Actress who notably played Jane Burnham, the teenage daughter of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), in the oscar-winning 1999 Sam Mendes comedy American Beauty.
She was born 11th March 1982 in Los Angeles, and her acting career began with a part in a TV commerical at the age of 4. Her parents, Jack and Carol, manage her career, although they are quick to reject suggestions that they are showbiz parents.
Her recent films include The Hole, a psychological thriller set in a private school and Ghost World, an adaptation of the Daniel Clowes comic about two girls trying to find direction after graduating high school. Both these have seen her cast as an alienated teenager, however she brings a different kind of performance to each film. I can think of few other actresses who have handled similar roles with such incredible skill.
Sources: Internet Movie Database, The Observer