The Top 10 Actresses Under 25
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Written by: Ryan McNally
Who are the best young actresses in the movie business today? We're talking talent here, not looks or name recognition. Actresses whose thespian skills far exceed their age, and who will grow into legends in the decades to come. Predicting long-term success can be a tricky thing, but these 10 actresses have shown great promise so far. Here are Film Frat's selections for the Top 10 Actresses Under 25 (defined here as actresses who have not yet celebrated their 26th birthday as of October 7, 2002). |
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| 1. |
Thora Birch (born March 11, 1982)
Birch has not one but two superb performances already under her belt. After a decade of child acting, she came into her own as Kevin Spacey's daughter in American Beauty, scoring a British Academy Award nomination for her work. In the indie smash Ghost World, she graduated to a leading role with a pitch-perfect portrayal of a non-conformist teen, scoring a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination. |
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| 2. |
Kirsten Dunst (April 30, 1982)
Since first garnering attention as a 12-year-old in 1994's Interview With The Vampire, Dunst has had an up-and-down acting career. But recent performances in The Virgin Suicides, Crazy/Beautiful and Cat's Meow have shown solid potential amidst the weaker showings. |
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| 3. |
Kate Hudson (April 19, 1979)
Hudson scored a plethora of awards, including a Supporting Actress Golden Globe, for her tough-yet-vulnerable turn as "band-aid" Penny Lane in Almost Famous. Though her roles since then have been largely lackluster, the future still looks bright for the daughter of Goldie Hawn. |
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| 4. |
Scarlett Johansson (November 22, 1984)
She made her film debut in the disastrous North, and her most recent film is Eight Legged Freaks. Ouch. But sandwiched in between those two, this 17-year-old has made her mark and then some, turning in award-winning work in Ghost World, American Rhapsody, The Horse Whisperer and Manny & Lo. |
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| 5. |
Jena Malone (November 21, 1984)
Since her shattering debut as an abused child in 1996's Bastard Out Of Carolina, Malone has continued to shine with memorable turns in Donnie Darko, Life As A House and The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys. Overall, her willingness to tackle dark, edgy subject matter signifies an actress who's here to stay. |
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| 6. |
Samantha Morton (May 13, 1977)
The oldest actress on our list as well as the only Brit, Morton's warning scream to Tom Cruise in Minority Report is still sending shivers up my spine. Prior to generating Oscar buzz for her Minority role, Morton scored an Oscar nomination opposite Sean Penn in 1999's Sweet and Lowdown. |
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| 7. |
Sarah Polley (January 8, 1979)
Polley first drew critical raves for her role as a conflicted bus accident survivor in the acclaimed 1997 pic The Sweet Hereafter. Two years later, she scored an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance as a checkout-girl-turned-drug-dealer in Go. | |
| 8. |
Christina Ricci (February 12, 1980)
It's been a long ride since The Addams Family more than a decade ago. 1998 proved to be Ricci's breakout year, with her starring role in The Opposite Of Sex tallying Independent Spirit Award and Golden Globe nominations. Notable films since include Buffalo 66, Sleepy Hollow and The Laramie Project. |
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| 9. |
Audrey Tautou (August 9, 1978)
Tautou burst to international fame with her unique, award-winning performance in the French smash Amelie. Before that, she had already scored a Cesar award for Most Promising Newcomer for Venus Beauty Institute. And buzz is great for her upcoming films, including the French thriller She Loves Me ... She Loves Me Not. |
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| 10. |
Zhang Ziyi (February 9, 1980)
Ziyi became a star with her award-winning role as a tough-but-sexy martial arts wizard in the international hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Additional roles in the Chinese flicks The Road Home and the upcoming Musa prove she's got acting talent to spare in addition to her karate prowess.Others to keep your eye on: Erika Christenson (Traffic), Katie Holmes (Go), Anna Paquin (The Piano), Natalie Portman (The Professional), Julia Stiles (Save The Last Dance), Michelle Rodriguez (Girlfight), Jessica Campbell (Election), Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse). Check out our related lists of the Top 10 Actors Under 25 and the Top 10 Directors Under 35... Did we overlook your favorite young actress? Drop us a line and tell us which selections you agreed with, and which young actresses you think we missed. Click on the following actress names to check out posters and photos of Kirsten Dunst, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Audrey Tautou, and Zhang Ziyi. For buying info on any of the Top 10's "Essential Films" (see below), click on the actor head shots above or on the movie names below: 1) Thora Birch: American Beauty. 2) Kirsten Dunst: The Virgin Suicides. 3) Kate Hudson: Almost Famous. 4) Scarlett Johansson: Ghost World. 5) Jena Malone: The Dangerous LIves Of Altar Boys. 6) Samantha Morton: Minority Report. 7) Sarah Polley: Go. 8) Christina Ricci: The Opposite Of Sex. 9) Audrey Tautou: Amelie. 10) Zhang Ziyi: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. All actor head shots are courtesy of the Internet Movie Database, where you can read actor bios and filmographies. |
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