Uma Thurman on Doubt, Stardom and Finding Real Pride

It’s not every day you hear a big-name actor admit they rarely feel like the real deal. Yet, for Uma Thurman, that’s been the case, even with a career most would envy. She kicked things off young, landing a spot alongside John Malkovich and Glenn Close in the period drama Dangerous Liaisons at just 18. That’s a pretty solid start, but it wasn’t until she teamed up with Quentin Tarantino that things really took off. Her turn in Pulp Fiction didn’t just steal scenes—it nabbed her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and put her firmly on the map.

Despite the buzz, Thurman found herself struggling to land roles that felt right in the years that followed. Tarantino came calling again, though, casting her as The Bride in the two-part revenge saga Kill Bill. Those films pushed her to the edge, both physically and emotionally, and she ended up redefining what it meant to be a female action lead. Still, even with all that, she often felt unsatisfied with her work.

Shifting Gears and Chasing Satisfaction

While most punters know her for action-packed roles, Thurman took a different tack with Motherhood. The film, written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann, saw her playing a frazzled mum trying to throw the perfect birthday bash for her daughter. It wasn’t a blockbuster, but it gave her a chance to show off a more grounded, dramatic side. Reviews were decent, if not glowing, but for Thurman, the real win was personal.

Recognition came in a big way when she was honoured with a career achievement award at the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival. For once, she let herself feel a bit of pride. At the ceremony, she said,

“I hope I achieved something. Sometimes, I feel I have. Most of the time, I feel I haven’t. Being here now is my greatest achievement. You look at the hazing process of the acting community, and it’s worse than any college sorority.”

Hollywood’s Tough Crowd and Changing Fortunes

It’s no secret that Hollywood hasn’t always been kind to women as they get older, and even someone as well-liked as Thurman has seen her options narrow. Kill Bill could’ve sparked a major comeback, but instead, she found herself in a string of less mainstream projects. Still, she’s never been one to throw in the towel.

In recent years, she’s picked up a few roles that have put her back in the spotlight. While Dexter: Resurrections and The Old Guard 2 might not have the same cultural punch as Pulp Fiction or the personal touch of Motherhood, they show she’s not done yet. These days, Thurman seems to know her worth, even if she’s not always convinced she’s made it.