Stiles, Julia (1981– )

US actor. A prolific film star from the late 1990s, she achieved a number of roles in both traditional Hollywood films and independent cinema, becoming one of the most sought-after young stars of the early 21st century. Her breakthough film was the successful modern Shakespeare adaptation 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), and she went on to gain high-profile roles in the thriller The Bourne Identity (2002) and its sequel The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and in the drama Mona Lisa Smile (2003).

After 10 Things I Hate About You, which was based on The Taming of the Shrew, she was cast in other modern adaptations of Shakespeare, including Hamlet (2000), and O (2001; based on Othello). Other films include the comedies Wicked (1998), State and Main (2000), A Guy Thing (2003), and The Prince and Me (2004).

She was born and grew up in New York City and began acting on stage before adolescence, appearing in avant-garde plays in Manhattan theatres. Her film debut was a small part in I Love You, I Love You Not (1996). The following year she made her television debut in the Oprah Winfrey television film Before Women Had Wings (1997) and appeared briefly as Harrison Ford's daughter in the film The Devil's Own (1997). Other television work includes a role as a young single mother in the 1999 series The 60s.