Hilary Swank Biography

Hilary Swank is an American actress famous for her award winning performances in films like ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. The recipient of Academy Award for Best Actress twice, this talented actress is open to experimentation with roles and does not shy away from playing unglamorous characters. Her interest in acting was evident from her childhood when at the age of eight she announced to her family that she was going to be an actress. She had a difficult childhood, plagued with poverty, and her story is a classic example of how one can surmount life’s challenges with hard work and determination to achieve great success. As a teenager she would escape into the imaginary world of novels and movies in order to distance herself from her difficult domestic life. She was active in her school and regional theater, and excelled in swimming and gymnastics. At the age of 16 she moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue her acting career. She made her film debut with a small role in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and played minor roles in many other films. She got her big break when she was chosen to play the lead in “The Next Karate Kid’, a role which several other actresses were also vying for. In addition to films, Swank has also appeared in various television shows.