Although Big is a young actress, her acting resume is just as long -- if not longer -- than those of older, more accomplished actresses. This talented marvel is living proof that age is just a number and not a measure of one's career and success.

Kirsten Caroline Dunst was born on April 30th, 1982, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Her mother Inez is an artist, while her father is a medical services executive.

Kiki, as Kirsten is referred to by her family and friends, has a brother Christian. Now that her parents are separated, she and Christian live with their mother in Burbank, California, with 2 cats and a dog named Beauty.

A far cry from the big screen, Kirsten's movie career began with a baby doll commercial. It was clear that Kirsten was not destined to stay locked in television commercials forever.

She soon landed an uncredited role in 1989's New York Stories, Kiki's Delivery Service (probably where her nickname originated), as well as a role in the film Bonfire of the Vanities, with Bruce Willisand Melanie Griffith

More roles followed as Kirsten's repertoire was expanded, practically exponentially. She appeared in the films High Strung and the made-for-TV movie Darkness Before Dawn.

While her face was appearing on the silver screen, Trekkies were getting a glimpse of her in the recurring role of Hedril in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unfortunately, we never got to see her opposite Jeri Ryan who is part of the Star Trek Voyager series. Kirsten also made an appearance in the series Sisters, as Kitten.

1994 was definitely Kirsten's year. Not only did she land a supporting role as the youngest vampire amid A-list actors Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the adaptation of Anne Rice's Interview With The Vampire, but she also landed a role in Little Women, with Winona Ryder, and the comedy Greedy, with Kirk Douglas.

Incidentally, Kirsten beat out the excellent actress Christina Riccifor both the Interview With The Vampire and Little Women roles.

Kirsten was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Claudia, and won an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Performance (Kirsten actually loves the MTV award best since it's a golden bag of popcorn). It wasn't only MTV and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who recognized Kirsten; audiences and critics alike were taking notice of the talented blue-eyed blonde.

Next up for Kirsten was the film Jumanji. She also provided her voice for the animated film Anastasia and on a more serious note, for the film Children Remember the Holocaust.

In 1998, Kirsten landed a role in Wag the Dog, with big league actors Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman That same year, Kirsten was one of the only actual actors in Small Soldiers, while actors such as Sarah Michelle Gellarprovided their voices.

The list of films that Kirsten appeared in has only gotten longer since 1994, her most recent films being last summer's comedies Dick, co-starring Michelle Williams and the dark comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous, with Denise Richards.

This year Kirsten gave an outstanding performance as Lux Lisbon in Sofia Coppola's directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides, about the sexually curious and rebellious daughter of overprotective parents, played by Kathleen Turner and James Woods.

Kirsten's other films this year include: The Crow: The Salvation, Cheer Fever, All Forgotten, Lucky Town, and Deeply. Her next films included the cheerleader hit Bring It On and the romantic teen flick Get Over It.

After the disappointing Crazy/Beautiful, Kirsten starred as Marion Davies in The Cat's Meow. In 2002, Kirsten hit the big-time as Spider-Man's leading lady, Mary Jane Watson, in the record-making blockbuster, Spider-Man. After her role in Axis, Kirsten will be seen in Levity, and as M.J. in the Spider-Man sequels.

When not acting, Kristen enjoys playing the piano, listening to music (especially Jewel, and playing softball.