Blessed with a whippetlike physique and expressive, quirky features (especially her enormous, saucer-shaped eyes), Illeana Douglas came by her acting genes honestly enough as the granddaughter of two-time Academy Award-winner Melvyn Douglas, who used to regale her with stories about hanging out with Marlene Dietrich. Having performed stand-up comedy since she was a teenager, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and embarked on a NYC stage career, acting in "Takes on Woman" and "As Sure as You Live" with the Naked Angels theater group, among her outings. While working as an
