Source: 20th Century FoxJESSICA BIEL has become one of Hollywood's most coveted leading women. Biel was hailed for her performance in film The Illusionist alongside Oscar nominated actors Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Jessica Biel pulls off her most impressive trick yet: transforming herself into a turn-of-the-century Austrian duchess - and a serious art house actress."
Biel was recently seen in the Gary Marshall directed romantic comedy Valentine's Day along with Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba. Biel's character plays a publicist unlucky in love.
Biel was seen starring in the romantic dramedy, Easy Virtue opposite Colin Firth, Ben Barnes and Kristin Scott Thomas. She portrays an American who is in constant conflict with her new mother-in-law (Scott Thomas) after marrying a young wealthy Englishman on a spur of the moment trip to France. The film is based on the play by Noel Coward and adapted by writer/director Stephan Elliot. Easy Virtue premiered at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews and received an overwhelming positive response when screened again at the prestigious Rome, London and Tribeca Film Festivals.
Biel starred in Nailed, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, James Marsden and Catherine Keener. This comedy was directed by David O. Russell and follows a waitress who gets a nail accidentally lodged in her head causing unpredictable behavior that leads her to Washington, DC, where sparks fly when she meets a clueless young senator (Gyllenhaal) who takes up her cause.
Biel shows great range in the dramatic film Powder Blue, in which she stars opposite Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker, Patrick Swayze and Ray Liotta. This dramatic film follows the lives of several Los Angeles strangers who meet by chance on Christmas Eve through a shared tragedy.
Biel was seen in the Universal comedy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, opposite Adam Sandler and Kevin James. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry opened #1 at the box office and grossed well over $100 million domestically.
For her work in The Illusionist, Biel received numerous awards including Hollywood Life's Annual Breakthrough Award, the Shining Star Award at both the Giffoni Film Festival and the Maui Film Festival, as well as the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 18th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Biel starred in the return-from-war drama Home of the Brave opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. In addition, she starred in the sci-fi thriller Next with Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore for Revolution Studios.
As a child, Biel initially pursued a career as a vocalist, performing in musical theatre. She starred in productions such as Annie, The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast. A natural beauty, she soon turned to modeling and commercial work by competing in The International Modeling and Talent Association's Annual Conference in 1994.
In her feature film debut at age fourteen, Biel garnered acclaim for her portrayal as the rebellious daughter in Victor Nunez's acclaimed film Ulee's Gold, starring Oscar nominee Peter Fonda. She then appeared in Disney's I'll Be Home For Christmas with Jonathan Taylor Thomas; Warner Bros.' romantic comedy Summer Catch, co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr.; Lions Gate Films' The Rules Of Attraction, for director Roger Avary; New Line's hit remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Blade: Trinity with Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson and Ryan Reynolds; Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown, with Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon; and Stealth, starring alongside Josh Lucas and Jamie Foxx.
In her spare time, Biel is active with Make the Difference Network, an online organization that she started with her father, Jon Biel. MTDN is a "national wish list" where people can search, find and fund specific wishes that have been listed by nonprofit organizations. Through MDTN, Biel has become involved in such charities as Serving Those Who Serve, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and PETA. She was recently honored with the National Impact Award at the 2008 Heart of Los Angeles Gala and previously honored with the Young Philanthropist of the Year Award at the 2006 Golden Karma Awards for her charitable work. Biel's hobbies include ballet, soccer, running, yoga and hiking with her dog, Tina.
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