Hilary Swank was born on the 30th July 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
At the age of 9 she starred in her first play as Mowgli in The Jungle Book.
As a child she competed in the junior Olympics and Washington State swimming championships.
Although her first film role was a part in Buffy The Vampire Slayer her breakthrough role is considered to be The Next Karate Kid although in box office terms the film is considered a flop.
Hilary to date has so far won two Oscars for Boy's Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby.
Some of her many films are Kounterfeit, Quiet Days In Hollywood, Heartwood, The Audition, The Affair Of The Necklace, Insomnia, The Core, The Black Dahlia, Red Dust, Freedom Writers, The Reaping and Amelia.
Her full name is Hilary Ann Swank and future films to look out for are Betty Anne Waters, New Years Eve, The Resident, Nicholas North, Fangland, Labyrinth, Intimate Strangers, Falling Out Of Fashion, Dreams Of A Dying Heart, French Women Don't Get Fat and You're Not You.
Read some Hilary Swank quotes below.
You see these incredible bodies in Africa that are all muscle. They're running to hunt in these tribes. And you think, 'How does the body look like that?' But if you're utilizing your body, you recognize it is a machine and it can be capable of whatever you need it to be.
I cut coupons, love specials and believe in buying toilet paper and toothpaste in bulk. It's just who I am.
(On relationships) I think that if you can grow together, you'll stay together. The most important qualities in making a relationship work are a blend of three ingredients: communication, respect and believing in another person. I've been with my husband for over twelve years. That's what made our relationship work. We have a mutual respect, the communication is key and believing in one another makes you feel like you can do anything. (Said before she split from her husband)
(Discussing achieving goals in life) As in life, your mind can be the hugest obstacle or tool, depending on how you choose to use it. And I find that a lot of people who are successful in life say, "I can do this, and I will do this." Their minds don't get in their way; whereas people who wake up and say, "Oh, I can't," their mind is in their way, and it's going to stop them from doing what they need to do to achieve their dream.
(Giving advice to actors) You need to study and work on your craft. If you're not prepared when that dream audition comes, you are not going to get that opportunity. To me, the definition of success is when opportunity meets preparation. So I really recommend that actors always work on their craft and their skills. Obviously you can't make a living doing that, but you can get a lot of joy from it and learn and be inspired by the people you're working with and by your teachers and by the material. As long as you're still being inspired by it, you're going to find joy. Then hopefully the role will come along. I just want every actor to know to keep chipping away at it.
(On playing Annie Sullivan) I think when you're playing a real character you have an extra responsibility to do it really right, so because of that, I do extensive research. I really try and figure out the person inside and out. I read the lines, but I read in-between the lines and try and find the qualities in that person that makes them human and I hopefully try and bring that out in what I do.
My most annoying question is 'Hilary, are you ever going to play a pretty girl.?
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