Hilary Swank is one of Hollywood's most talented and respected actresses with two best Actress Oscars already under her belt.
During her career she has moved from hard hitting drama to horror from film noir to the romantic comedy with ultimate ease also making her one of the most versatile stars in Hollywood.
And Oscar success could come knocking again for the thirty five year old as she takes on the role of American pioneer Amelia Earhart in Mira Nair's new movie Amelia.
After becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia was thrust into a new role as America's sweetheart - the legendary "goddess of light," known for her bold, larger-than-life charisma.
Yet, even with her global fame solidified, her belief in flirting with danger and standing up as her own, outspoken woman never changed.
She was an inspiration to people everywhere, from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (Cherry Jones) to the men closest to her heart: her husband, promoter and publishing magnate George P. Putnam (Richard Gere), and her long time friend and lover, pilot Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor).
In the summer of 1937, Amelia set off on her most daunting mission yet: a solo flight around the world that she and George both anxiously foresaw as destined, whatever the outcome, to become one of the most talked-about journeys in history.
Swank kicked off her career in television with roles in Growing Pains and Evening Shade before making the transition into movies with The Next Karate Kid in 1994.
However it was her 1999 role in Boys Don't Cry that really shot her to the attention of filmmakers, critics and audiences.
Boys Don't Cry was a hard hitting drama that followed the story of a transgender male who was raped and murdered on December 31, 1993 by his male friends after they found out he had female genitalia.
Swank took on the central role of Brandon Teena and she lived as a man, including wrapping her chest in tension bandages and putting socks down the front of her pants, as she prepared for the role.
Despite some criticism for the brutal rape scene the film was a major critical hit and awards galore came Swank's way.
She won the Oscar and the Golden Globe for her performance as well as being nominated for a Bafta.
Over the next couple of years Swank landed some good roles in The Gift and Insomnia but it was 2004 where she once again showed off her acting abilities to her full potential.
She teamed up with Clint Eastwood, who was both her director and co-star, and Morgan Freeman foe Million Dollar Baby.
In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time, then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym.
In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, she wants someone to believe in her.
The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility, let alone that kind of risk, but won over by Maggie's sheer determination, he begrudgingly agrees to take her on.
In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and they find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago.
Once again the movie was a critical hit and went on to win four Oscars; Best Actress for Swank, Best Director for Eastwood, Best Supporting Actor for Freeman and Best Picture.
The film went on to become the biggest grossing boxing movie of all time.
Since winning her second Oscar Swank has mixed and matched her role with The Black Dahlia, Freedom Writers and The Reaping.
She then moved onto the romantic comedy with P.S. I Love You, a big screen adaptation of Cecilia Ahern's novel.
Amelia marks Swank's first movie of 2009 and, with the biopic picture being so popular with Academy voters, don't be surprised if the film is there or there abouts come Oscar time.
Amelia is released 13th November.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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