Grew up in South Orange, New Jersey

Broke into TV at age 16 playing a chipper, uniformed spokesclerk in the first of a series of 20 national Burger King commercials (date approximate)

Screen debut, "The Karate Kid"

Played regular role of the teenaged daughter Jackie Sarnac on the ABC drama series "Call to Glory"

First TV-movie, "Double Switch" (ABC)

Starred in the hit film comedy "Adventures in Babysitting"

Played opposite Michael J Fox in "Back to the Future II"; reprised role in "Back to the Future III" (1990)

Made Broadway debut in "Some Americans Abroad", performed at Lincoln Center

Co-starred in the comedy "Soapdish", playing Sally Field's daughter, an aspiring actress

Breakthrough screen role, the prostitute Sera in "Leaving Las Vegas"; smashed forever her image as the perky blonde next door and placed her solidly on the A-list; received Oscar nomination for Best Actress

Starred opposite Val Kilmer in "The Saint"; speculation linked the two romantically during shooting, sparking rumors that her marriage was on the rocks; allegations denied by Shue

Appeared as Woody Allen's young lover in his star-studded "Deconstructing Harry"

Played Jenny to Jessica Lange's "Cousin Bette", directed by Des McAnuff

Starred as "Molly", who becomes a genius after an experimental treatment cures her autism but maintains her childlike way of looking at the world; John Duigan directed the picture

Portrayed Linda McKay, a US Government scientist assisting Kevin Bacon with his research project to unlock the secret of invisibility in Paul Verhoeven's "The Hollow Man"; during filming, injured Achilles tendon causing a two-month delay in the shooting

Cast as the mother of a teenager in the ABC movie "Oprah Winfrey Presents: Amy and Isabelle"

Starred alongside Joseph Fiennes and Justin Chambers in "Leo"

Starred in the thriller "Hide and Seek" with Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning

Played the mother of a teenage hustler in "Mysterious Skin"

Co-produced and starred in "Gracie," a film about a teenage girl with an interest in soccer; partly based on Elisabeth's own experience; produced with her brother Andrew Shue