Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank

Swank at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011.
Born Hilary Ann Swank
July 30, 1974 (1974-07-30) (age 37)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupation Actress, producer
Years active 1990–present
Spouse Chad Lowe (1997–2007)

Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is an American actress. Swank's film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid (1994). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, as transman Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry (1999) and as struggling waitress-turned-boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby (2004). Since 2003, Swank has also worked as an executive producer.

Contents

Early life

Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] Her mother, Judy Kay (née Clough),[2] was a secretary and dancer, and her father, Stephen Michael Swank, was an officer in the Air National Guard and later a traveling salesman.[3] She has a brother, Daniel, who is eight years her senior.[4] Her surname, originally Schwenk, is of German origin.[5] Many of Swank's family members hail from Ringgold County, Iowa,[1] and her maternal grandmother was of Spanish and Shoshone (Native American) ancestry.[6] After having lived in Spokane, Washington, Swank's family moved to a trailer park near Lake Samish in Bellingham, Washington when Swank was six.[7]

She attended Happy Valley Elementary, Fairhaven Middle, then Sehome High School in Bellingham until she was sixteen.[6][8] She also competed in the Junior Olympics and the Washington state championships in swimming; she ranked fifth in the state in all-around gymnastics.

Swank made her first appearance on stage when she was nine years old, starring in The Jungle Book.[8] She became involved in school and community theater programs, including those of the Bellingham Theatre Guild and The Seattle Children's Theater.

When she was fifteen, her parents separated, and she and her mother, supportive of her daughter's desire to act, moved to Los Angeles, where they lived out of their car until Swank's mother saved enough money to rent an apartment.[7] Swank has called her mother the inspiration for her acting career and her life.[9] In California, Swank enrolled in South Pasadena High School, dropping out later. She described her time at South Pasadena High School: “I felt like such an outsider. I didn’t feel like I fit in. I didn’t belong in any way. I didn’t even feel like the teachers wanted me there. I just felt like I wasn’t seen or understood.”[7] She explained her becoming an actress out of feeling as an outsider: “As a kid I felt that I belonged only when I read a book or saw a movie, and could get involved with a character. It was natural that I became an actress because I longed so much to be those other people, or at least to play them”.[10]

Career

1992–1999

Swank made her movie debut in 1992 in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, after which she played in the direct-to-video drama Quiet Days in Hollywood, where she co-starred with her future husband Chad Lowe.[4] Her first leading film role was in The Next Karate Kid (1994), which utilized her gymnastics background and paired her with Pat Morita. It was the fourth movie in the Karate Kid series. In 1995 she appeared with British actor Bruce Payne in Kounterfeit. In September 1997 Swank was cast as single mother Carly Reynolds on Beverly Hills, 90210. She was initially promised it would be a two-year role, but saw her character written out after 16 episodes in January 1998.[6] Swank later stated that she was devastated at being cut from the show, thinking, "If I'm not good enough for 90210, I'm not good enough for anything."[11]

The firing freed her to audition for the role of Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry. Swank reduced her body fat to seven percent in preparation for the role. Many critics hailed hers as the best female performance of 1999, and Swank's work ultimately won her the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Actress.[6] Swank had earned only $75 per day for her work on Boys Don't Cry, culminating in a total of $3,000.[12] Her earnings were so low that she had not even earned enough to qualify for health insurance.[13]

1999–present

Swank again won the Best Actress Oscar, and another Golden Globe, for playing a boxer in Clint Eastwood's 2004 film Million Dollar Baby, a role for which she underwent training in the ring and gained 19 pounds of muscle.[13] With her second Oscar, she had joined the ranks of Vivien Leigh, Helen Hayes, Sally Field, and Luise Rainer as the only actresses to have been nominated for Academy Awards twice and win both times.[14] After winning her second Oscar, she said, "I don't know what I did in this life to deserve this. I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream."[13]

In 2006 Swank signed a three-year contract with Guerlain for the women's fragrance Insolence.[15] She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 8, 2007. Hers was the 2,325th star presented.[16][17]

In 2007 Swank starred in Freedom Writers, a drama about a real-life teacher, Erin Gruwell, who inspired a California high school class. Many reviews of Swank's performance were positive, with one critic noting that she "brings credibility" to the role,[18] and another stating that her performance reaches a "singular lack of artifice, stripping herself back to the bare essentials".[19] Swank next starred in The Reaping, a horror film released on April 5, 2007, in which she played a debunker of religious phenomena. Swank convinced the producers to move the film's setting from New England to the Deep South, and the movie was being filmed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina struck.[20] The same year, she also appeared in the romantic comedy P.S. I Love You alongside Gerard Butler.[20][21]

Swank portrayed the pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart in the biopic Amelia, a film she also co-executive produced.[22] Filming occurred in the summer of 2008 in a number of international locations. Swank met Robert Bresnik, a San Diego artist who supported her role as Earhart by producing several photographic reproductions of the flyer, at Legoland in 2008. Bresnik's grandfather Albert Bresnik was Earhart's official photographer, and he owned the original negatives of his grandfather's shoots.

Swank is also attached to star in the Hollywood remake of Intimate Strangers.[23] In addition, it was incorrectly reported that Swank would play a lead role in, and produce, a film adaptation of the John Marks novel Fangland.[24][25]

Swank developed potential health problems through certain preparations for her roles, including weight gain and loss for Boys Don't Cry. She has stated that she would "do what [she] need[s] to make [the role] believable and to make it work" and that her "battle scars are a reminder that you're alive and human and that you bleed."[26]

Personal life

Swank married Chad Lowe on September 28, 1997. The two met in 1992 on the set of Quiet Days in Hollywood.[4] They separated in January 2006,[27] and in May 2006, they announced that they were divorcing. In December 2006, Swank stated that she was dating her agent, John Campisi.[28]

In October 2011, Swank attracted controversy for attending an event in Chechnya's capital Grozny on the 35th birthday of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov on October 5.[29] After wishing him "happy birthday Mr President", she reportedly claimed knowledge about Kadyrov saying: "I read. I do my research".[30] Following criticism from human rights groups, who report having informed her about the human rights abuses in Chechnya prior to the event, asking her to reconsider her participation,[31][32] Swank said she was unaware that Kadyrov had been accused of human rights violations and that she "deeply regrets" taking part in the lavish concert, and will donate her personal appearance fees "to various charitable organizations."[33]

Swank has stated that she believes in a Higher Power, but is not a member of any organized religion.[34]

Filmography

List of film and television credits
Year Title Role Notes
1991–1992 Evening Shade Aimee #1 TV series
1991 Harry and the Hendersons Guest star TV series
1991–1992 Growing Pains Sasha Serotsky TV series
1992 Camp Wilder Danielle TV series
1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Kimberly Hannah
1994 Next Karate Kid, TheThe Next Karate Kid Julie Pierce
1994 Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story Patty TV movie
1996 Sometimes They Come Back... Again Michelle Porter
1996 Terror in the Family Deena Martin TV movie
1996 Kounterfeit Coleen
1997 Quiet Days in Hollywood Lolita
1997 Sleepwalker Killing, TheThe Sleepwalker Killing Lauren Schall Lifetime TV movie
1997 Leaving L.A. Tiffany Roebuck TV series
1997 Dying to Belong Lisa Connors TV movie
1997–1998 Beverly Hills, 90210 Carly Reynolds TV series
1998 Heartwood Sylvia Orsini
1999 Boys Don't Cry Brandon Teena
2000 Gift, TheThe Gift Valerie Barksdale Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
2000 Audition, TheThe Audition Short subject
2001 Affair of the Necklace, TheThe Affair of the Necklace Jeanne St. Rémy de Valois
2002 Space Between, TheThe Space Between Short subject
2002 Insomnia Detective Ellie Burr Nominated—Empire Award for Best Actress
2003 11:14 Buzzy Also Executive Producer
2003 Core, TheThe Core Major Rebecca Childs
2004 Million Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald
2004 Red Dust Sarah Barcant
2004 Iron Jawed Angels Alice Paul
2006 Black Dahlia, TheThe Black Dahlia Madeleine Linscott
2007 Freedom Writers Erin Gruwell Also Executive Producer
2007 Reaping, TheThe Reaping Professor Katherine Winter
2007 P. S. I Love You Holly Kennedy Irish Film & Television Audience Award for Best International Actress
2008 Birds of America Laura
2009 Amelia Amelia Earhart
2010 Conviction Betty Anne Waters
2011 Resident, TheThe Resident Dr. Juliet Devereau Also Executive Producer
2011 New Year's Eve Claire Morgan

References

  1. ^ a b "Senate Resolution 16 – Introduced". The Iowa Legislature. 2005-04-19. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=BillInfo&Service=Billbook&ga=81&hbill=SR16. 
  2. ^ "Hilary Swank". Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project. http://iagenweb.org/ringgold/biographical/files/hillaryswank.html. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
  3. ^ "Hilary Swank Biography (1974–)". Filmreference.com. http://www.filmreference.com/film/67/Hilary-Swank.html. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  4. ^ a b c "Hilary Swank Biography". Yahoo! Inc.. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800020739/bio. 
  5. ^ "The Swank Family". Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project. http://iagenweb.org/ringgold/familypages/files/fam-swank.html. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
  6. ^ a b c d "Interview". Inside the Actors Studio. 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USmlFl9aSEs. 
  7. ^ a b c Longsdorf, Amy (2007-01-03). "Swank: Acting gave me sense of focus". TimesLeader. http://web.archive.org/web/20070110020702/http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/entertainment/16372262.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-10. 
  8. ^ a b Tiscali UK (2006). "Hilary Swank Biography". tiscali.film & tv web site. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/hilary_swank_biog/2. Retrieved 2006-11-24.  Biography spreads across 9 web pages. High School information is on page 2.
  9. ^ "Hilary Swank tells all to Extra". United Press International. 2007-01-03. http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2007/01/03/Hilary-Swank-tells-all-to-Extra/UPI-16731167860928/. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
  10. ^ "Hilary and Huncky Patrick Picture Perfect Premiere". Hello! Magazine. 2007-01-05. http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2007/01/05/lucy-liu-swank/. Retrieved 2007-01-07. 
  11. ^ "Hilary Swank reaping rewards". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-04-23. http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/hilary-reaping-rewards/2007/04/22/1177180466303.html. 
  12. ^ "Jamie Bell's life story put on screen". London: The Guardian. 2001-07-17. http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,4029,523215,00.html. 
  13. ^ a b c Rebecca Leung (2005-03-02). "Hilary Swank: Oscar Gold – 60 Minutes". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/02/60II/main677647.shtml. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  14. ^ Stuever, Hank; Booth, William (2005-02-28). "At the Oscars, a 'Baby' Boom". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59165-2005Feb28.html. 
  15. ^ Freydkin, Donna (2007-10-10). "Hilary Swank enjoying the scent of 'Insolence'". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-10-10-swank-perfume_N.htm. 
  16. ^ "Hilary Swank to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". English.eastday.com. 2007-01-08. http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/features/userobject1ai2553293.html. Retrieved 2007-01-08. 
  17. ^ Associated Press (2007-01-08). "Hilary Swank gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". The Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/16412675.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-08. 
  18. ^ Sanford, James (2007-01-05). "Swank brings credibility to 'Freedom Writers'". Kalamazoo Gazette. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/features-0/116801421868440.xml&coll=7. Retrieved 2007-01-06. 
  19. ^ Roach, Vicky (2007-03-22). "Hilary's all class". The Sunday Telegraph. http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,21426737-5006013,00.html. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
  20. ^ a b Hart, Hugh (2007-04-01). "Real scare for cast of 'Reaping'". San Francisco Chronicle. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/01/PKG7MOPVNG1.DTL&type=movies. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
  21. ^ Hilary Swank: Light and Shade, interview with stv.tv, December 2007
  22. ^ "Hilary Swank to play Amelia Earhart". Variety. 2008-02-07. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980470.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=Amelia+Earhart. Retrieved 2010-09-09. 
  23. ^ "Kelly Fremon -10 Screenwriters to Watch", by Matthew Ross, Variety.com
  24. ^ Fleming, Michael (2007-12-05). "Swank sinks teeth into 'Fangland'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977127.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2009-10-21. 
  25. ^ "Hilary Swank Defangs Fangland Rumors". DreadCentral. http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/40378/hilary-swank-defangs-fangland-rumors. 
  26. ^ "Swank Risks Health For Roles". contactmusic.com. 2006-12-20. http://www.contactmusic.com/news/swank-risks-health-for-roles_1017107. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
  27. ^ "Hilary Swank says 'we're still married'". MSNBC. 2006-01-17. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10895932/. 
  28. ^ "Swank is dating her agent". Contact Music. 2006-12-20. http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/swank%20is%20dating%20her%20agent_1017091. Retrieved 2006-12-20. 
  29. ^ "Hollywood stars fly in on Chechen leader's birthday". BBC. 2011-10-07. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15197717. 
  30. ^ Elder, Miriam (2011-10-13). "Hilary Swank 'regrets' partying with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/hilary-swank-regrets-chechen-party. Retrieved 2011-10-14. 
  31. ^ "Russia: Celebrities Should Refuse Pay for Chechnya Gala". Human Rights Watch. 2011-10-11. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/10/11/russia-celebrities-should-refuse-pay-chechnya-gala?tr=y&auid=9689520. Retrieved 2011-10-14. 
  32. ^ "Hilary Swank apologizes". Human Rights Foundation. 2011-10-13. http://www.humanrightsfoundation.org/media/HilarySwankapologizes20111012.html. Retrieved 2011-10-14. 
  33. ^ "Hilary Swank Will Donate Chechen Cash To Charity". Huffington Post. 2011-10-14. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/hilary-swank-will-donate-_n_1010639.html. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
  34. ^ "Hilary Swank Talks About 'The Reaping'". Wild About Movies.com. 2001-04-02. http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/interviews/Hilary-Swank-InterviewReapingMovie.php. Retrieved 2011-10-22. 

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