Trivia

Speaks Dutch, German, English and French.

Because she values her personal privacy, does not participate in social media at all.

Provides the Dutch-language narration for the Studio Tram Tour at Disney parks.

Was inspired to become an activist against corruption after playing Lenore in Taken (2008). She now serves as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime.

Wears size 11 shoes. Because of their large size, her shoes had to be especially made for her for the film GoldenEye (1995). In Love & Sex (2000), Jon Favreau's character jokes about how big her character's feet were.

Her two sisters are blonde and blue-eyed, while she is the only brunette.

Offered the lead female role in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), but turned it down.

While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) to promote her role of the comic relief in the James Bond film GoldenEye (1995), Famke gave Conan a first hand experience of her character's signature moves by performing them on him using the top of his desk. When she asked him if he would like the demonstration, Conan responded with "This is what we in the industry call a 'no-brainer'.".

Was cast as Serleena in Men in Black II (2002) but had to drop out due to a death in the family. Lara Flynn Boyle was cast in her place.

Originally, Famke Janssen was cast for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) series after her work on the Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) episode, The Perfect Mate (1992), and was to reprise her role as "Kamala". However, she wanted to leave herself open for feature film work and turned the role down. The role of "Jadzia Dax" was created to take the place of this character, which was performed by actress Terry Farrell.

While still a model, Famke appeared in a "Pantene" hair product commercial that was noticed by Bruce Willis who asked her to audition for a film he was co-writing titled Hudson Hawk (1991). She had to audition in London but didn't land the part.

At Columbia University she majored in writing and literature and studied stage craft then moved to Los Angeles.

Sisters Antoinette Beumer and Marjolein Beumer are a director and actress respectively.

Her sister was visiting Southeast Asia during the Tsunami on December 26, 2004, and had to flee the water to save her life.

Did all her own pool shots in Turn the River (2007).

Her favorite horror movie is The Shining (1980). Her all-time favorite movie is The Awful Truth (1937).

Has a Boston Terrier named Licorice.

Ranked #69 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" [2002].

Is a fan of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Attended Columbia University studying stage craft then move to LA where she was in TV series such as Melrose Place.

Her favorite movies of her career are Love & Sex (2000) and Turn the River (2007).

Turn the River (2007) was written for her by her The Treatment (2006) co-star Chris Eigeman.

Used to eat almonds and dried cranberries every day while filming X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

She began as a model working at one time for Yves Saint Laurent.

Majored in writing and literature at Columbia University.

Was considered to play Carrigan Crittenden in Casper (1995).

Did the voiceover for the [One Year Until Tokyo 2020] video for the 2021 Olympics.

Sister-in-law of Rik Launspach.

Ex-sister-in-law of director Joram Lürsen.