Heigl is a surname of German origin. It is most commonly found in Germany and among people of German ancestry in North America and other regions. The most widely known bearer of the name is Katherine Heigl (born 1978), an American actress and producer. She rose to prominence on the television series Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Izzie Stevens, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Heigl has also appeared in a number of popular films, including Knocked Up (2007), 27 Dresses (2008), and The Ugly Truth (2009). In addition to acting, she has pursued producing and has been involved in multiple film projects.