Popular 90s Star Changed Her Name & Switched Careers

At the peak of late-1990s Hollywood, Leelee Sobieski appeared poised for lasting stardom. A sought-after young talent, she moved easily between big-budget films and darker dramas, earning a reputation as one of the industry’s rising stars.

She featured in major releases such as Deep Impact, the romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, and the thriller Joy Ride. She also worked alongside prominent actors and was chosen by Stanley Kubrick for a role in Eyes Wide Shut at just 14.

Her acclaim expanded with her portrayal of Joan of Arc in the television miniseries Joan of Arc, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations before she turned 17. Critics praised her maturity and technical skill.

Sobieski embraced complex roles in projects like The Glass House and the indie drama Lying, balancing commercial and artistic work with ease.

However, by the early 2010s, her screen appearances slowed. After a few television roles, including a brief CBS police drama, she stepped away from acting entirely in 2016.

In later interviews, she explained that Hollywood’s pressures—especially on young women—conflicted with her personal priorities and family life.

Now known as Leelee Kimmel, she has built a second career as an abstract painter in New York City, earning recognition for bold, emotionally layered works and redefining success on her own terms.