Kate "Katie" Noelle Holmes (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have ranged from art house films such as The Ice Storm to thrillers such as Abandon to blockbusters such as Batman Begins.

In early 2005, Holmes began a highly publicized relationship with actor Tom Cruise, which drew attention due to the sixteen-year age difference between the two. In June, two months after they first met, Holmes and Cruise were engaged. Their relationship made Holmes the subject of international media attention, much of it negative, including speculation the relationship was a publicity stunt to promote the couple's films.Holmes, who was raised a Roman Catholic,joined the Church of Scientology shortly after the couple began dating.On April 18, 2006, Holmes gave birth to their daughter, Suri. On November 18, 2006, she and Cruise were married in Italy.

Celebrity News : Broadway show picketed by Scientology protesters?

The actress starred in the first preview performance of All My Sons with husband Tom Cruise looking proudly on.

Outside, around 30 demonstrators lined the pavement by the Schoenfeld Theatre in New York, loudly protesting against the controversial Church of Scientology.

They shouted "Scientology kills!" and held up posters attacking the religion, which counts Cruise and Holmes as its most high-profile members.

One placard read: "Free Katie - Keep Tom" while another said: "Run, Katie, Run!"

The group called themselves Anonymous and many wore masks. One said: "We are not boycotting Katie, we are not boycotting the play, we are protesting against Scientology." Their placards echoed the message of the 'Free Katie' website set up when the former Dawson's Creek star began dating Cruise in 2005.

Cruise entered the theatre moments before curtain up and his arrival was greeted by cheers from the audience. He wandered around shaking hands with theatregoers and hugged Dustin Hoffman, his co-star in Rain Man, after spotting him sitting a few rows away.

After the performance, the Mission: Impossible star led two standing ovations for his wife. Asked for his verdict, he said: "Did you see it? She was extraordinary."

The Arthur Miller play, which co-stars John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest, officially opens on October 16.

Holmes, 29, is in competition with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who is playing across town in a revival of Equus.