Hilary Swank Bomis Ring
Hilary Swank at Starpulse

Biography 1:
Hilary Swank was born in Bellingham, Washington. She has been swimming since the age of three, and competed in the Junior Olympics, as well as the Washington state championships. She also ranked fifth in Washington for all-around gymnastics.

Hilary started acting at an early age, and appeared in several local plays in Bellingham, including an appearance as "Mowgli" in "The Jungle Book" when she was only nine. She moved to Los Angeles with her mother Judy when she was 16, and attended South Pasadena High School. Times were tough, and she and her mom were forced to live out of their car for a while, but before long Hilary landed her first professional acting job: two lines on "Harry And The Hendersons".

She got her first real break when she was cast as Kimberly, Buffy's best friend and sidekick in the feature film, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Hilary has been married to actor Chad Lowe since September 1997.

Biography 2:
Not since Dustin Hoffman played Tootsie has a cross-dressing role garnered so much Oscar® attention. Hilary Swank's performance in Boys Don't Cry has earned her critical raves as well as a Golden Globe and Oscar® on her mantle. Hilary was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 30, 1974. She grew up in Bellingham, Washington. In her high school years she devoted time to the stage and athletics. As a jock Swank swam in the Junior Olympics and state championships.

She also ranked fifth in the state for gymnastics. Acting was also a major activity for Swank and she appeared in several local stage shows. At the age of sixteen she decided to pursue her acting career in Los Angeles. While still attending high school, she was able to land small roles in shows like Harry and the Hendersons, Growing Pains, and Evening Shade.

By 1992, Swank was a regular on the TV series Camp Wilder. That year she also received her first film credit, appearing in the movie version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Swank next appeared in a film that inpires the question "Was the world asking for another sequel?": The Next Karate Kid. The black belt almost turned to a black eye as the reviews for the film were dismal. Swank continued to appear in TV movies and small flicks, but then she landed the role that put her on most people's radar: Carly Reynolds in the long-running youth angst show Beverly Hills, 90210.

Her character was on the show for sixteen episodes, long enough to catch some attention. That same year, Swank exchanged vows with Rob Lowe's younger brother, Chad. However, his blushing bride soon started dressing like a man. Swank was throwing herself into preparations for her role in Boys Don't Cry. It was the real-life story of a young Nebraska woman, Teena Brandon, who lived as Brandon Teena and was subsequently raped and killed.

The film grabbed a lot of positive notices at places like the Toronto International Film Festival and suddenly Swank's name was being mentioned at awards season. She now has to make room on her mantle for an Oscar®, a Golden Globe and an Independent Spirit Award. Not bad for a 90210 survivor.