Beauty and the Beast

Background:

Elisha Cuthbert's beauty is stunning and she is earning fans by the masses. Playing Kiefer Sutherland's daughter, Kim Bauer, in Fox's real-time drama "24" stepped her up before the magical spotlight, but beauty, talent and dedication keeps her there. After all, how many actresses do you know can boast they have been attacked by a cougar while shooting a TV series ("24")?

Elisha said, "My stunt double was petting the animal, so I put my hand out to stroke it and it bit me, it almost ripped my thumb off. I was rushed to hospital with two puncture wounds, one of which went right through my hand, I had a brace on my hand for five weeks and now I'm left with a cool scar."

Scar or not, Elisha Cuthbert may be the epitome of Beauty and the Beast. "I believe not giving up on doing things."

Canadian's Heesh

Childhood and Family:

Elisha Ann Cuthbert was born on November 30, 1982 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The 5'6 Canadian beauty, nicknamed Heesh, grew up in Montreal until moving to Las Angeles California at age 17.

"I was lucky. I found what I wanted to do when I was 11."

The Perfect Beauty

Career:

Elisha Cuthbert's career began when she was 7, modeling children's clothing, and as a foot model, for magazines and catalogs. Her childhood memory from this time focuses on the free cookies she was privy to.

Later, after appearing as Sarah in an animated family drama titled Dancing on the Moon, she became the global correspondent for the award-winning show, Popular Mechanics for Kids. During this time she also appeared in the films Airspeed (1998), Nico the Unicorn (1998), Time at the Top (1999) and Who Gets the House? (1999). Elisha also won the role of Megan in the Nickelodeon series Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Her childhood acting career kept her busy, with shows such as Believe (2000) and Mail to the Chief (2000) starring Randy Quaid, added to her credits.

The TV movie called Lucky Girl (2001), snagged Elisha a Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries.

The riveting TV Series, "24", starring Kiefer Sutherland, slammed Elisha before a mass audience in the role of Kimberly 'Kim' Bauer. The show's huge success earned a Golden Globe Award in 2004 for Best Television Series- Drama.

She also can be seen as Danielle in 2004's The Girl Next Door and played a minor role in the movie (Love Actually (2003).

Awards:

• Gemini Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series, MY DAUGHTER'S SECRET LIFE (2001)