MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Actresses Hilary Duff

When once asked in a New York Times interview if she was going to emulate Britney Spears by baring it all for her fans, Hilary Duff made a revolutionary statement (by show-biz standards at any rate) about where her career is headed, and about growing up...

"It means different things to different people," Duff cheerily replied, adding "I don't think it means taking your clothes off ... or having my boobs pushed up to my chin."

Pretty, intelligent, and with talent to spare everyone's favorite girl next door was born in Houston, Texas on September 28, 1987.

In her teens, Duff developed a passion for acting and after minor parts in movies and TV shows, was cast in her first starring role as Ellie in Soul Collector. However, her biggest break came when she was cast in the part of Lizzie in the Disney Channel Series Lizzie McGuire, an instant hit.

Following that success, Duff was cast in the Disney cable movie, Cadet Kelly. Meanwhile, the Lizzie McGuire sitcom continued to attract millions of Hilary Duff fans who also snatched up the show's soundtrack album, along with Duff's special Christmas Album recorded in 2002.

As a natural follow-up to her hit series, Duff was soon drawing summer crowds at movie box offices with the release of The Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003. Its success resulted in Duff' ultimately announcing that she would be leaving TV to persue a career in movies.

True to form, Duff had racked up two successful big screen performances by the end of that year with lead roles in Agent Cody Banks and Cheaper by the Dozen.

Another major hit in 2004 came with Cinderella Story followed by Raise Your Voice which opened later in the year. In 2005, Hilary Duff returned to the big screen opposite Heather Locklear as daughter and mother in the comedy The Perfect Man - and in 2006 co-starred with sister Haylie in Material Girls.

Her latest album, "Dignity" was released in April 2007 and immediately went gold with the release of "With Love", her biggest US single to date. In 2009, fans closely followed her return to television with a recurring role in Gossip Girls.

Offstage, Duff has been romantically linked with rocker Joel Madden, and most recently to NHL Edmonton Oiler hockey center Mike Comrie, with whom she announced her engagement in February 2010.

The couple, who have been inseparable throughout their two-year courtship, have yet to announce a date or location for the impending wedding.

More about Hilary Duff around the Web:

Hilary Duff - Official Fan Site - All the latest news, tour dates and new album releases, with picture galleries, biography, an online shop and fan club details.

MTV.com - Hilary Duff - Related news, music and video clips, tour dates, photo galleries, biography.

Hilary Duff - Topix.com - Late breaking news about the actress from around the Web.

Hilary Duff Current Month TV Schedule - Where to find her in upcoming TV shows and movies around the cable dial.

Also see -> Jessica Alba | Jennifer Aniston | Drew Barrymore

Scarlett Johansson | Nicole Kidman | Alyssa Milano

Natalie Portman | Catherine Zeta-Jones