Hilary Ann Swank is an American actress. Hilary was discovered as a child by producer Suzy Sachs, who coached her in acting. When she was nine years old, she starred in her first play as "Mowgli" in "The Jungle Book". In 1990, Hilary and her mother moved to Los Angeles, where she enrolled in South Pasadena High School, and started acting professionally. She appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) but The Next Karate Kid (1994), where she got the part competing against hundreds of other actresses, was her breakout role. Ever since then, she has been much in demand and has worked non-stop in movies. She won the Best Actress Oscar for Boys Don't Cry (1999). She starred in a few minor films before starring in Clint Eastwood's boxing drama Million Dollar Baby (2004) that won her a Golden Globe and a SAG Award, as well as her second Academy Award. She is two for two at the Oscars, a feat she shares only with a few other women. Off-screen, she married Chad Lowe on September 28, 1997. An aficionado for anything that involves the outdoors, she enjoys: sky diving, river rafting and skiing.

Born July 30, 1974, her primary personality traits are represented by the Chinese Zodiac elemental animal sign, the Wood Tiger. Passion and creativity are the hallmarks of the Wood Tiger. What a great sign for the performing arts or any career that puts she in front of the public where she can use her creative ability and, or, leadership skills. She is the most mellow of Tigers and therefore not so domineering. She tends to be very popular, especially since she is probably charismatic.