Phoebe Belle Cates (born July 16, 1963) is a former American film actress, singer and model known primarily for her roles in several 1980s films, most notably Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins.\n', '

Cates was born in New York City, to a family of television and Broadway production insiders. She is the daughter of Lily and Joseph Cates (originally "Joseph Katz"), who was a major Broadway producer and a pioneering figure in television, and who helped create The $64,000 Question. Her late uncle, Gilbert Cates, produced numerous television specials, often in partnership with Cates\'s father, as well as several annual Academy Awards shows. Her father and maternal grandmother were of Russian-Jewish descent, and her maternal grandfather was Chinese-Filipino. Cates\' mother was born in Shanghai, China.\n', '

Cates attended the Hewitt School, the Professional Children\'s School, and the Juilliard School. When she was ten, she wanted to become a dancer. She eventually got a scholarship to the School of American Ballet, but after suffering a serious knee injury at age 15, she gave up her dancing career. She next began a career as a professional model, which was short-lived, although successful. Cates, however, did not like the industry: "It was just the same thing, over and over. After a while, I did it solely for the money."\n', '

Return to Phoebe Cates Autograph Profile