Kirsten Caroline Dunst (born April 30, 1982) is an American actress, model, and singer. She made her film debut in
Oedipus Wrecks, a
short film directed by
Woody Allen for the anthology
New York Stories (1989). At the age of 12, Dunst gained widespread recognition playing the role of vampire
Claudia in
Interview with the Vampire (1994). She was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for this performance. That same year she appeared in
Little Women, to further acclaim.
Dunst achieved international fame as a result of her portrayal of
Mary Jane Watson in the
Spider-Man trilogy. Since then her films have included the romantic comedy
Wimbledon (2004), the science fiction drama
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and
Cameron Crowe's tragicomedy
Elizabethtown (2005). She played the title role in
Sofia Coppola's
Marie Antoinette (2006), and she starred in the comedy
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008).
In 2001, Dunst made her singing debut in the film
Get Over It, in which she performed two songs. She also sang the jazz song "
After You've Gone" for the end credits of the film
The Cat's Meow (2001). In early 2008 Dunst confirmed she was suffering from depression, checking into a treatment center before discharging herself in March and resuming her career.