Kirsten Caroline Dunst was born on April 30, 1982 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey to mother Inez (artist) and father Klaus (medical services executive). About four years later her brother Christian was born, completing the family.

Inez and Klaus had a prolonged separation, and finally divorced when Kirsten was 13. Kirsten started the road to stardom by becoming an Elite model at the age of four. She then worked her way through modeling, doing commercials and small roles in feature films and television until finally her big break came. Her role as the young vampire Claudia in Interview with the Vampire earned her instant fame and credibility as an actress at the young age of 13.

Kirsten as since done enough work for a lifetime, and she's only 19! Kirsten recently graduated high school and attended her prom with friend Andrew Ruby (even though Josh Hartnett offered to take her!) Kirsten plans on attending college to study literature after a break, but will continue acting. She lives in California with her mother and younger brother. She also started a production company with her mother, Wooden Spoon Productions.

Kirsten has also been involved with community service and charities, working with Tuesday's Child, Elizabeth's Glaser's Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and California Page Flippers, an organization to promote reading with young children.