Georgina Cates, the British actress who appeared in films including “An Awfully Big Adventure” and the TV series “2point4 Children,” has died. She was 51.
Cates’s death was announced by her daughter, Naiia, on Instagram in June, though it had not been reported until now.
“My beautiful, free-spirited mom lived a hard life and still found ways to make herself and others laugh and smile <3 now she can rest easy,” Naiia wrote. “I will always see you in black and white photos, Virginia slims, baggy clothes, no bras, big sunglasses, doodling while talking, pleasers, and flip flops and everything in between. I love you, thank you for your creativity, curiosity and your bravery to always be true to yourself — no matter what.”
Cates began her career on “2point4 Children” in 1991, in which she played the character of Jenny Porter. She went on to appear in TV shows including “Casualty,” “An Exchange of Fire,” “Chris Cross,” “Crimewatch File” and “The Bill” through the early 1990s before making her feature film debut in “Au Pair” in 1994, which followed a young Welsh woman as she leaves her quiet country for Germany in search of adventure.
In 1995, she starred in “An Awfully Big Adventure” alongside Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. She also appeared in 1998’s “Clay Pigeons” with Joaquin Phoenix, Vince Vaughn and Janaene Garofalo, in addition to “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” and “Everlasting,” among other projects.
Georgina Cates was born on Jan. 14, 1975 in Colchester, England, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. From 1997 to 2005, Cates was married to Skeet Ulrich, whom she met at an Oscars party, and the couple had twins, Naiia and Jakob. On Naiia’s Instagram post, Ulrich commented “I love you more than words can say sweetheart ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Cates is survived by her daughter, Naiia, and son, Jakob.