Spotlight On: Katherine Heigl

You know her from ‘Knocked Up’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ but this Emmy-winning actress, a former child model, has had a longer and more varied career than you might realize. With her new NBC series, the political thriller 'State of Affairs,' set to premiere Monday, Nov. 17, here's a look back at Heigl's work.

After a couple of small parts, this was the teenage Heigl’s breakout role -- albeit a dubious one: ‘My Father the Hero’ is about a girl who passes off her dad (Gérard Depardieu) as her lover in order to impress a boy. Reviews were not kind.

Heigl’s next movie paired her up with another big ‘90s star: Steven Seagal. In this hostage thriller, set on a train hurtling through the Rocky Mountains, she plays the action hero’s estranged niece.

Six years after she first began working in film, Heigl was still paying her dues, as evidenced by this campy horror sequel designed as a vehicle for Jennifer Tilly -- and, of course, for the killer doll Chucky.

It took a network television show to give Katherine Heigl’s career a boost, and it wouldn’t be the last time. Playing an alien high school student in the eponymous New Mexico town, Heigl, like the series itself, soon became a fan favorite.

Post-‘Roswell,’ Heigl plugged away at TV movies before landing a plum role in this high-rated medical drama. As Dr. Izzie Stevens, she was a standout in an already stellar ensemble. Bigger things were just around the corner.

Judd Apatow’s pregnancy comedy became a monster hit and conferred A-list status upon Heigl and her costar Seth Rogen. Between this, an Emmy for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and her marriage to Josh Kelley, 2007 was a good time to be Katherine Heigl.

‘Knocked Up’ breathed new life into the romantic comedy genre, and Katherine Heigl was crowned queen of the chick flick. Say what you will about her output over the next five years; the bridesmaid comedy ’27 Dresses’ was still a relative smash.

Critics dismissed this R-rated rom-com as formulaic, but audiences fell for the chemistry between Heigl and her leading man, Gerard Butler. ‘The Ugly Truth’ was even more successful than ’27 Dresses.’

Heigl made her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ departure official in 2010 and starred in two more rom-coms: ‘Life as We Know It,’ with Josh Duhamel, and the darker (and sillier) ‘Killers,’ with Ashton Kutcher. Both saw only middling success.

Heigl darkened her locks to play New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum in this crime caper, based on Janet Evanovich’s popular novels. It was a valiant attempt at a character role, but the movie was both a critical and commercial failure.

Retreating to the comfort of the romantic comedy was not, as it turned out, the best move for Heigl. Despite its all-star cast, ‘The Big Wedding’ was a big flop. It was time for the actress to regroup and begin challenging herself again.

Taking on this thrilling political drama might wind up being the smartest thing Heigl’s ever done. It’s not just a return to TV, it’s also a kiss-off to the frothy comedies that made audiences forget how compelling Katherine Heigl can be.