What award-winning actress Jessica Alba is doing now at 44 years old

Having recently returned to film after a lengthy hiatus, the actor Jessica Alba - who has just celebrated her 44th birthday - is now poised to appear alongside Andy García and Anthony Hopkins in a major biopic.

Slated for release later this year, Maserati: The Brothers will tell the story of the Italian family that created one of the world’s most iconic sports car brands.

Directed by Robert Moresco, the movie also stars Lorenzo De Moor, Michele Morrone, Salvatore Esposito, Maya Talem, Victoria Sophia and Annie Bezikian.

“Making space to accept myself”

As she looked ahead to her 45th year, Alba took to social media last week with a heartfelt birthday message in which she paid tribute to her children - and pledged to ease off on the “exhausting” demands she places on herself.

“An important part of my reflection is remembering the essence of who I am and the gratitude I have for what I have been given,” Alba wrote. “My babies, you are my greatest gifts. Thank you for choosing me to be your mama.”

The California native added: “Sometimes I get caught up in all the things of life and my drive for perfection is exhausting, so I’m making space to accept myself - flaws and all - and release the need to control.”

Alba shares three children with her ex, the film producer Cash Warren: daughters Honor, 16, and Haven, 13, and son Hayes, seven.

In January this year, Alba confirmed her split from Warren, whom she met in 2004 and married four years later. “I’ve been on a journey of self realization and transformation for years - both as an individual and in partnership with Cash,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I’m proud of how we’ve grown as a couple and in our marriage over the last 20 years and it’s now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals.”

In February, per People magazine, Alba then officially filed for divorce - citing irreconcilable differences - and sought joint custody of their children.

From actor to entrepreneur

An actor who rose to prominence at the turn of the millennium, when her starring role in the TV series Dark Angel brought her a Golden Globe nomination, Alba has featured in numerous major movies.

Her more than 40 film credits include Honey, Little Fockers and Valentine’s Day, in addition to two Fantastic Four films. The second, 2007’s Rise of the Silver Surfer, earned her a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award.

In recent years, however, Alba has been a less frequent screen presence, having also ventured into business as the founder and chief creative officer of the personal care firm The Honest Company.

Established in January 2012, Honest describes itself as a brand dedicated to offering “clean- and sustainably-designed products spanning categories across diapers, wipes, baby personal care, beauty, apparel, household care and wellness”.

Looking back on her decision to found Honest, Alba told Teen Vogue in 2017: “I had an allergic reaction to a product and I did research. I found out there are a lot of potentially harmful chemicals in everyday products, from laundry detergent to beauty products to personal care products […].

“I wanted a brand that had [a] safer alternative, an accessible price point, and a beautiful design.”

In the 13 years since its founding, Honest’s value has reached highs of well over $1bn, leading Forbes to estimate Alba’s personal net worth at around $340m in 2016.

However, the company’s market capitalization had slipped back to under $400m by the time Alba’s exit as chief creative officer was announced in April 2024.

In a statement, Honest said Alba would remain on the board of directors, but that her departure as CCO would allow her to “shift her creative energy to new endeavors”.

What are Alba’s upcoming films and TV shows?

Later in 2024, Alba ended a five-year absence from film with her role in Netflix’s action thriller Trigger Warning - a picture on which she also served as an executive producer.

This year, she is not only due to appear in Maserati: The Brothers, but is also set to star in Confessions On The 7:45, a page-to-small screen adaptation of Lisa Unger’s bestselling 2020 thriller of the same name.

Through her production company Metalmark Entertainment, which she created in 2024, Alba is executive producing this project, too. Established together with the producer Tracey Nyberg, Metalmark is described as focusing on “diverse, female-driven, and culturally rich storytelling”.

Meanwhile, it was reported late last month that Alba is to play the lead role in The Mark, a spy movie that’s expected to be filmed in Australia this summer.

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