Hilary Duff biography

Synopsis

Budding Actress

Hilary Erhard Duff was born on September 28, 1987, in Houston, Texas. She was the second of two daughters born to Susan Duff, a housewife turned film and music producer, and Bob Duff, the owner of a chain of Texas convenience stores. Taking after her sister, Haylie, Hilary entered ballet classes and auditioned for local theatrical productions with her sibling at a young age. "I always wanted to be like my older sister, Haylie," Hilary Duff later recalled. "When she learned to ride a bike, I had to as well. If she took ballet lessons, I did too. I took singing lessons because she did. It all just got more intense until it turned into careers for both of us."

At the age of 6, Hilary was cast alongside her sister in a BalletMet Columbus production of The Nutcracker Suite in San Antonio. It was a positive experience for both of the girls, who, in turn, aspired to act professionally. In 1993, they moved to California with their mother, who began managing their careers. Beginning at the age of 8, Hilary was also home-schooled by her mother.

The budding actress got her first big break in Hollywood when she landed the lead role of Wendy, starring opposite an animated ghost in the 1998 made-for-TV movie Casper Meets Wendy.

'Lizzie McGuire'

In 2000, Hilary Duff was cast on a new NBC sitcom, Daddio. She worked on the show alongside Michael Chiklis, who said after working with her for one day, "This young girl is going to be a movie star." Unfortunately, Chiklis's was not the only opinion that mattered. After just one episode—the pilot—Duff was dropped from the series by its producers. Depressed, Duff wanted to give up on show business, but her mother encouraged her not to give up her dream. The very next week, she landed the lead role on a new Disney Channel show entitled Lizzie McGuire.

Lizzie McGuire soon became a runaway hit, making Hilary Duff, performing as its title character, a household name. The young actress was especially popular with the 'tween set, though her fan base soon extended across all age ranges: "I don't think the Disney Channel gives us enough credit for the age range Lizzie McGuire actually has," Duff once said. "College students come up to me, grandparents, famous people." After starring in 65 episodes over two seasons, Duff reprised the role of McGuire for 2003's The Lizzie McGuire Movie. The film was incredibly successful, grossing more than $55 million worldwide.

Duff's success with Lizzie McGuire led her to work in other facets with Disney, including starring in the 2002 Disney Channel movie Cadet Kelly and releasing an album, Santa Claus Lane, for the company's music label.