"Gal" Friday! Estella Warren

Man, this was one of those weeks where I was really conflicted over the selection, but the "gal" that I have finally chosen endured a pretty rough week; so she more than earned her spot in the Catacombs.

Estella Warren first caught the celebrity spotlight as part of the national synchronized swimming team of Canada. She eventually scored the senior national championship at age seventeen, Warren also earned the chance to move on to the 1996 Summer Olympics. She is a three-time Canadian national champion, and the solo bronze medallist at the 1995 Junior World Championships. 

Then she became a fashion model appearing in Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and two televised commercials for Chanel No. 5 perfume. She was named Maxim Magazine's Hottest Woman in 2000 and was ranked #61 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. Warren has also appeared in ad campaigns for UGG Australia, Andrew Marc, Perry Ellis, Nine West, Cartier, Volvo, De Beers and she has modeled for Victoria's Secret.

Acting was a natural offshoot and her film roles include Driven, Planet of the Apes (2001), Kangaroo Jack, The Cooler, and on TV That '70s Show, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Ghost Whisperer.

 On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 she "acted out" after being arrested, initially fleeing the scene where she allegedly hit three parked cars with her Toyota Prius. Police found and arrested her for DUI. During her arrest she resisted being handcuffed and actually kicked the officer doing the deed. Later at the police station, as she was being booked, she managed to slip out of her handcuffs and attempted to escape, but she was quickly recaptured. Ultimately she was charged not only with the DUI, but also resisting arrest, assault and felony escape. Her bail has been set at $100,000. 

I don't know if the product endorsements have dried up or her acting gigs aren't shaking out sufficiently, but even at thirty-two, Estella could certainly turn that swimming resume into a coaching or mentoring role for young athletes. She is nice to look at in a bathing suit (or without).