Julia O'Hara Stiles (born 28 March 1981) is an American actress. Hailed as "the thinking teenager's movie goddess" by New York Times critic Ben Brantley, Stiles has been a darling of critics despite her youth. Stephen Holden of The Washington Post says she is "one of Hollywood's brighest young stars" and compares her to Jane Fonda and Glenn Close. The Jerusalem Post wrote Stiles was "a young, serious looking Diane Lane."

Stiles was born in New York City to John O'Hara, a teacher and businessman, and Judith Stiles, a potter ... (read more )