1983
In Flashdance (1983), the birth date that she fills out on the application form is her actual birth date in real life.
1984
Was offered the part of "Apollonia" for Purple Rain (1984). She turned it down because she wanted to concentrate on college.
1986
She was the original choice for the lead role in Pretty in Pink (1986), but the part went to Molly Ringwald.
1990
Thieves took nearly $1,000 from her hotel room while she was on location in Manila, Philippines, shooting the movie Tinikling ou 'La madonne et le dragon' (1990) (TV) (aka "Madonna and the Dragon"), in 1989.
1993
While at Yale, she was classmates with David Duchovny, who suggested her for a part on "The X Files" (1993) (which went to Gillian Anderson).
1994
Close friend of Quentin Tarantino. He often stayed at her home while struggling as a director before making Pulp Fiction (1994).
1995
Good friends with Elizabeth Berkley. They each appeared in a Joe Eszterhas-written film (Berkley: Showgirls (1995); Beals: Flashdance (1983)), and they appeared together in Roger Dodger (2002). and the last season of "The L Word" (2004).
1995
In Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), she plays a woman passing for white who is actually the daughter of an interracial couple. In real life, this is Beals's racial background, too.
1997
Is a huge fan of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997) and wanted the cast to guest star on "The L Word" (2004).
1999
Turned down the opportunity to play herself in "It's Like, You Know..." (1999).
2001
In the film The Anniversary Party (2001), Beals plays a character who takes photographs of performers which she then gives away, usually to the subjects of the photos. Beals actually does this.
2004
She and her character on "The L Word" (2004), "Bette Porter", are both Yale graduates with an African-American father and a Caucasian mother.
2005
18 October 2005: Gave birth to her first child, a girl. Father is Beals' husband of seven years, Canadian entrepreneur Ken Dixon.