Rosamund MaryElizabeth Pike was born in 1979 in London, England, to a family of artistic professionals. Her mother, Caroline Friend, is a classical violinist, and her father, Julian Pike, is an opera singer. As a result of her parents' work, Pike spent her early childhood traveling around Europe, immersing herself in various cultures and artistic influences.
Pike's early education took place at Badminton School in Bristol, England, where she developed a strong foundation in the arts. She then began her acting career at the National Youth Theatre, appearing in productions such as "Romeo and Juliet." While still in school, Pike was spotted by an agent and signed, but she continued her education at Wadham College, Oxford, where she read English Literature and graduated with an upper second-class honors degree.
Pike's early television appearances included the UK series "Wives and Daughters" in 1999. Her big-screen debut came in 2002 with the James Bond film "Die Another Day," where she played the role of the enigmatic and beautiful "Miranda Frost" at the age of 23. Although her debut was a major Hollywood production, Pike went on to focus on smaller, independent films, including "Promised Land," "The Libertine," and "Pride & Prejudice," for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at The British Independent Film Awards.
Pike's subsequent work in Hollywood films included "Doom" and "Fracture," but she returned to smaller films with standout performances in "An Education," "Made in Dagenham," and "Barney's Version." Her stage work in England included appearances in "Johnny English Reborn" and "Wrath of the Titans," as well as the role of "Andromeda" in the sci-fi epic.
In 2009, Pike entered into a relationship with mathematical researcher Robie Uniacke, and they welcomed their first son, Solo, in May 2012. Pike continued to work in the film industry, landing the coveted title role in "Gone Girl" in 2014. The film received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, earning Pike a nomination for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, as well as nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes, and BAFTA. Pike gave birth to her second son with Uniacke in December 2014.