Franka Potente (born July 22, 1974) is a German film actress. She first appeared in the comedy After Five in the Forest Primeval (1995) and gained critical recognition in the action thriller Lola rennt (released in English as Run Lola Run) (1998). Potente received Germany's highest film and television awards for her performances in Run Lola Run and Opernball. After half a decade of critically acclaimed roles in German films, Potente gained Hollywood's attention by playing the role of Barbara Buckley in Blow (2001) and the female lead with Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity (2002). Potente has performed leading and supporting roles in a variety of low-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to science fiction and action thrillers.

Early life

The elder of two children, Potente was born in Münster,Interview with Marie Claire (2002)(German) North Rhine-Westphalia, and raised in nearby Dülmen.Franka Potente Her mother, Hildegard, is a medical assistant, and her father, Dieter Potente, is a teacher.Franka Potente Biography (1974-) Her Italian surname stems from her great-grandfather, a slate mason who came to Germany from Sicily in the 1800s. At age 17, she spent some months as an exchange student in Humble, Texas.[[Berliner Morgenpost], 3/6/2005] (German)