HILARY DUFF

Hilary Ann Duff was born on September 28th, 1987 in Houston, Texas, to Bob and Susan Duff. When Hilary was six, she had been traveling in the Cechetti Ballet with her older sister Haylie, but decided she wanted to fulfill her dream of acting. Soon she landed a role in a television commercial, was bitten by the "acting bug" and quickly racked up a list of television and film acting credits.

The dynamic young actress has garnered world-wide recognition as the star of Disney Channel's international hit series "Lizzie McGuire" in which she portrays a teen navigating the turbulence of middle school cliques, trendy styles and rites of passage while her animated, brassy alter ego gives running commentary. "Lizzie McGuire" premiered in January 2001 and is now seen everyday at 7:30 p.m. on Disney Channel and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. on the ABC Television Network.

In 2002, Duff starred in the blockbuster "Cadet Kelly," which ranks as Disney Channel's highest rated original movie ever, the top-rated movie on both broadcast and cable television for its premiere week and cable television's highest rated movie in 2002.

In May 2003, Duff brought her character to the big screen with the Walt Disney Picture's hit comedy "The Lizzie McGuire Movie." After graduating from Hillridge Middle School, Lizzie and her pals take a school enrichment trip to Italy where she is mistaken for Isabella (an Italian rock star) and begins to fall for Paolo (Isabella's former handsome Italian rock star boyfriend). As Lizzie is transformed from a gawky teen into a beautiful pop star, Paolo's true colors surface and Lizzie discovers the true meaning of love and friendship.

In addition, Duff co-starred in March 2003 with Frankie Muniz in the MGM film "Agent Cody Banks." She plays prep school student Natalie Connors who is unknowingly caught between a new love, who is actually a secret teen agent, and her father, a scientist who unknowingly develops a fleet of deadly nanobots.

She completed filming 20th Century Fox's "Cheaper By The Dozen," with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. The film is scheduled to be released this Christmas. Hilary had with a starring role in the Warner Bros. picture "Cinderella Story," a comedy about a Southern California high school student who is transformed from an awkward teen to the most popular girl in school.

On television, she was featured in the mini-series "True Women" with Dana Delaney and Rachel Leigh Cook, in "Soul Collector" which earned her a "Young Artist Award" for Best Supporting Actress, and in a guest-starring role on "Chicago Hope." She had theatrical roles in "Playing by Heart" with Sean Connery, Dennis Quaid and Gena Rowlands; as the friendly ghost's best friend, Wendy, in the successful video release "Casper Meets Wendy;" and in the Cannes Film Festival favorite "Human Nature" with Tim Robbins.

In August, 2002, the multi-talented Duff crossed over to other platforms, making her singing debut with the single "I Can't Wait" on the Lizzie McGuire television soundtrack from Walt Disney Records. The song quickly catapulted up the charts on Radio Disney and the album recently was certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A. She followed her successful debut with the release of her own Christmas-themed album, Santa Claus Lane, by Walt Disney Records. On the album, Hilary duets with R&B/pop recording artist Christina Milian and with hip-hop artist Lil' Romeo. In addition, she was chosen to perform "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" on the gold-certified Disneymania album. The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack entered the Billboard Soundtrack chart at #1 and was certified Platinum in June 2003. She has completed recording her debut solo album Metamorphosis, which will be released August 26th and features the single "So Yesterday."

Duff splits her time between homes in Houston and Los Angeles with her parents, sister and two dogs. She enjoys swimming, tumbling and rollerblading. Duff has served on the Advisory Board of the Audrey Hepburn Child Benefit Fund and the Celebrity Council of Kids with a Cause. Hilary was a member of the 1998/99 Advisory Board of the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund and is a member of the 2001 Youth Advisory Committee of Kids With A Cause, a non-profit organization of celebrity children working to assist those less fortunate than themselves.

Duff's enormous popularity was further proven with a nomination for Favorite Television Actress for Nickelodeon's "15th Annual Kids' Choice Awards" and she accepted the award for "Lizzie McGuire" which was voted Favorite Television Series in both 2002 and 2003.

Hilary depicts a tween navigating the turbulence of middle school cliques, trendy styles and rites of passage while her animated, brassy alter ego gives running commentary.