She first gained widespread recognition for her powerful performance as a teenage prostitute in Martin Scorsese’s 1976 classic Taxi Driver—a role that put her on the map and marked the beginning of an extraordinary career. Over the years, she solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, earning Academy Awards for Best Actress for her unforgettable portrayals in The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs. Her talent shone brightly across a range of genres, with standout leading roles in films like Contact, Anna and the King, and Panic Room, where she consistently demonstrated her depth and versatility.

Long before her rise to fame, she actually began acting at just three years old, appearing in commercials for Coppertone sunblock—a fun little fact fans love to revisit. She is a proud mother of two sons, Charles and Christopher, and has always balanced her personal life with grace amid the spotlight. In a memorable moment during the 2013 Academy Awards, she made headlines when she came out as a lesbian in her speech—an act of courage that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. The following year brought even more joy, as she married photographer Alexandra Hedison, marking a new chapter in her life both personally and publicly. Through it all, she remained a trailblazer, not only through her iconic performances but also through her authenticity and strength.