Canada for 3 weeks and Europe for 5 weeks. Other chart placings include #3 in the UK, #4 in Germany and #8 in France. It would be certified Gold in the US & UK, and Silver in Germany. Directed by Mary Lambert, the video would be nominated for 3 MTV Video Music Awards: Best choreography, Best art direction and Best cinematography.
December 1984: Album Like A Virgin peaks at #1 on the US charts, where it stayed for 3 weeks. Produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the album remains her highest selling studio album in the US, with over 10 million units sold (certified 10xPlatinum). It would stay in the Billboard Top 10 for 33 weeks, Top 40 for 52 weeks, Top 100 for 70 weeks and 200 for 108 weeks (More than 2 years). The album would spin 4 US Top 5 singles: "Like A Virgin", "Material Girl", "Angel" & "Dress You Up". The song "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" would be released as a single in 1996. Other chart activity includes: #1 in the UK for 6 weeks (where it was certified 6xPlatinum), #1 in Germany for a week (certified Platinum), #2 in Australia (certified 7xPlatinum), #2 in France (certified 2xPlatinum) & #3 in Canada for 5 weeks (certified 10xPlatinum).
January 1985: Second single from the album "Like A Virgin", "Material Girl" peaks at #2 on the US Billboard Top 100, and it remained in US chart for 17 weeks. It hit #1 in Japan for 2 weeks and peaked at #3 in the UK for 2 weeks. Other chart placings include: #4 in Australia. #5 in Canada & Europe. #13 in Germany. #47 in France.
April 1985: Third single from the album "Like A Virgin", "Angel" was released as a double A-side single in the US (where it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 & was certified Gold), Canada (where it hit #19) & #1 in Australia for 4 weeks. In other territories the singles were released separately. "Angel" peaked at #5 in the UK (where it was certified Silver), #3 in Japan, #13 in Europe, #31 in Germany and didn't chart in France. "Into The Groove" hit #1 in the UK (her first UK #1 for 4 weeks, where it was certified Gold), #1 in Japan for 3 weeks and #1 in Europe for a week. Other chart activity includes #2 in France & #3 in Germany (where it was certified Silver).
February 1985: From the soundtrack "Vision Quest", "Crazy For You" peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for a week, #1 in Australia for 3 weeks and #1 in Japan for 4 weeks. It would stay on the US charts for 21 weeks. Other chart activity includes: #2 in the UK. #4 in Canada. #6 in Europe for 6 weeks. #36 in Germany. #47 in France. It was certified Gold in both the US and UK. It also marked her first Grammy nomination. It was re-released as a single in the UK in 1991 and again peaked at #2.
She has posed nude at least three times in her career: briefly in A Certain Sacrifice (1985), in some nude photos taken before she became famous in the late 1970s which eventually ran in Penthouse magazine and in the 1992 photo and interview book "Sex" which became a worldwide best seller.
Siblings: Martin (1957), Anthony (1956), Christopher (1960), Paula (1959), Melanie (1962), Mario (1969) and Jennifer (1968).
1985: "Holiday" re-issed in the UK just before the release of "Angel" where it peaked at #2 (4 places higher than its original release).
1985: Second single from the soundtrack "Vision Quest", "Gambler" peaked at #4 in the UK where it would be certified Silver. Although this was not released as a single in the US or Canada, the video was played constantly on MTV. Other chart activity includes: #8 in Europe, #10 in Australia, #12 in Japan, #25 in Germany, #35 in France.
11th January 1985: The home video release of her first concert tour "The Virgin Tour: Live" peaked at #1 on the Billboard home video chart, where it stayed for 49 weeks. The release includes 10 of the 13 songs performed at the show. It unfortunately leaves out "Angel", "Burning Up" and "Borderline".
1986: "Borderline" re-issued as a single in the UK where it peaked at #2 (54 places higher than its original release) and be certified Silver. It also peaked at #21 on Europe charts for two weeks.
24th July 1985: The fourth and final single from the album "Like A Virgin", "Dress You Up" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remained on the chart for 16 weeks. It also hit #5 in Australia, Canada and the UK. It was certified silver in the UK. Other chart activity includes: #6 in Europe and Japan. #18 in France. #20 in Germany. "Dress You Up" was also used as a cartoon music video for DTV (a 'Walt Disney' version of MTV for kids). However, the song became the subject of controversy when the Parents Music Resource Center's Tipper Gore, wife of former vice president Al Gore, called "Dress You Up" "vulgar music" after hearing her daughter Karenna listen to the song (along with "Darling Nikki" by 'Prince (I)'); and soon the PMRC listed "Dress You Up" as #8 on their "Filthy Fifteen" list, for the perceived sexual content in the song's lyrics, leading to the creation of the "Parental Advisory" labels.
Her song "La Isla Bonita" (1986) was inspired by a visit she made to San Pedro, Ambergris Cay, Belize, with her then-husband Sean Penn
She was voted the 36th Greatest Artist of all time in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.
A fan of the film Grey Gardens (1975).
Had lived in Pontiac, Michigan before living in Rochester Hills from 6th grade until she moved away to college.
Has a great-aunt named Bambina De Giulio.
Her grandparents are named Elsie Fortin and Willard Fortin (1904-1959).
Once had two pets named Chiquita (chichuahua) and Pepito (bull terrier).
Was born at Bay City Mercy Hospital in Bay City, Michigan.
Her son, Rocco John Richie, with Ritchie, was born by emergency C-section - 3 weeks early. [11 August 2000]
Re-Invention Tour was the #1 world tour of 2004 grossing over 5 million. 55 of 56 shows were sold-out. (Billboard Boxscore)
Turned down the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in _Batman Returns (1992)_ .
Was Prince's first choice for the role of the Kid's angelic muse Aura in his movie musical Graffiti Bridge (1990). She turned it down, brazenly telling him "the screenplay was awful." When it was finally released in theaters, the movie was a critical and commercial bomb.
Is the only person to "win" the awards for Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screen Couple at the Razzie Awards all in the same year. She "won" Worst Supporting Actress in the film Die Another Day (2002). She shared the Worst Screen Couple award with Adriano Giannini in Swept Away (2002). And she tied for Worst Actress in Swept Away (2002) with Britney Spears in _Crossroads (2002)_ .
Nude pictures of her taken years earlier, when she was a starving dancer, ran in Penthouse magazine. Due to the success of that issue, she posed nude again in the coffee table book "Sex" which became an instant best seller.
Voted #35 on Playboy's "100 sexiest women" of the 20th Century (jan/2000).
One of the very few friends she has kept from the old days is her former makeup artist, Debi Mazar, who is now an actress.
Good friends with singer Britney Spears
Her friendship with best friend Gwyneth Paltrow ended, because Paltrow couldn't get along with Madonna's extravagant lifestyle.
Is spoofed in Eminem's music video "Just lose it"
Is a big fan of Kylie and Dannii Minogue
Is a distant cousin of Gwen Stefani. Gwen's great-aunt's mother-in-law shares the same last name with Madonna.
Favorite Designers: Dolce & Gabbana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Betsy Johnson, Gianni Versace, Stella McCartney, Maripol.
Fell off a horse on her country estate in England, sustaining numerous injuries. [August 16, 2005]
Briefly hospitalized on her 47th birthday after breaking her hand and collar bone, and cracking three ribs after falling off a horse on her country estate.
Along with Pia Zadora, Sylvester Stallone, Pauly Shore and Demi Moore, one of the few people who have "won" back to back awards at the Razzies in successive years. She "won" Worst Actress of 1987 for her performance in the film Shanghai Surprise (1986), and then again the next year she "won" Worst Actress of 1988 for her performance in the film _Who's That Girl? (1987)_ .
Her role in "Speed The Plow" on Broadway was taken over by `Felcity Huffman'
During her career she always had much influence on fashion due to her constant image change. She is considered as a fashion icon by most women in the world.
Motherhood has inspired her to write a number of critically-acclaimed children's books: "The Adventures of Abdi", "The English Roses", "Lotsa de Casha", "Mr. Peabody's Apples" and "Yakov and the Seven Thieves". All have become international best-sellers and earned her praise for the morals woven into the stories.
Is strongly Pro-Life. She was even in anti-abortion ads in the UK.
"Hung Up" jumped seven places to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in December 2005. Consequently the pop icon matches Elvis Presley's tally for top 10 hits - 36, the most for any artist in the rock era.
Considered for the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), which eventually went to Michelle Pfeiffer.
Won two prizes at the 2006 Echo Awards for "Best Female Artist international" and "Hit of the Year" for "Hung Up" (12 March 2006).
Has two songs with the same title on two different albums: "Forbidden Love" which was included in her "Bedtime Stories" album; and "Forbidden Love" which was a track on her "Confessions on a Dance Floor" album. Although both songs have the same title, they are two totally different tracks.
The first song she ever wrote before she became famous was a song called "Tell the Truth".
Nicknames her daughter Lourdes "Lola".
Introduced the songs that won Oscars for Broadway "rivals" Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Owns a house in Miami