--- name: "Hilary Swank" canonical: "https://film.one/person/hilary-swank" fi1m_id: "hilary-swank" imdb_id: "nm0005476" tmdb_id: 448 wikidata_id: "Q93187" roles: ["Actor"] born: "30 July 1974" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-03T04:05:15.074720+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Hilary Swank ## Identity Hilary Swank - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/hilary-swank - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** hilary-swank - **IMDb ID:** nm0005476 - **TMDB ID:** 448 - **Wikidata ID:** Q93187 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Swank, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93187, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005476/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/448 Actor. Born 30 July 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 30 July 1974, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA - **Active:** 1990–present - **Also known as:** Hilary Ann Swank - **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscars (2 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 71 (2), 2010s 74 (2), 2020s 56 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 4 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 7, Crime 3, Action 1, Comedy 1, Sport 1, Thriller 1 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $350m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Swank, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93187, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005476/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/448 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Million Dollar Baby*](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md) (86) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Homesman*](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md) (72) - **Netflix:** [*Ordinary Angels*](https://film.one/film/ordinary-angels.md) (56) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Hilary Swank > Hilary Swank is often asked to play people who refuse to give up. We value her most when she lets their eagerness and pleasure show through the effort; *Boys Don't Cry* remains the clearest reason to watch her. In *Boys Don't Cry* (1999), Hilary Swank lets Brandon Teena take chances and enjoy himself. His wish for a welcome is clear, but she does not play every moment as a plea for one. There is eagerness in her acting, and enough pleasure to keep the film from becoming only an account of suffering. We rate her most highly when she gives someone this much life without asking us to admire how hard she has worked. Kimberly Peirce's film also gives her a convincing romance with Chloë Sevigny. We were moved by the need for acceptance that Swank lets show beneath Brandon's bravado. The tenderness matters in a drama whose supporting characters can be thin and whose pacing sometimes slips. Her performance gives us a reason to stay with a film that is often painful to watch. The route to that breakthrough ran through television and early films such as *The Next Karate Kid* (1994). Her next major success was *Million Dollar Baby* (2004), working with director and co-star Clint Eastwood. Determined women facing exceptional difficulties became a recurring assignment, with the real-life teacher Erin Gruwell in *Freedom Writers* (2007) another example. Her later work has moved between studio films, independent drama and television, including *Alaska Daily* (2022–23). The difficulty comes when determination is all a part supplies. *P.S. I Love You* (2007) leaves her looking miscast, while *Amelia* (2009) offers a portrayal too safe to make much impression. Weaker writing can leave her repeating the resolve without finding much else to play. Steven Soderbergh gave her a comic part in *Logan Lucky* (2017). That is a useful direction to leave open, though we would still send a newcomer to Peirce first. Watch *Boys Don't Cry* for the moments when Brandon is enjoying himself. We would welcome more roles that allow Swank that much. ## Biography Hilary Swank is an American actress. She was born on 30 July 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Swank first appeared on television in Camp Wilder (1992) and made her film debut in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). Her breakthrough came with the role of Julie Pierce in The Next Karate Kid (1994) and as Carly Reynolds in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997–1998). She received international recognition for her performances as Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry (1999) and as Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby (2004), winning Academy Awards for both. Other notable films include Insomnia (2002), Freedom Writers (2007), Logan Lucky (2017) and The Hunt (2020). She has also produced several of the films in which she has starred. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Ordinary Angels* (2024), Fi1m 56, as Sharon Stevens — [page](https://film.one/film/ordinary-angels.md) - *Logan Lucky* (2017), Fi1m 76, as Special Agent Sarah Grayson — [page](https://film.one/film/logan-lucky.md) - *The Homesman* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Mary Bee Cuddy — [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md) - *The Black Dahlia* (2006), Fi1m 56, as Madeleine Linscott — [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md) - *Million Dollar Baby* (2004), Fi1m 86, as Maggie Fitzgerald — [page](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md) - *Boys Don't Cry* (1999), Fi1m 85, as Brandon Teena — [page](https://film.one/film/boys-dont-cry.md) - *Beverly Hills, 90210* (1990), Fi1m 74, as Carly Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/tv/beverly-hills-90210.md) ## Complete filmography (59) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ordinary Angels* (2024), as Sharon Stevens — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/ordinary-angels.md) - *The Good Mother* (2023), as Marissa Bennings · Executive Producer - *Alaska Daily* (2022), series, as Eileen Fitzgerald · Executive Producer - *Yellowjackets* (2021), series, as Adult Melissa — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/yellowjackets.md) - *Fatale* (2020), as Det. Valerie Quinlan · Producer - *Away* (2020), series, as Emma Green · Executive Producer - *Disclosure* (2020), as Brandon Teena / Self (archive footage) - *The Hunt* (2020), as Athena - *I Am Mother* (2019), as Woman - *What They Had* (2018), as Bridget · Executive Producer - *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Trust* (2018), series, as Gail Getty - *55 Steps* (2018), as Colette Hughes - *Double Dutchess: Seeing Double* (2017), Actor - *Logan Lucky* (2017), as Special Agent Sarah Grayson — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/logan-lucky.md) - *Spark: A Space Tail* (2016), as The Queen (voice) - *You're Not You* (2014), as Kate · Producer - *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Joey Pogo (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md) - *The Homesman* (2014), as Mary Bee Cuddy — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md) - *Mary and Martha* (2013), as Mary - *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Claire Morgan - *Something Borrowed* (2011), Producer - *The Resident* (2011), as Juliet Devereau · Executive Producer - *Conviction* (2010), as Betty Anne Waters · Executive Producer - *Amelia* (2009), as Amelia Earhart - *Birds of America* (2008), as Laura - *P.S. I Love You* (2007), as Holly - *The Reaping* (2007), as Katherine - *Freedom Writers* (2007), as Erin Gruwell · Executive Producer - *Beautiful Ohio* (2006), Producer - *The Black Dahlia* (2006), as Madeleine Linscott — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md) - *On Native Soil* (2006), as Narrator (voice) - *Million Dollar Baby* (2004), as Maggie Fitzgerald — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/million-dollar-baby.md) - *11:14* (2004), as Buzzy · Executive Producer - *Iron Jawed Angels* (2004), as Alice Paul - *Red Dust* (2004), as Sarah Barcant - *The Core* (2003), as Maj. Rebecca Childs - *Under Antarctic Ice* (2003), as Narrator (voice) - *Insomnia* (2002), as Ellie Burr - *The Affair of the Necklace* (2001), as Jeanne St. Remy de Valois - *The Gift* (2000), as Valerie Barksdale - *The Audition* (2000), Actor - *Boys Don't Cry* (1999), as Brandon Teena — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/boys-dont-cry.md) - *Heartwood* (1998), as Sylvia Orsini - *The Sleepwalker Killing* (1997), as Lauren Schall - *Leaving L.A.* (1997), series, as Tiffany Roebuck - *Dying to Belong* (1997), as Lisa Connors - *Quiet Days in Hollywood* (1997), as Lolita - *Kounterfeit* (1996), as Colleen - *Sometimes They Come Back... Again* (1996), as Michelle Porter - *Terror in the Family* (1996), as Deena Marten - *The Next Karate Kid* (1994), as Julie Pierce - *Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story* (1994), as Patty Yaklich - *Camp Wilder* (1992), series, as Danielle - *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1992), as Kimberly Hannah - *Harry and the Hendersons* (1991), series, as Chelsea - *Beverly Hills, 90210* (1990), series, as Carly Reynolds — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/beverly-hills-90210.md) - *Growing Pains* (1985), series, as Sasha Serotsky - *N.A.R.*, as Executive Producer ## Gallery - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-4fd34b5c0b44.jpg) Hilary Swank — Manfred Werner (Tsui), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Hilary_Swank_Life_Ball_2013_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![第28回 東京国際映画祭 オープニングセレモニー ヒラリー・スワンク (サヨナラの代わりに) (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-de0ba6d339da.jpg) 第28回 東京国際映画祭 オープニングセレモニー ヒラリー・スワンク (サヨナラの代わりに) (2015) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Hilary_Swank_%22You%27re_Not_You%22_at_Opening_Ceremony_of_the_28th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_%2822414687902%29.jpg/1280px-Hilary_Swank_%22You%27re_Not_You%22_at_Opening_Ceremony_of_the_28th_Tokyo_International_Film_Festival_%2822414687902%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actress Hilary Swank at the 83rd Academy Awards. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-4cc8d473eb46.jpg) Actress Hilary Swank at the 83rd Academy Awards. (2011) — David Torcivia at https://www.flickr.com/photos/viatorci/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Hilary_Swank_2011_AA.jpg/1280px-Hilary_Swank_2011_AA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Hilary Swank and Gery Keszler on the 'magenta carpet' at Life Ball 2013 at the square in front of the city hall of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-488454f7af1e.jpg) Hilary Swank and Gery Keszler on the 'magenta carpet' at Life Ball 2013 at the square in front of the city hall of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. — Manfred Werner (Tsui), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Hilary_Swank_Life_Ball_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-e2b30b538812.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-8098a8f34322.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-7cb649c6ce92.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-967342154f03.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-65c6853c2b6b.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB - ![Hilary Swank](https://film.one/media/person/88783/gallery-b04c3b40c3b4.jpg) Hilary Swank — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 2 won - 2005: Best Actress (won), for *Million Dollar Baby* - 2000: Best Actress (won), for *Boys Don't Cry* ### Golden Globes — 2 won, 1 nominated - 2023: Best Actress – Television Series Drama (nominated), for *Alaska Daily* - 2004: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (won), for *Million Dollar Baby* - 1999: Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (won), for *Boys Don't Cry* ### Other awards — 1 won - BBC 100 Women 2015: BBC 100 Women (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/hilary-swank