Lena Headey Facts: 15 Things You (Probably) Don't Know About the '300' Star

Ever since breaking out in the states in "300," Lena Headey has been lighting up the small and silver screen playing strong, iconic women.

Over 20 years ago, Headey's film career was jump-started by a chance encounter at the Royal National Theatre in high school. Today, the actress plays character-you-love-to-hate Cersei Lannister in the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones," but, this Friday, the actress will return to theaters as the popular warrior queen for another go-round in "300: Rise of an Empire."

From hilarious fan encounters to her love of horror films, here are 15 things you probably don't know about Lena Headey.

1. Headey was born in Bermuda, where her father -- a Yorkshire police cadet -- was stationed. She grew up on the island country before her family moved back to Huddersfield, Yorkshire, when she was five.

2. Peter Dinklage and Headey were friends before "Game of Thrones," prompting the actor to recommend the English actress for the role of Cersei Lannister.

3. She practices boxing and yoga in her free time in order to stay fit.

4. The actress was first spotted by a casting agent in a one-off show when she was 17 years old. Realizing the young woman's talent, the agent took a photo and asked her to audition. The chance encounter resulted in her getting cast in her first feature film, "Waterland" (1992), which co-starred Ethan Hawke and Jeremy Irons. See More