Gwyneth Paltrow.

The world first laid eyes on the woman who was to become one of Hollywood's A-list actresses, not more than 5 years ago. Gwyneth Paltrow made her way into the public eye in photos and public appearances, but always at Brad Pitt's side, and when people asked about the statuesque blonde, people would respond with not more than, "The daughter of Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow." No longer with Brad and no longer just the daughter of a powerful Hollywood couple, Gwyneth has gone on to become Hollywood's princess.

Gwyneth Kate Paltrow was born September 28, 1972, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in the City of Angels and the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and television producer and director Bruce Paltrow, it was no surprise that the blue-eyed blonde would pursue an acting career. The Paltrows moved to Manhattan, New York when Gwyneth was 11 years old, where she would watch her Tony award-winning mother perform at theatre festivals. While mother Blythe was performing in summer stock theatre in Berkshires, Massachusetts, Gwyneth came along and became more than an audience member; she began to participate, and even co-starred with her mother in a couple of productions. After making her debut starring role in a production of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, she knew that acting was exactly what she was meant to do.

She took home the 1999 Academy Award for Best Actress, thanks to her impeccable British accent and her excellent portrayal as Shakespeare's cross dressing love interest. After a brief hiatus, Gwyneth returned to the big-screen in top form in the beautifully shot The Talented Mr. Ripley, as Jude Law's good-hearted girlfriend. Jennifer Aniston may now be Mrs. Pitt, but that doesn't mean that Gwynnie was lonely. She has since been romantically linked with her Shakespeare in Love co-star Ben Affleck, and Scott Speedman. The actress who stole Hollywood's heart more than once will soon be seen in Duets, as well as Bounce and The Intern, where she appears as herself.