Haylie Duff
About
Biography
Biography
Following in her little sister Hilary's sizeable footsteps, actress Haylie Duff began her acting career as an offshoot of her early dance training. Growing up in Texas, Duff began ballet at an early age. By age ten, Duff landed a role in the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company's production of "The Nutcracker." Within a year, Duff had moved on to roles in television. Starting with a small, uncredited part in the 1997 mini-series "True Women," Duff followed up a supporting role in the made-for-TV movie, "Hope," helmed by first-time director Goldie Hawn. Both films were shot in Texas, which allowed Duff to, at least initially, maintain a balance between her home life and early career.
Moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time later that year, Duff promptly landed a role in the direct-to-video sequel "Addams Family Values" directed by Dave Payne. The sub-par film was savaged by the few critics who bothered to see it. Nevertheless, it served as Duff's entry into Hollywood proper. Fortunately, Duff's next two projects were better received by reviewers (albeit, equally ignored by audiences). In the critically lauded "Dreams in the Attic" (2000), Duff played Jessica, the lonely niece of an eccentric costume shop proprietor (portrayed by Shelley Duvall) who discovers a chest full of magical dreams and fantasies hidden away in a dusty old attic. Duff next popped up in the comedy short "The Newman Shower" (2001), a coming-of-age teen escapade set in the late 1980's at a summer camp.
In between these projects, Duff continued to remain busy with guest appearances on television. In addition to guest-starring roles on and "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000) "Boston Public" (Fox, 2000-2004), and "Third Watch" (NBC, 1999-2005), Duff became a familiar face starting in late 2002 as Cousin Amy on the kiddie hit, "Lizzie McGuire" (Disney Channel, 2001-2004). The star of that show was, of course, Duff's own younger sister, Hilary, whose own acting career was just starting to take off at the time. Hilary's career would quickly eclipse her sibling's in short time, but Haylie would continue to maintain a presence on the small screen.
In 2004, Haylie Duff's memorable turn as bad girl Katina Jones in an episode of "That's So Raven," caught the eye of writer-director Jared Hess, who was seeking an actress to play a similar role in his quirky new independent movie, "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004). The film, which opened to rave reviews, became an instant cult hit and catapulted many of its stars on to bigger and better things. While the success of "Napoleon Dynamite" proved far more of a career boon for its lead, newcomer Jon Heder, critics also took notice of its supporting players, including Duff, Efrem Ramirez, and Tina Majorino. Though hers was the smallest role of the four, Duff's turn as snob princess Summer Wheatly was nevertheless applauded for giving "Napoleon Dynamite" its true-to-life social satire edge. In 2005, Duff found herself with an incredibly full plate. In addition to appearing with sister Hilary in a multi-episode arc of the CBS drama "Joan of Arcadia," Duff joined the cast of the long running WB series "7th Heaven" for its tenth and final season. In it, Duff played the role of Sandy Jameson, a pregnant college student who throws young Martin Brewer's life into turmoil.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1997
Made her screen debut in a small, uncredited part in the mini-series "True Women"
1997
Had a supporting role as Martha Jean Pruitt, in the made-for-TV movie "Hope," helmed by first-time director Goldie Hawn
1998
Appeared in the direct-to-video sequel "Addams Family Values" directed by Dave Payne
2001
Cast in the comedy short "The Newman Shower," a coming-of-age teen comedy set in the late 1980¿s at a summer camp
2002
Cast in the recurring role of Lizzie's Cousin Amy on "Lizzie McGuire," the Disney series that starred her sister Hilary
2003
With sister Hilary, appeared as the real life Weiss sisters from the girl group the Shangri-Las, on an episode of "American Dreams" (NBC)
2004
Had a small but memorable role as bad girl Katina Jones on an episode of "That¿s So Raven" (Disney)
2004
Cast as the mean-spirited, Summer Wheatly in Jared Hess¿ independent film "Napoleon Dynamite"
2005
Joined the cast of the WB series "7th Heaven," in its final season
2006
Made Broadway debut as Amber Von Tussle in "Hairspray"
2006
Co-starred with real life sister, Hilary Duff as a pair of cosmetics heiress who lose their fortune in the comedy "Material Girls"
2008
Co-hosted the reality show "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" (MTV), also executive produced
