Appeared in first commercial at the age of nine

TV series debut, "Dreamfinders" (Disney)

Became emancipated from her parents at age 15

Made feature debut in the John Hughes-produced, "Pretty in Pink"; also acted in Hughes' "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

First leading role in Wes Craven's "Deadly Friend"

Played one of the teenage children in the disappointing adaptation of V.C. Andrews' novel, "Flowers in the Attic"

Had a recurring role as Jody Campbell in "Knots Landing" (CBS)

Appeared in the shortlived Burt Reynolds vehicle, "B.L. Stryker" (ABC)

First leading role in a series, "Nightingales" (NBC)

Cast opposite Charlie Sheen in the comedy spoof, "Hot Shots!"

Played the title role in the film, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

Appeared as a calm, cool tennis star in "The Program"

Re-teamed with Sheen for "The Chase"

Portrayed a naive student discovering her sexuality in John Singleton's "Higher Learning"

Played plucky female lead Diana Palmer to Billy Zane's "The Phantom"

Starred as the devestatingly beautiful and seductive sociopath Francesca Wells in the ABC movie, "Bad to the Bone"

Played Erica Paget, a love interest of the main character for one season of the CBS series, "Early Edition"

Appeared as Adam Sandler's girlfriend Vanessa in the hit comedy "Big Daddy"

Co-starred as a match-making cruise-line executive in the CBS midseason comedy, "Grapevine"

Competed on the Fox reality series, "Skating with Celebrities"