milestones
Year
Milestone
 
Born in Dallas, Texas; moved with mother when parents divorced in 1968
 
Raised in Southern California
1980 
Began modeling at age 14 (date approximate)
1984 
TV debut on the series, "The Yellow Rose"
1984 
First career break, playing Kelly Capwell on the NBC daytime soap opera, "Santa Barbara"; earned two Daytime Emmy nominations
1986 
First feature film, "Hollywood Vice Squad"
1987 
First film in a leading role, "The Princess Bride"
1990 
Paired onscreen with Sean Penn in "State of Grace"
1992 
Offered a strong performance as a headstrong Irish woman in "The Playboys"
1994 
Co-starred as Jenny. the love interest to Tom Hanks' "Forrest Gump"; nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress
1995 
Directed by Penn in "The Crossing Guard"
1996 
Had title role as the rollicking heroine in "Moll Flanders"
1996 
Was victim of carjacking in front of her home in May
1997 
Earned acclaim for her leading role in "She's So Lovely," co-starring Penn and John Travolta; earned SAG and Independent Spirit Award nominations for Best Actress
1998 
Reteamed again with husband as part of the ensemble of "Hurlyburly"
1999 
Starred opposite Kevin Costner as a reporter tracking down the sender of a "Message in a Bottle"
2000 
Co-starred with Bruce Willis in director M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable"
2001 
Directed by husband Sean Penn in "The Pledge"
2001 
Appeared uncredited as Robert Redford's daughter in "The Last Castle"
2002 
Appeared as herself in the documentary "Searching for Debra Winger"
2002 
Joined ensemble of top female stars, including Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger in "White Oleander"
2003 
Co-starred with Robert Downey Jr. in "The Singing Detective"
2004 
Starred opposite Colin farrell in "A Home at the End of the World" based on the novel by Michael Cunningham
2004 
Starred as the mother of a teenage girl who believes she is carrying the child of God, in the drama "Virgin"
2005 
Co-starred with Ed Harris and Helen Hunt in the HBO movie "Empire Falls" based on the novel by Richard Russo; earned a SAG nomination for Best Actress in a Television Movie or Miniseries
2005 
Cast in the ensemble "Nine Lives"; Rodrigo García directs a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into the lives of nine women; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Supporting Female
2006 
Cast in Jeff Stanzler's "Sorry, Haters" a drama set against the anxieties and fears of post-9/11 America; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Female Lead
2006 
Cast in Anthony Minghella's ensemble "Breaking and Entering"
2007 
Portrayed Queen Wealtheow in Robert Zemeckis' big-budget film version of "Beowulf"
Photo Galleries
Lauren and Heidi of MTV's "The Hills"
Jeff Lipsky/MTV

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