Free Women's Blog

Hilary Ann Swank (born on July 30, 1974) is an American actress, beginning her career in Hollywood with a small role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), followed by an important role in The Next Karate Kid (1994). She is the proud owner of two Academy Awards for her performances in Boys Don’t Cry (1999) and in Million Dollar Baby (2004).

Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, growing up in a trailer park in the neighborhood of Lake Samish in Bellingham, Washington, after previously living in Spokane, Washington.

At the age of nine she first appeared on stage in The Jungle Book, also becoming involved in school and community theater programs. Swank attended Sehome High School in Bellingham, till she was sixteen. She moved to Los Angeles with her mother where Swank went to South Pasadena High School and began professional acting. She earned her first money with the appearances in TV programs like Evening Shade and Growing Pains.

In September 1997, Swank got a role in Beverly Hills, 90210 but although she was promised a two year role, it only lasted for 16 seasons. However, it was a lucky break, as she was cast in Boys Don’t Cry. Swank got positive reviews for that role, being considered by critics as the best female performance of 1999, and ultimately she won the Golden Globe and Oscar as Best Actress. Her performance in Clint Eastwood’s film, Million Dollar Baby (2004) earned her another Golden Globe and Oscar as Best Actress. She is one of the few actresses to be nominated for the Oscar twice and also winning them.

In 2006, Swank became the spokesperson for Guerlain. The following year, she was the star and executive producer of the drama Freedom Writers, receiving mostly positive reviews for it. Swank also starred in the horror movie, The Reaping (2007) and in the romantic comedy, P.S. I love You (2007).

In January 2007, she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, being the 2,325th star presented. Swanks consider herself “an actor, not a celebrity”, a spiritual individual, although she is not a member of any officially recognized religion.

Swank married actor Chad Lowe in September 1997, after they have met in 1992. At her first Oscar, she forgot to mention and thank Lowe, so at her almost every appearance in public, tried to make up for it. At her second Oscar winning, Lowe was the first person on the list she thanked. In the end they separated in January 2006, divorcing in May 2006. Later on, in December 2006, she confirmed that she is involved in a relationship with her agent, John Campisi.

Filmography

Something Borrowed (2011) (pre-production) (rumored)
The Resident (2010) (post-production) …. Dr. Juliet Dermer
Betty Anne Waters (2009) (completed) …. Betty Anne Waters
Amelia (2009) …. Amelia Earhart
Birds of America (2008) …. Laura
P.S. I Love You (2007) …. Holly
The Reaping (2007) …. Katherine
Freedom Writers (2007) …. Erin Gruwell
The Black Dahlia (2006) …. Madeleine Linscott

Million Dollar Baby (2004) …. Maggie Fitzgerald
Red Dust (2004) …. Sarah Barcant
Iron Jawed Angels (2004) (TV) …. Alice Paul
11:14 (2003) …. Buzzy
The Core (2003) …. Maj. Rebecca Childs
The Space Between (2002)
Insomnia (2002/I) …. Ellie Burr
The Affair of the Necklace (2001) …. Jeanne St. Remy de Valois
The Gift (2000) …. Valerie Barksdale
The Audition (2000)
Boys Don’t Cry (1999) …. Brandon Teena
“Beverly Hills, 90210″ …. Carly Reynolds (16 episodes, 1997-1998)
Heartwood (1998) …. Sylvia Orsini

Quiet Days in Hollywood (1997) …. Lolita
“Leaving L.A.” …. Tiffany Roebuck (6 episodes, 1997)
Kounterfeit (1997) …. Colleen
The Sleepwalker Killing (1997) (TV) …. Lauren Schall
Dying to Belong (1997) (TV) …. Lisa Connors
Terror in the Family (1996) (TV) …. Deena Martin
Sometimes They Come Back… Again (1996) (V) …. Michelle Porter
The Next Karate Kid (1994) …. Julie Pierce
Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story (1994) (TV) …. Patty Yaklich
“Camp Wilder” …. Danielle (1 episode, 1992)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) …. Kimberly
“Growing Pains” …. Sasha Serotsky (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
“Evening Shade” …. Aimee 1 (2 episodes, 1991-1992)
“Harry and the Hendersons” (1 episode, 1991)
“ABC TGIF” (1990) TV series …. Danielle (unknown episodes)