Julia Stiles, born on March 28, 1981, in New York City, is an American actress known for her versatile roles in film and television. She is the eldest of three children of Judith Newcomb Stiles, an artist, and John O'Hara, an elementary school teacher. Stiles began her acting career at the age of 11 with the experimental off-Broadway La MaMa Theatre. Her early passion for Shakespeare and theater led to her breakout role in "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999), a modern adaptation of "The Taming of the Shrew," which earned her the Chicago Film Critics Award. She continued to explore Shakespearean roles with performances in "Hamlet" (2000) and "O" (2001), an adaptation of "Othello."

Stiles' film career includes notable roles in "The Bourne Identity" (2002), "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004), and "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007), where she co-starred with Matt Damon. She also appeared in ensemble dramas such as "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003) and "Carolina" (2003). Stiles temporarily interrupted her acting career to enroll at Columbia University, where she earned a degree in English. She has returned to the stage, appearing in David Mamet's "Oleanna" in London and on Broadway. Stiles continues to be active in the industry, with recent projects including "Chosen Family" (2024).