Michelle Williams

MICHELLE WILLIAMS receives the Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.

She was born September 9, 1980, in Kalispell, Montana.

Her career began with various TV appearances, until getting her first big screen role in the adventure film “Lassie” (1994).

At age 15, much to her parents’ dismay, she emancipated herself from them so she could better pursue her acting career and not have to worry about child labor work laws.

She later moved to Los Angeles where she landed the role of Jen Lindley on the TV teen drama “Dawson’s Creek”.

She filled the role for five years (from 1998-2003) and essentially jump-started her career.

Williams focus shifted to movies as the 21st century neared, appearing in a number of independent films.

Her first box office acclaim would come a few years later for her role in “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), where she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Five years later she would get another nod from the Academy Awards, this time for Best Actress, for her work in the film “Blue Valentine” (2010).

Her most recent work may prove one of her biggest parts yet, as she stars as Marilyn Monroe in “My Week with Marilyn” (2011).

In 2004, Williams began dating Heath Ledger while working together on “Brokeback Mountain.” On October 28, 2005, she gave birth to their daughter Matilda Rose Ledger. But in 2007, the couple ended their relationship.

Information courtesy: The Internet Movie Database and Wikipedia.