Lindsay Lohan

In New York, NY, on 02 July 1986, Lindsay Lohan became the first child of a proud couple: Dina (a one-time Radio City "Rockette" and Wall Street analyst who now manages her daughter's career) and Michael Lohan (a long-time Wall Street trader who developed, then sold, his family's multi-million-dollar pasta business to fund and develop major studios and independent Hollywood productions). Three siblings (Michael, Aliana and Dakota) would follow in the years to come.

Lindsay started modeling (she was the first redheaded child ever signed by the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency) and acting at the tender age of 3. People in the business quickly recognized her talent, and she was hired to shoot more than 60 commercials; including spots for Pizza Hut, Wendy's and Jell-O (with Bill Cosby).

In 1993, Lindsay was one of several New York-area children to appear in a Halloween skit with David Letterman, dressed as garbage ("Things You Find on the Floor of the D-Train"). Within weeks, Letterman left NBC for CBS.

A plum role soon followed on the NBC-TV series Another World. Lindsay was the third actress — in late 1996 and early 1997 — to play "Alexandra 'Alli' Fowler". (AW ran until 1999.)

It was not until 05 January 1997 that she knew she would be cast in a major motion picture. The director of The Parent Trap, Nancy Meyers, called Lindsay that day and told her that she had the part — or is that parts — of the twins. As you no doubt have seen (after all, you're here), Lindsay proved that she is an actress of considerable skill, deftly handling two different personalities in one single movie.

Lindsay was officially recognized for her talent as well; earning a Young Artist Award for Leading Actress (which she shared with Stepmom's Jena Malone), and nominations for a YoungStar Award and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award.

Early in 1999, Lindsay filmed another movie. Life-Size — originally a Wonderful World of Disney production later released on home video — allowed Lindsay to act with Tyra Banks.

In 2000, Lindsay won the role of "Rose" in Bette Midler's television sitcom, Bette. After shooting the pilot episode, the show's producers decided it would be easier on the crew — most of whom lived near Los Angeles — if filming moved to California. Lindsay gave up the role to stay in New York, and Los Angeles-area actress Marina Malota was pegged to take over the role of Midler's teen-aged daughter. The series was canceled only a few months later, due to sagging ratings and the strain on its stars (ironically, Midler had to fly cross-country from her New York home to tape her own show).

In June, 2001, Lindsay completed filming the role of "Lexy Gold" in Get a Clue, the Disney Channel Original Movie of the Month for January, 2002 — later rescheduled for telecast in June, 2002.

Walt Disney Pictures announced on 31 July 2002 that Lindsay had signed on to play Anna Coleman in the theatrical remake of Freaky Friday. In cannibaliz— ... er, that is, we mean updating yet another film from its vaults, Disney signed Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis (A Fish Called Wanda) as the mother-and-daughter team who wake up one day in each other's bodies. Lohan — who already proved she could fill Hayley Mills' shoes and then some — took on a role that helped propel a young Jodie Foster to stardom.

In September, 2002, Lindsay appeared poised to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a singer when one of the biggest names in music, Emilio Estefan, Jr., took Lindsay under his professional wing. Estefan Enterprises announced a five-album production deal and the promise of an aggressive effort to "sell" her pop style "with a rock edge" to a major record label.

In 2003, Lindsay accepted the lead role in Disney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (originally a New Line project written for Hilary Duff, who had to pass due to her full schedule). Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and in New York City, Queen was released in theatres on 20 February 2004.

Later in 2003, leaving The Mouse behind (for the moment), Lindsay jumped over to Paramount Studios to re-team with Freaky director Mark S. Waters for Mean Girls (opening on 30 April 2004). Principal photography ended in November, 2003, and, during filming, she began negotiations to star in Dramarama for Warner Bros.