Hilary Swank - Actor Profile

Hilary Swank

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jul 30, 1974
Birth Place: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

About Hilary Swank

Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is an American actress and film producer. She first became known in 1992 for her role on the television series Camp Wilder and made her film debut with a minor role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). She then had her breakthrough for starring as Julie Pierce in The Next Karate Kid (1994), the fourth installment of The Karate Kid franchise, and as Carly Reynolds on the eighth season of Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997–1998). Swank came to international recognition for her performances as Brandon Teena, a transgender man, in Kimberly Peirce's Boys Don't Cry (1999), and as Maggie Fitzgerald, an aspiring boxer, in Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby (2004). Both of her performances earned her critical acclaim, and she earned numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Critics' Choice Movie Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005. Swank later ventured into producing with the films Amelia (2009), Conviction (2010), You're Not You (2014), and What They Had (2018), all of which she also starred in. Her other notable films include the television film Iron Jawed Angels (2004), and the feature films Freedom Writers (2007), Logan Lucky (2017), The Hunt (2020), and Fatale (2020).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Hilary Swank reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Hilary Swank's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Hilary Swank remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Million Dollar Baby, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Hilary Swank Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Hilary Swank's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Hilary Swank.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Ordinary Angels Sharon Stevens Super Hit Similar →
2023 The Good Mother Marissa Bennings Flop Similar →
2020 Fatale Det. Valerie Quinlan Average Similar →
2020 Disclosure Brandon Teena / Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2020 The Hunt Athena Hit Similar →
2019 I Am Mother Woman Hit Similar →
2018 What They Had Bridget Hit Similar →
2018 Kadyrov, The Dictator of Chechnya Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2018 55 Steps Colette Hughes Hit Similar →
2017 Double Dutchess: Seeing Double - Average Similar →
2017 Logan Lucky Special Agent Sarah Grayson Hit Similar →
2016 Spark: A Space Tail The Queen (voice) Flop Similar →
2014 You're Not You Kate Hit Similar →
2014 The Homesman Mary Bee Cuddy Hit Similar →
2013 Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story Self Average Similar →
2013 Mary and Martha Mary Average Similar →
2011 New Year's Eve Claire Morgan Average Similar →
2011 The Resident Juliet Devereau Average Similar →
2010 Conviction Betty Anne Waters Hit Similar →
2009 Amelia Amelia Earhart Average Similar →
2008 Birds of America Laura Flop Similar →
2007 P.S. I Love You Holly Hit Similar →
2007 The Reaping Katherine Average Similar →
2007 Freedom Writers Erin Gruwell Super Hit Similar →
2006 ...So Goes the Nation Self Hit Similar →
2006 The Black Dahlia Madeleine Linscott Average Similar →
2006 On Native Soil Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2005 Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast Self - Presenter Flop Similar →
2004 Million Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald Super Hit Similar →
2004 Iron Jawed Angels Alice Paul Hit Similar →
2004 Red Dust Sarah Barcant Average Similar →
2003 Sex at 24 Frames Per Second Self Flop Similar →
2003 11:14 Buzzy Hit Similar →
2003 The Core Maj. Rebecca Childs Average Similar →
2003 Under Antarctic Ice Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
2002 Insomnia Ellie Burr Hit Similar →
2001 The Affair of the Necklace Jeanne St. Remy de Valois Average Similar →
2001 The Concert for New York City Self Flop Similar →
2000 The Gift Valerie Barksdale Hit Similar →
1999 Boys Don't Cry Brandon Teena Hit Similar →
1998 Heartwood Sylvia Orsini Flop Similar →
1997 The Sleepwalker Killing Lauren Schall Average Similar →
1997 Dying to Belong Lisa Connors Flop Similar →
1997 Quiet Days in Hollywood Lolita Flop Similar →
1996 Kounterfeit Colleen Flop Similar →
1996 Sometimes They Come Back... Again Michelle Porter Flop Similar →
1996 Terror in the Family Deena Marten Average Similar →
1994 The Next Karate Kid Julie Pierce Flop Similar →
1994 Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story Patty Yaklich Average Similar →
1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Kimberly Hannah Average Similar →

Hilary Swank - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Hilary Swank?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Hilary Swank is "Million Dollar Baby" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has Hilary Swank acted in?

Hilary Swank has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Hilary Swank?

Other notable films include "Freedom Writers", "Disclosure", and "Ordinary Angels".