From trailer park to Hollywood royalty: Hilary Swank’s journey

As a young girl with a passion for acting, she was encouraged to perform in school plays and local theater productions.

“I had some teachers that I still think of fondly and were amazing to me. But I had other teachers who said, ‘You know what? This dream of yours is a hobby,’” Swank told CBS, adding that that her mom’s unwavering support is all that matters.

“My mom said to me that I could do anything I wanted in life. As long as I worked hard enough,” Swank told the outlet in 2005 after picking up her second Oscar. “And to this day, it still makes me really emotional, because I just never questioned it, you know? She just always believed in me.”

When she was 15, her parents – Judy and Stephen – split.

Using the separation as an opportunity to support her daughter, Judy made a bold decision: they would move to Los Angeles so Hilary could pursue her dream.

The pair packed up their belongings and drove to Hollywood with hope as their compass – and little else.

Arriving in Los AngelesContinue reading…

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