Jennifer Love Hewitt

Biography:  Jennifer Love Hewitt got her first name from her older brother Todd Daniel Hewitt (b. November 8, 1970), who picked the name after a little blonde girl he then had a crush on. Her mother selected her middle name, Love, which she goes by offstage from her best friend at college. Her mother, Pat, is a speech pathologist and her father, Danny, is a medical technician. Her parents got separated when she was six months old. Born in Waco, Texas, she was raised by her mother in Harker Heights, Texas. She made her official performing debut at the age of 3, where she sang at a livestock show. At age 5, she was taking tap, jazz, and ballet lessons, which led her to joining the Texas Show Team, which toured the Soviet Union and Europe. At age 10, the family moved to L.A. with the encouragement of talent scouts, while Todd stayed behind to finish high school in Texas. Jennifer quickly found commercial work and a role on Disney's "Kids Incorporated" (1984) in 1984. She went through a series of television flops before finally hitting it big on "Party of Five" (1994) in 1995. She sent 3 dozen pink roses to Gwyneth Paltrow the night before Paltrow won the Oscar in 1999. Hewitt also wrote her a 2-page letter, praising her as a role model and admiring her work. Paltrow sent a reply a week later, and Hewitt framed it - "it's my favorite thing". She was almost cast as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet (1996), but at the last moment, she lost the part to Claire Danes because the director felt she wasn't "modern" enough. She lost the role of Darlene in Brokedown Palace (1999) to Kate Beckinsale because of scheduling conflicts. She auditioned for the role of Tricia Jones in Mallrats (1995). She was considered for the role of Helen in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) before being cast as Julie. At the age of 4, while at a restaurant-dance hall, she'd disappeared. She was found on the stage singing "Help Me make It Through The Night". Hewitt's first job was on "Kids Incorporated" (1984). Little did she know that one of the guest stars would turn out to be her future co-worker on "Party of Five" (1994), Scott Wolf. She was considered for the title role in Lolita (1997). She attended school with actress Christine Lakin. Both graduated from Laurel Springs High School, class of 1997. She was offered a role on the WB's "Charmed" (1998), taking over Shannen Doherty's place, but turned it down.  She was Enrique Iglesias's girlfriend in his video for "Hero". She broke her finger filming the "flopper dive" scene in Heartbreakers (2001). She was voted in at #7 in FHM's Sexiest Girls of 2002 poll, American edition. Her mom is Italian, and her father is German. She hosted the Comedy for a Cure and raised over $100,000 for Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance's research programs. She was voted #14 in Rush Magazine's Sexiest Women 2002 list. Performing as Nancy Sinatra on NBC's "American Dreams" (2002), she adopted a puppy on location and named her Boots. At the time, she was performing "These Boots Were Made For Walking," and hence the appropriate name. She dated Rich Cronin of LFO (1999-2001). She has recorded four albums: "Love Songs" in 1992, "Let's Go Bang" in 1995, "Jennifer Love Hewitt" in 1996, and "BareNaked" in 2002, which was produced by singer/songwriter Meredith Brooks. She briefly dated actor Wilmer Valderrama (1999). She was ranked #11 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002). She was listed as a potential nominee on both the 2003 and 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballots. She was listed as a suggestion in the Worst Actress category on the 2003 ballot for her performance in the film The Tuxedo (2002). And was suggested again two years later in the Worst Actress category of the 2005 ballot for her role in Garfield (2004). She failed to receive either of the nominations. She was named #32 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2005 list. Contrary to reports, she was not replaced by 'Jennifer Lopez' in The Wedding Planner (2001). Hewitt has stated in interviews that she had been developing her own film by the same title, but was forced to cancel it once the film with Lopez was released. The two films were unrelated. She was ranked #24 in the 100 Greatest Teen Stars. She was named #20 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005). She was named #43 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). She got engaged to Ross McCall [November 29, 2007]. She was a fan of the Glasgow Celtic Football Club. She is slightly claustrophobic, and while filming an episode of Ghost Whisperer (2007), in an underground tunnel set, a removable wall had to be installed so she could get out quickly. She was ranked #20 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list. She was also ranked #96 on the Forbes Celebrity 100 List for 2008. The annual list ranked the most powerful and best-paid celebrities in Hollywood (2008).