Evan Rachel Wood

Up-and-coming actress Evan Rachel Wood was born today in 1987. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wood was raised by a family with rich history in the industry (her mother was an actress while her father acted, directed theater and wrote plays). Her short career has been impressive so far, and she has set herself up to be a force in independent cinema for years to come. After spending years performing exclusively for television, the actress was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in Thirteen, playing a young girl exposed to sex and drugs too young. She continued to explore themes of young sexuality in 2005’s Pretty Persuasion and the critically acclaimed Down in the Valley, where she played Edward Norton’s much younger girlfriend.

Coming Attractions: Wood will be starring in Across the Universe, a Beatles-themed musical opening on Sep. 21. She claims the role “changed her life” and it inspired her to get a tattoo on her ankle–a combination of diamonds, strawberries and a blackbird to mark her part as Lucy and the Beatles’ popular song “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.”