Hilary Swank celebrates half a century since «Million Dollar Baby». The actress who, on July 30, blows on 50 candles She is among the youngest ever to have won two Oscars: one for the young transgender in Boys Don’t Cry in 2000 and the other in Maggie Fitzgerald’s gloves won, five years later, thanks to the Clint Eastwood’s masterpiece. A redemptive rise from a trailer park to the Academy Awards stage as Hollywood’s golden girl. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska from a family of humble origins, turned in the first half of the nineties when he obtained the leading role in Karate Kid 4sequel to the cult saga with Pat Morita. She prepares for the role of the headstrong Julie Pierce by training, hard, for five hours a day. Later, she joins the cast of the iconic series Beverly Hills 90210 sporting the smile of single mother Carly Reynolds, who she plays for sixteen episodes.
In 1997, she married her colleague Chad Lowe, whom she met on the set of Lolita – The Sins of Hollywood; nine years later, the couple announces their divorce. In 2023the diva has become mom for the first time of two twins (a boy and a girl) had with her second husband, the entrepreneur Philip Schneider. Let’s celebrate the record-breaking actress’s 50 fabulous years with 10 things you (probably) don’t know about her.
He made his debut in the role of a child
The record-breaking girl made her stage debut at the tender age of 9, during the school play where she played the role of little Mowgli in The Jungle Book.
From rags to riches
When she was 15, her parents divorced, and she and her mother, Judy, were forced to settle in a trailer park in Bellingham, Washington. In order to pursue her teenage daughter’s acting career, Judy decided to move with Hilary to Los Angeles; the two lived in their car until they could rent an apartment.
The Junior Olympics
While attending Sehome High School, Hilary competed in the Washington State Youth Olympics, finishing fifth.
Best friend of Buffy
Her debut on the big screen took place in the role of the best friend of Buffy the Vampire Slayer; the 1992 cult classic starring Kristy Swanson and Luke Perry that inspired Joss Whedon’s iconic series.
Boys Don’t Cry
At age 26, Swank won her first Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role as a transgender boy in Kimberly Peirce’s directorial debut. The film tells the dramatic true story of Brandon Teena: he grew up in a female body but always felt like a man. To prepare for the role, Swank lived as a man; his neighbors believed the young man who came and went from his house was his brother (Dan) visiting.
A stroke of luck
The second Oscar came in 2005, thanks to the extraordinary performance of aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby by Clint Eastwood. Not everyone knows, however, that Swank was called to replace Sandra Bullock at the last minute.
The missed thanks
When she received her first Oscar, the diva forgot to thank her husband Chad Lowe; afterward, she used almost every public appearance to try to right the wrong. For her second Oscar, the actor was the first person she thanked.
The girl of records
Swank is the third youngest person ever to win two Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She joined a select group of stars with 11 others: Meryl Streep, Bette Davis, Jodie Foster, Ingrid Bergmann, Jane Fonda, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Glenda Jackson, Luise Rainer, Sally Campo, and Elizabeth Taylor. Today, Emma Stone is also part of this exclusive club.
The great debate
The diva was the subject of a subplot in one episode in the series The Office.
Fashion brand
Hilary also founded a luxury clothing line, Mission Statement.
Source: Vanity Fair
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