If you are a fan of movies and comics, you might have wondered: is Vanessa Kirby related to Jack Kirby? They share a common surname, but do they share a common ancestry? Are they distant cousins, or just coincidental namesakes?
Well, no. Despite the common surname, Vanessa Kirby and Jack Kirby are not related. However, there is a secret tie between them: Vanessa is starring in the next MCU project - The Fantastic Four as The Invisible Woman/Susan Storm... which is a creation of Jack Kirby! In this blog post, we will explore the origins and backgrounds of these two artists and reveal the truth about their relationship.
Key Takeaways:
- Vanessa Kirby and Jack Kirby are not related; they hail from distinct backgrounds, with Vanessa being an acclaimed English actress and Jack an iconic American comic book artist, each with their own unique heritage and contributions to their respective fields.
- Vanessa Kirby has garnered critical acclaim for her versatile roles in both television and film, including a memorable portrayal of Princess Margaret in "The Crown," showcasing her depth and range as an actress.
- Jack Kirby, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in comics, co-created numerous beloved characters and stories, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and culture at large, with a legacy that continues to influence and inspire.
Is Vanessa Kirby Related To Jack Kirby?
The short answer is no. Vanessa Kirby and Jack Kirby are not related by blood or marriage. They share a common surname, but they have different origins and backgrounds.
Vanessa Kirby is an English actress who rose to fame for her roles in The Crown, Mission: Impossible, and Pieces of a Woman. She was born in London, England, to Jane and Roger Kirby, a former magazine writer and a retired surgeon, respectively. She has two siblings, Joe and Juliet Kirby. Her ancestry is English, Irish, and Scottish.
Jack Kirby was an American comic book artist and writer who co-created many iconic characters such as Captain America, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Black Panther. He was born in New York City, USA, to Benjamin and Rose Kurtzberg, Jewish immigrants from Austria-Hungary. He had three brothers, David, Abraham, and Harry Kurtzberg. His original surname was Kurtzberg, but he changed it to Kirby to avoid anti-Semitism.
Therefore, Vanessa Kirby and Jack Kirby have no familial connection whatsoever. They are both talented artists in their own fields, but they come from different countries, cultures, and generations.
Who Is Vanessa Kirby?
Vanessa Nuala Kirby is an English actress who made her professional acting debut on stage in 2010. She won the BIZA Rising Star Award at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards for her performance in All My Sons by Arthur Miller. She also starred in other plays such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Women Beware Women, The Acid Test, and Three Sisters.
She made her television debut in 2011 in the BBC series The Hour and Great Expectations. She also appeared in other shows such as Labyrinth, The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Dresser, and The Crown. For her portrayal of Princess Margaret in The Crown (2016-2017), she won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She made her film debut in 2012 in the crime movie The Rise. She also starred in other movies such as About Time, Jupiter Ascending, Everest, Me Before You, Kill Command, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Hobbs & Shaw, Mr. Jones, Pieces of a Woman, The World to Come, Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 (upcoming), and Josephine (upcoming). For her performance as a grief-stricken woman in Pieces of a Woman (2020), she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
As of 2024, Vanessa Kirby is 35 years old and is in a relationship with Paul Rabil, an American former professional lacrosse player and co-founder of Premier Lacrosse League.
Who Is Jack Kirby?
Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg) was an American comic book artist and writer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and prolific creators in the medium. He began his career in the 1930s as a freelancer for various studios and publishers. He co-created Captain America with Joe Simon in 1940 and worked on various genres such as romance, horror, westerns, crime, and humor.
He joined Marvel Comics (then known as Timely Comics) in the 1960s and collaborated with Stan Lee to create many of the company's most popular characters such as Fantastic Four, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, Avengers, Black Panther, Silver Surfer, Ant-Man, Wasp, Nick Fury, Inhumans, Eternals, and more. He also developed his own style of cosmic storytelling and imagery that became known as "Kirby Krackle".
After leaving Marvel in 1970 due to creative differences, Kirby moved to DC Comics, where he crafted his magnum opus, The Fourth World saga, encompassing New Gods, Mister Miracle, Forever People, and Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. He also introduced characters such as OMAC, Kamandi, The Demon, and Darkseid. Kirby returned to Marvel in 1976, contributing to Black Panther, Captain America, The Eternals, Devil Dinosaur, and Machine Man, and expanded his influence into animation, film, and television with projects like Thundarr the Barbarian, The New Fantastic Four, and Lord of Light.
Kirby passed away in 1994 at 76 from heart failure. He was posthumously inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1997, receiving numerous awards including the Shazam Award, Inkpot Award, Eagle Award, Harvey Award, Alley Award, and Saturn Award. His legacy as a monumental p in comic book history continues to inspire creators across various mediums.