- She ran away at age 9 to escape the Children of God cult that her parents were a part of. River Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, Summer Phoenix, Rain Phoenix and Joaquin Phoenix were also child members of Children of God.
- Legally emancipated herself from her parents at age 15.
- When she was 14, she was sent to a drug rehab center because of her appearance, even though she wasn't on drugs. She hated it, ran away and was homeless for a year.
- Did not speak English until age 10, when she and her family moved to the United States.
- At age 15, she left to live on her own, legally emancipated, supporting herself with several odd jobs, often having to lie about her age. Living on her own meant being forced to live on the streets for a short time, but despite this she later attended art and beauty school before heading to Los Angeles where she was found outside a gym because thought it was "too corny" and had a chance encounter with independent film director Gregg Araki. Her performance in Araki's dark road movie earned her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 1996 Independent Spirit Awards.
- She revealed that she still goes to Marilyn Manson (her ex-boyfriend)'s concerts: "What can I say? I'm a groupie but without the sex".
- She made $55,000 per episode in her early years of Charmed (1998), which was bumped up to $102,000 per episode from season 7, onwards.
- The New York Times reported that Rose McGowan was one of at least 8 women with whom producer Harvey Weinstein settled. The incident involving McGowan and Weinstein happened in a hotel room during the Sundance Film Festival in 1997. The Times added that the $100,000 payment was "not to be construed as an admission," but rather to "avoid litigation and buy peace," according to an official document. Although she declined to comment for that story, McGowan has often hinted that she was sexually assaulted by a studio mogul. She even referred to the incident as "rape" on Twitter, but didn't disclose who raped her, only giving multiple clues, that the man was probably Weinstein. (October 2017)
- One of Rose's favorite episodes on Charmed (1998) was Charmed Noir (2004), as she loves anything from the 40s time period, which was what the episode was based upon.
- Told Howard Stern that she broke up with Marilyn Manson because she tired of the rock and roll lifestyle he engaged in. When pressed further, she admitted that drug use was a big part of that lifestyle. (October 2001)
- She frequently bases her "look" on the style of stars from the 1940s, stating that Marlene Dietrich and Ava Gardner are her "style icons".
- She dyed her hair blonde, in order to contrast her black hair from Neve Campbell's, in the horror movie Scream (1996).
- She was considered a loner in high school. She wore black and spent most of her time in the library.
- She did all her own stunts in the horror movie Scream (1996).
- On February 22, 2006, she appeared at UC Irvine to help raise awareness and confront myths about sexual assault on college campuses across the nation. The event was free and open to the public.
- Has agoraphobia and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
- Was engaged to director Robert Rodriguez from 2006 to 2009.
- Her dog, "Fester", was named after "Uncle Fester" on The Addams Family (1964).
- While filming Scream (1996), she discovered that she could actually fit through a pet flap.
- The WB network announced that she would be playing Paige Matthews, the long-lost, baby half-sister of Prue, Piper and Phoebe on the television series Charmed (1998). She was cast after Shannen Doherty, who played eldest sister Prue Halliwell, was fired when she refused to sign a two-year contract extension. (June 2001)
- A tattoo of a woman on her right shoulder has been surgically removed.
- (1998-2001) Was engaged to Marilyn Manson.
- Is the favorite actress of both Brian De Palma and Quentin Tarantino.
- She knits, gardens, collects shoes and collects Marlene Dietrich memorabilia.
- She admires Sophia Loren, Ralph Fiennes, Susan Sarandon, Linda Fiorentino, Clara Bow, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Jessica Lange and Ava Gardner.
- Asked to have the stripper pole sanitized before doing her go-go dance routine in Planet Terror (2007).
- Auditioned for the role of Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted (1999), which eventually went to Angelina Jolie.
- (October 12, 2013) Married her boyfriend of a year Davey Detail following a 3-month-long engagement.
- She loves singing karaoke to Patsy Cline.
- Modeled as a child and dreams of being a museum curator.
- Was supposed to star in the lead role in a remake of Red Sonja (1985). Two promotional posters for the movie were released during the Comic Con in 2008. Both featured McGowan, dressed as Red Sonja with fierce red hair. On one she was licking blood from a sword and on the other she was kneeling on a pile of skulls with red plots flying around her. Both posters promoted the movie to be released in 2009. It was never released that year and the project never materialized.
- Watched Viva Las Vegas (1964) many times in order to prepare for her role of Ann-Margret in the miniseries Elvis (2005).
- Has two Boston terriers named Bug and Fester.
- Her mother, Terri, was a writer, but she now works for Microsoft. Her father, Daniel, is an artist. Her parents divorced by the time she was 10 and she went to live with grandmother in Washington. Rose has two brothers, two sisters and two half siblings.
- After Rose's arrival in the United States, the future actress took a brief job at a McDonald's fast food restaurant. During her 5-day stint at the restaurant Rose became a vegetarian in protest of the non-vegetarian options at McDonald's. However, her efforts were pointless and Rose quit the job after just a week.
- Absolutely hates fish.
- She adores British pop music.
- Her parents were both American-born. She has Irish, French, and English ancestry.
- She won the role of Amy Blue in The Doom Generation (1995), after Jordan Ladd backed out.
- She is a huge fan of Elizabeth Taylor.
- She won the role of Tatum Riley in Scream (1996) after Melinda Clarke turned it down. Coincidentally, the two would later work together when Clarke guest starred on Charmed (1998) in October 2002.
- In the movie Killer Rats (2003), the character Rose is based on the writer's experience with the actress Rose McGowan, and played by character actress Eileen Grubba.
- Is mentioned in David Navarro's book "Don't Try This At Home". It features pictures of her alone and also with her ex, rock musician Marilyn Manson.
- (February 1, 2016) Filed for divorce from her husband of 2 years Davey Detail following an 8-month-long engagement.
- Collaborated with musician BT on the song "Superfabulous", found on his 2003 CD, "Emotional Technology".
- Broke her left foot after running into the edge of a doorway made of stone. (April 2008)
- Ranked #39 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
- She sings in BT's song, "Superfabulous", with Scott McCloud.
- She was considered for the role of Trixie in Speed Racer (2008), but the role was given to Christina Ricci.
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