”She was at a crossroads. My father and her were getting separated, and she said, ‘Let’s go to California,’” says Swank. ”And so $75, and a Mobil card, we drove down to California.”
After they arrived in Los Angeles, the pair struggled, living in their car while Swank looked for auditions.
But they weren’t homeless for long.
Early roles
After some time in California, Swank left South Pasadena High School to focus on her acting career. Reflecting on her decision, she admitted, “I’m not proud to say I didn’t finish high school.”
”I felt like such an outsider. I didn’t feel like I fit in. I didn’t belong in any way. I didn’t even feel like the teachers wanted me there. I just felt like I wasn’t seen or understood,” she also said.
The young actor started landing guest roles on TV shows like Growing Pains and Camp Wilder, and in 1994 she had her big break in The Next Karate Kid.
While the movie didn’t catapult her to stardom, it gave her valuable experience and put her on Hollywood’s radar.
Her next high-profile role came on the hit TV series Beverly Hills, 90210. Swank had a starring role in the show’s eighth season but her character was written out after just 16 episodes.
“Not dropped, fired,” Swank said. “And I thought if I’m not a good enough actor for 90210,’ then maybe I should [pack it in.] I don’t know. I was devastated.”
But instead of letting the setback crush her confidence, it instead fueled her fire.
