Hilary Swank Biography
Hilary Swank is an American actress and producer known for her powerful performances in Hollywood films. Born on July 30, 1974, in Lincoln, Nebraska, she developed an interest in acting during childhood. Her mother, Judy Swank, encouraged her ambitions and supported her early career.
Table of Contents
Swank moved to Los Angeles with her mother as a teenager to pursue acting. She began landing television roles before making her film debut in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). Later, she gained wider recognition as Julie Pierce in The Next Karate Kid (1994).
Her career reached new heights when she portrayed Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry (1999). The performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress and established her as a respected dramatic actress. In 2004, she won her second Best Actress Oscar for playing boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby (2004), alongside further industry recognition.
Swank later starred in films such as Freedom Writers (2007), P.S. I Love You (2007), Amelia (2009), and The Homesman (2014). She also expanded her television career through projects including Away and Alaska Daily. Beyond acting, she launched her clothing brand, Mission Statement, and supports animal welfare initiatives through the Hilaroo Foundation.
In her personal life, Swank married entrepreneur Philip Schneider in 2018. The couple welcomed twins, Aya and Ohm, in April 2023. In October 2026, Swank announced that she was expecting her third child with Schneider, marking another milestone in her family life.
Hilary Swank Age: How Old is Hilary Swank?
Hilary Swank is 52 years old as of October 2026. The American actress was born on July 30, 1974, in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. She celebrates her birthday every year in July. Swank achieved worldwide recognition through Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, winning two Academy Awards for Best Actress. Additionally, she welcomed twins at 48 and is expecting her third child in December 2026.
Hilary Swank Height: How Tall is Hilary Swank?
Hilary Swank stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. The American actress has an athletic physique that suits her demanding film roles. Her height is a commonly reported detail in celebrity biographies and entertainment profiles. Moreover, Swank has demonstrated impressive physical commitment to roles in films like Million Dollar Baby (2004), where she portrayed boxer Maggie Fitzgerald and won her second Academy Award for Best Actress.
Hilary Swank Ethnicity: What is Hilary Swank’s ethnicity?
Hilary Swank is of mixed European and Mexican ancestry. The American actress has Mexican heritage through her maternal grandmother, Frances Martha Domínguez. Additionally, her family roots include German, English, Scottish, Dutch, Welsh, and Swiss ancestry. Her paternal grandmother was born in England, while her surname has German origins. These diverse family connections contribute to Hilary Swank’s ethnic background and family history.
Hilary Swank Young | Early Life & Academic Background
Hilary Swank was born on July 30, 1974, in Lincoln, Nebraska. During childhood, she moved to Washington and grew up near Bellingham. Young Hilary enjoyed sports, competing in swimming and gymnastics. However, acting became her true passion at age nine, when she performed as Mowgli in The Jungle Book. She attended Happy Valley Elementary School, Fairhaven Middle School, and Sehome High School. At 15, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother to pursue acting. Later, she left South Pasadena High School before graduating.
Hilary Swank Acting Career | Movies & TV Shows
Hilary Swank began her acting career with television appearances before entering Hollywood films. She gained early recognition in The Next Karate Kid (1994). However, her breakthrough came with Boys Don’t Cry (1999), earning her first Academy Award for Best Actress. In 2004, she won her second Oscar for Million Dollar Baby. Other notable Hilary Swank movies include Freedom Writers, P.S. I Love You, Amelia, and Ordinary Angels. Additionally, her television roles include Away, Alaska Daily, and Yellowjackets, showcasing her versatility as an actress and producer.
Her filmography includes award-winning dramas, romantic films, thrillers, and television series. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress for Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby. Below is a chronological list of her major acting credits, including television movies and series.
Hilary Swank Movies
- 1992: Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Kimberly Hannah
- 1994: The Next Karate Kid — Julie Pierce
- 1996: Sometimes They Come Back… Again — Michelle Porter
- 1996: Kounterfeit — Colleen
- 1997: Quiet Days in Hollywood — Lolita
- 1998: Heartwood — Sylvia Orsini
- 1999: Boys Don’t Cry — Brandon Teena
- 2000: The Gift — Valerie Barksdale
- 2000: The Audition — Short film
- 2001: The Affair of the Necklace — Jeanne de Valois
- 2002: Insomnia — Detective Ellie Burr
- 2002: The Space Between — Short film
- 2003: 11:14 — Buzzy
- 2003: The Core — Major Rebecca Childs
- 2004: Red Dust — Sarah Barcant
- 2004: Million Dollar Baby — Maggie Fitzgerald
- 2006: The Black Dahlia — Madeleine Linscott
- 2006: Freedom Writers — Erin Gruwell
- 2007: The Reaping — Katherine Winter
- 2007: P.S. I Love You — Holly Kennedy
- 2008: Birds of America — Laura
- 2009: Amelia — Amelia Earhart
- 2010: Conviction — Betty Anne Waters
- 2011: The Resident — Dr. Juliet Devereau
- 2011: New Year’s Eve — Claire Morgan
- 2014: The Homesman — Mary Bee Cuddy
- 2014: You’re Not You — Kate Parker
- 2016: Spark: A Space Tail — The Queen (voice)
- 2017: Logan Lucky — Special Agent Sarah Grayson
- 2017: 55 Steps — Colette Hughes
- 2018: What They Had — Bridget Ertz
- 2019: I Am Mother — Woman
- 2020: The Hunt — Athena Stone
- 2020: Fatale — Detective Valerie Quinlan
- 2023: The Good Mother — Marissa Bennings
- 2024: Ordinary Angels — Sharon Stevens
Hilary Swank TV Shows and Television Movies
- 1991: Harry and the Hendersons — Television appearance
- 1991: Evening Shade — Aimee Thompson
- 1991–1992: Growing Pains — Sasha Serotsky
- 1992–1993: Camp Wilder — Danielle
- 1994: Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story — Patty Yaklich
- 1996: Terror in the Family — Deena Marten
- 1997: Dying to Belong — Lisa Connors
- 1997: The Sleepwalker Killing — Lauren Schall
- 1997: Leaving L.A. — Tiffany Roebuck
- 1997–1998: Beverly Hills, 90210 — Carly Reynolds
- 2004: Iron Jawed Angels — Alice Paul
- 2013: Mary and Martha — Mary Morgan
- 2018: Trust — Gail Getty
- 2019–2020: BoJack Horseman — Joey Pogo (voice)
- 2020: Away — Emma Green
- 2022–2023: Alaska Daily — Eileen Fitzgerald
- 2025–2026: Yellowjackets — Adult Melissa
Hilary Swank The Office
Hilary Swank features in a memorable discussion in Season 5, Episode 13, “Prince Family Paper,” of The Office. The episode aired on January 22, 2009. During the episode, employees at Dunder Mifflin debate whether Swank is attractive. However, Hilary Swank does not appear in the episode. Instead, the conversation humorously explores beauty, attraction, and differing opinions among coworkers. The storyline remains a popular example of the sitcom’s awkward workplace humor.
Hilary Swank Awards & Recognition
Hilary Swank has earned major recognition for her powerful performances in film and television. She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress for Boys Don’t Cry (1999) and Million Dollar Baby (2004). Additionally, she received two Golden Globe Awards for these performances. Swank also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Million Dollar Baby. Her accolades include Critics’ Choice honors and numerous critics’ awards. In 2005, TIME named her among its 100 most influential people. These achievements established Swank as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed dramatic actresses.
Hilary Swank Business Ventures & Real Estate Investments
Hilary Swank expanded her career beyond acting through entrepreneurship and real estate investments. In 2016, she launched Mission Statement, a luxury activewear brand focused on versatile clothing and sustainable fashion. She also built wealth through strategic property ownership over the years.
In 2007, Swank purchased a Pacific Palisades villa for $5.8 million and listed it for $10.5 million in 2021. Additionally, she bought a Manhattan apartment in 2009 for approximately $3.64 million. She later sold that property in 2024 for $5.76 million, highlighting her real estate portfolio’s potential financial value.
Hilary Swank Family: Parents & Siblings
Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Judy Kay Swank and Stephen Michael Swank. Her mother worked as a secretary and dancer, while her father served in the Oregon Air National Guard before becoming a traveling salesman. Hilary also has an older brother, Daniel (Dan) Swank, who is eight years her senior. When her parents separated during her teenage years, Judy supported Hilary’s acting ambitions and moved with her to Los Angeles. Despite financial struggles, her mother’s encouragement helped shape Hilary’s successful Hollywood career.
Hilary Swank Husband | Spouse: Philip Schneider
Hilary Swank’s husband is Philip Schneider, an entrepreneur known for his social venture work. The couple met on a blind date arranged by mutual friends in 2015. After dating for approximately a year and a half, Schneider proposed during a romantic trip to Colorado in 2016. They married in August 2018 at the Santa Lucia Preserve in California, surrounded by redwood trees. The couple welcomed twins, Aya and Ohm, in April 2023. In October 2026, Swank announced they were expecting their third child, due in December.
Hilary Swank Dating History | Ex-Husband Chad Lowe and Past Relationships
Hilary Swank’s dating history includes two marriages and several notable relationships. She married actor Chad Lowe in 1997 after they met through their acting careers. However, they separated in 2006 and finalized their divorce in 2007. Later, Swank dated her agent, John Campisi, from 2006 until 2012. In 2015, she began dating financial adviser and former tennis player Rubén Torres, and they announced their engagement in 2016. However, they ended their engagement that June. Swank later married entrepreneur Philip Schneider in August 2018.
Hilary Swank Children | Kids: Twins
Hilary Swank has twins named Aya and Ohm with her husband, entrepreneur Philip Schneider. The couple welcomed their daughter and son in April 2023, marking Swank’s first experience of motherhood. She was 48 years old when she became a mother. In February 2024, the Million Dollar Baby actress revealed their names through a sweet social media post. Since becoming a mother, Swank has shared occasional glimpses of family life while protecting her children’s privacy. In October 2026, she announced she was expecting her third child, with the baby expected around December.
Hilary Swank Pregnant With Third Baby: Latest Pregnancy News and Due Date
Hilary Swank is pregnant with her third child with husband Philip Schneider. The 52-year-old Oscar-winning actress announced her pregnancy on October 14, 2026, through a playful Instagram video featuring her family. In the clip, Swank, Schneider, and their twins, Aya and Ohm, danced with glow sticks. A tiny glowing baby figure on Swank’s belly revealed the exciting news. Additionally, her caption hinted that the baby would arrive in December 2026. Swank welcomed her twins in April 2023 at age 48, and she is now preparing to expand her family.
Hilary Swank Net Worth
Hilary Swank has an estimated net worth of $70 million in 2026. The American actress built her wealth through decades of successful film and television roles. She earned critical acclaim and major career opportunities after winning Academy Awards for Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby. Additionally, Swank expanded her income through film production, business ventures, and real estate investments. Her extensive Hollywood career continues to support her financial success. However, the $70 million figure remains an estimate, not a verified financial disclosure.
Hilary Swank Quick Facts
- Full Name: Hilary Ann Swank
- Date of Birth: July 30, 1974
- Age: 52 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthplace: Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Mixed European ancestry, including Mexican heritage
- Profession: Actress and film producer
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Parents: Judy Kay Swank and Stephen Michael Swank
- Sibling: Dan Swank
- Husband: Philip Schneider
- Ex-Husband: Chad Lowe
- Children: Twins Aya and Ohm
- Awards: Two Academy Awards for Best Actress
- Estimated Net Worth: $70 million
- Upcoming Family News: Expecting her third child in December 2026
