Classically beautiful, yet full of youthful spunk, she embodies both the old and the new. A native New Yorker, Stiles was born March 28th, 1981. Even at a young age, Julia was a creative child, who enjoyed writing and performing. At age eleven, with only some meager YMCA lessons to her name, she wrote a letter to the La Mama Theatre group asking for an audition. The bold and determined Julia got her wish - and a part. article continued below...

Julia Stiles must just have a thing for Shakespeare... In the past few years she has already logged 3 Shakespearean credits - 10 Things I Hate About You ("Taming of the Shrew"), Hamlet and O ("Othello"). All three were modernized versions of the classic tales, and it seems fitting that Stiles has been so adept at adaptations.

Classically beautiful, yet full of youthful spunk, she embodies both the old and the new. A native New Yorker, Stiles was born March 28th, 1981. Even at a young age, Julia was a creative child, who enjoyed writing and performing. At age eleven, with only some meager YMCA lessons to her name, she wrote a letter to the La Mama Theatre group asking for an audition. The bold and determined Julia got her wish - and a part.

During her time with the group she also contributed to Zuzu, a New York based children magazine - published by Restless Youth Press, an organization dedicated to publishing the work of young artists.

Stiles was a regular contributor, and wrote about her own life and experiences as an upcoming actress. The writing bug has stayed with Julia. At sixteen, she co-authored a screenplay entitled The Anarchist Daughter which was included in the 1998 Sundance Institute Writers Lab. The script tells the story of a Manhattan teen who experiments with LSD while caring for her sick grandmother. Julia hopes to produce and star in the film. Stiles made her film debut in I Love You, I Love You Not, a drama which also showcased early performances by Claire Danes, James Van Der Beek and Jude Law.

Some more small supporting roles followed, but none of them allowed Stiles to truly showcase her talent and break through. Julia big break finally came in the form of the NBC miniseries, The 60s. The program was a success, and people finally got a taste of what Julia had to offer. Julia followed up her television success with her stunning role in 10 Things I Hate About You, which earned her an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance of that year. While 10 Things won over the crowds, Hamlet would win over the critics.

The update of Shakespeare most acclaimed play was widely accepted, and Stiles was given much praise for her turn as the doomed Ophelia. Despite a misstep with the lackluster romantic comedy Down To You, Julia career seems to be booming. She has been named one of Teen People Magazine "21 Hottest Stars Under 21" and continues to stick out from the young Hollywood crowd as a rare and beautiful talent.

• Attending Columbia University beginning August 2000
• (1999) chosen as one of Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21"
• Has been in three remakes of Shakespeare plays; 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of The Shrew), O (Othello) and Hamlet (Hamlet)
• In 1999, Julia graduated from New York's Professional Children's School, which prepares students for careers in the arts.
• (1999) Dated 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt
• During her hiatus from Save the Last Dance (2001), she signed up with Habitat for Humanity International, an organization that builds homes for the needy.
• (2001) Voted one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.