English actress and model Elizabeth Hurley is probably most famous for her role as the attractive British agent, Vanessa Kensington, in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in 1997.
Elizabeth Hurley dazzles in a sparkling white mini dress paired with silver strappy heels, holding hands with Mike Myers at the Los Angeles premiere of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on April 28, 1997 (Credit: WENN)
She also touched the surface of other films and TV shows, including her role as the Devil in Bedazzled, Morgan le Fay in Runaways, and her 3-year role in The Royals.
The Casting of Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers
Hurley’s combination of acting talent and striking looks made her a perfect fit for the role of Vanessa Kensington, especially after Pamela Anderson was passed over due to the fallout from her leaked sex tape.
Pam Anderson is rumored to have auditioned for Elizabeth Hurley’s part in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (Credit: John Eddy / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Back in the 1990s, casting directors were starting to distance themselves from Anderson due to the leaking of her scandalous sex tape. Thus, the actress lost out on her dream role of playing Vanessa Kensington to Hurley.
The Real Reasons Elizabeth Hurley Left the Austin Powers Franchise
Mike Myers initially wanted Hurley to return for the second film as the protagonist lead, Vanessa Kensington since she had already been in the first film in 1997.
However, when the second film surfaced, Hurley was too busy with other projects to take on a primary female lead. These projects included EdTV (1999) and My Favorite Martian (1999).
Mike Myers as Austin Powers and Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa Kensington in the 1997 American spy comedy film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Credit: New Line Cinema)
Additionally, Austin Powers is a parody of James Bond. A trademark of this franchise is that it has a different primary female role in each new film. So, Myers wrote a new female part for Heather Graham.
In the second Austin Powers film, he explains Vanessa’s absence shortly after Vanessa and Austin’s marriage. After engaging in intercourse with Austin on their honeymoon, Hurley’s character is revealed to be a Fembot when Austin controls her with his TV remote.
Quickly, the Fembot self-destructs, exploding and resulting in an early kill-off.
Mike Myers as Austin Powers holds the fembot hand of Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa Kensington in the 1999 American spy comedy film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (Credit: New Line Cinema)
Myers asked Hurley if she would return to her role for a cameo early in the film to maintain the movie’s continuity. Hurley agreed, making time to take on this task in her busy schedule.
It appears that Hurley also didn’t seem to get on with fame. The Austin Powers star admitted she was jealous of the royal family, commenting that they got more privacy than she did as a celebrity.
Actress Elizabeth Hurley in a sparkling red Jenny Packham gown at the Raffaello Summer Day party on the grounds of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin on June 23, 2022 (Credit: Jens Kalaene / DPA / Cover Images)
She discussed how the public never saw the royal family behind closed doors, unlike her life experiences in show business, where people always seemed to be able to get behind the scenes.
“It made me feel a little jealous because it really made me realize that — on our show, you saw us out and about as royalty bestowing goodness and grace on the public, but then, of course, you went behind closed doors and saw what we were getting up to,” she said on BuzzFeed News’ AM to DM.
Elizabeth Hurley in a shimmering pink Blumarine gown at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party at The Glasshouse on May 10, 2022, in New York City (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)
“The real royal family, you never see them behind closed doors ever. We only ever see them bestowing nice things on the outside, and you never see anything else, unlike people in show business where unfortunately pesky people seem to get behind the scenes all the time.”
“So actually they’re really lucky because I always think of the royal family being sort of like showbiz — really because it is — but with a lot more privacy. Sometimes. Maybe they’ve lost a little lately!”
Was Elizabeth Hurley ‘Not Funny Enough’ for Austin Powers?
Aside from Hurley’s apparent busy schedule, there were also some rumors that she wasn’t funny enough for the role.
Indeed, in 2002, the actress’ scenes from Austin Powers In Goldmember were cut due to this very problem.
Mike Myers flashing the peace/victory sign with his co-star Heather Graham during a promotional shoot for the film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me at the 1999 Cannes International Film Festival, Cannes, France, on May 19, 1999 (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
According to a source, Hurley’s poor performance was triggered by her breakup with Steve Bing, the father of her young son, Damien.
Elizabeth Hurley’s Reluctance to Return for a Fourth Austin Powers Film
While fond of her time as Vanessa Kensington, Hurley is hesitant to reprise the role in a fourth film, expressing reservations about revisiting a character she portrayed two decades ago.
“I think if there’s a way that something has organically progressed, but I don’t think anybody wants to run around in the costumes they were wearing 20 years ago,” she told BuzzFeed News in December 2019 about not wanting to reprise her character in a fourth “Austin Powers” film.
Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa Kensington exudes intelligence and charm in a pair of stylish glasses in a scene from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (Credit: New Line Cinema)
She commented on Austin Powers’ organic progress, suggesting that it wasn’t appealing to run about in costumes that were being worn two decades earlier. Saying this, Hurley and Mimi Rogers did indeed ask if they were allowed to keep their tight leather outfits!
Fun Facts About Elizabeth Hurley’s Role in Austin Powers
Though Heather Graham later replaced Hurley, she still left a colossal mark on this franchise.
Elizabeth Hurley flaunts her impressive boobs in a low-cut dress (Credit: Jens Kalaene / DPA / Cover Images)
In the movie’s screenplay, her character Vanessa is described as falling into her mid-20s, although Hurley was 31.
The American spy comedy film was released on May 2, 1997, just one month before Elizabeth Hurley turned 32. She was born on June 10, 1965, in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, and celebrated her 32nd birthday on June 10, 1997. Furthermore, she commented that Austin Powers was based on British TV and radio personality Simon Dee.
Last but not least, if you’re curious about the Fembots, it might be interesting to know that they were voiced by actress Wendee Lee, not by Hurley. She is most famous for having the voice of Faye Valentine in the 1998 English version of Cowboy Bebop.
So, there you have it. Hopefully, you now know more about Elizabeth Hurley, how she came to take on the role of Vanessa Kensington, and why she decided to leave this iconic agent character in the past. We can only wonder what work she will take on next! Speaking of her iconic roles, let’s take a moment to appreciate one of her stunning red carpet appearances that showcases her timeless fashion sense.
Elizabeth Hurley Stuns in a Daring Fuchsia Dress at the 2016 NBCU Upfront Presentation
Elizabeth Hurley stuns in a vibrant fuchsia dress with a sweetheart neckline, showcasing her timeless beauty at the NBCU Upfront Presentation on May 16, 2016, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
In May 2016, Elizabeth Hurley made a sexy appearance at the NBCU Upfront Presentation held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City to promote her third-season show, The Royals. In August 2018, E! canceled the American primetime television soap opera after four seasons.
The then-50-year-old model and actress flaunted her ample assets in a strapless fuchsia midi dress with a daringly low neckline and thigh-high split.
Elizabeth Hurley radiates elegance with her soft, wavy locks perfectly complementing a striking fuchsia dress featuring a sweetheart neckline and thigh-high slit (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Elizabeth looked gorgeous as ever in the vibrant and sexy dress. You can tell she’s had decades of modeling experience. The movie actress wore her honey locks down in soft waves.
Elizabeth Hurley exudes sophistication in a figure-hugging fuchsia dress with a thigh-high slit, paired perfectly with nude strappy heels, at the NBCU Upfront Presentation (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
She added a pop of bright blue eyeliner and completed her look with a delicate diamond necklace. The model and actress ensured all eyes went straight to her bright dress and ample assets by choosing a simple pair of nude heels from American fashion designer Tom Ford to complete her ensemble.
Elizabeth Hurley completes her chic look with nude strappy heels featuring a gold padlock detail, perfectly showcasing her fresh pedicure (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Available at Farfetch, these patent Tom Ford sandals feature a thin toe strap and a wrapped ankle strap with the iconic gold padlock detail.
Tom Ford Lock Ankle-Wrap Suede 110mm Sandal, $990.00