Let's make this birthday one to remember.

50 years old (Born on July 30, 1974)

Actress, film producer; She is famous from Brandon Teena on Boys Dont Cry.

Replaced Sandra Bullock as "Maggie Fitzgerald" in Million Dollar Baby (2004) after Bullock dropped out for other commitments. She and husband moved into a 4-story brownstone home in Greenwich Village (NYC) they bought for $4 million. (June, 2002) Grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where she went to Sehome High School. Earned $75 a day for Boys Don't Cry (1999). Joined Vivien Leigh, Helen Hayes, Sally Field and Luise Rainer as the only actresses with a perfect track record at the Oscars: Two nominations and two wins.

Discovered as a young child actor by producer Suzy Sachs.

She won the lead role of Brandon/Teena in Boys Don't Cry (1999) after hundreds of other actresses had been considered and rejected over the course of three years. Told director Kimberly Peirce that, like her character, she was also 21 and hailed from Lincoln, Nebraska. But she was fibbing, and when Peirce later confronted her with the lies, she winningly responded: "But that's what Brandon would do."

Her performance as "Brandon Teena" in Boys Don't Cry (1999) is ranked #83 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Met her ex-husband Chad Lowe on set of Quiet Days in Hollywood (1997), married after 5-month relationship.

Both of her Oscar-winning roles required huge physical changes.

Though she's known for her dramatic work, she starred in several sitcom pilots for CBS that never amounted to much.

Received the 2,325th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (8 January 2007).

As of 2008, she is only one of six actors who have a 2-0 winning record when nominated for an acting Oscar. The others are Luise Rainer for The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and The Good Earth (1937); Vivien Leigh for Gone with the Wind (1939) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951); Helen Hayes for The Sin of Madelon Claudet (1931) and Airport (1970); Sally Field for Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984); and Kevin Spacey for The Usual Suspects (1995) and American Beauty (1999).

Mother Judy Swank moved with her to LA area at age 16, where, impoverished for a while, they lived out of their car.

Her longtime companion has been her agent John Campisi since December 2006.

Auditioned for the role of Lucy Hatcher on the television series "The Practice" (1997).

Competed in the Junior Olympics and Washington state championships in swimming; ranked fifth in the state in all-around gymnastics.

Studies acting with Larry Moss.

First woman to win an Oscar in a role as a boxer.

Fined NZ$200 (AUD$190) for bringing undeclared fruit into New Zealand. She was found with an apple and orange at New Zealand's Auckland International Airport. She has since contested the fine (15 January 2005).

Ex-sister-in-law of makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff.

Made her film debut in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992).

Announced in January 2006 that she and her husband Chad Lowe are separating after 8 years of marriage.

Hilary's 20th birthday party was a 1974 themed party and was held in Hollywood at The Crush Bar.

Cut off all of her hair and lived as a boy for a month to prepare her for her role as Teena Brandon in Boys Don't Cry (1999).

Is of Spanish and Native American heritage.

Has 2 dogs: Karoo, a Corgi/Jack Russell mix, and Lucky, a German Shepherd/Labarador Retriever mix.

Considers herself a spiritual person, although she isn't member of an organized religion.

Awarded an Emery Award for her role in Boys Don't Cry (1999) (November 2006).

Named one of "People" magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000, 2004 and 2005.

For a few weeks before Boys Don't Cry (1999) began filming, she went out in public dressed as a boy. Many were fooled by the disguise.

Born to Stephen Swank, a Air National Guard officer, and his then wife Judy Swank, nu00e9e Clough, a secretary and dancer, she has a brother, Dan.

Is a vegetarian.

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2008 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Actress category for her performances in the films P.S. I Love You (2007) and The Reaping (2007). She failed to receive a nomination however.

Is the third youngest actress to win 2 Best Actress Academy Awards. Luise Rainer and Jodie Foster were the first and second, respectively.

Ex-sister-in-law of Rob Lowe.

Received a cut on the forehead during filming a scene of her movie P.S. I Love You (2007). She had to be brought to a hospital and received several stitches (November 2006).

Attended Santa Monica College.

Has been acting professionally since she was 16.

Was declared #6 on the show "Hollywood's Ten Best Beauty to Beast" transformations for the way she looked in Boys Don't Cry (1999). Three other actresses on the list were nominated for Oscars for their movies and two won: Charlize Theron (Monster (2003)), Halle Berry (Monster's Ball (2001)) and Salma Hayek (Frida (2002)).

Has a parrot and a cat named Tallinn.

Although she was naturally athletic from high school, she totally changed physically to play Maggie in Million Dollar Baby (2004). She gained nearly 20 pounds, becoming so buff that her former clothes are still too small for her.