Kirsten Caroline Dunst was born on April 30, 1982, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, to Klaus Dunst, a medical services executive, and Inez Rupprecht, an artist and former airline attendant. She has a younger brother, Christian Dunst. Her ancestry includes German and Swedish heritage. Dunst began her career as a child model and actress, appearing in commercials as early as age three.
Dunst’s acting debut was in a small role in Woody Allen’s “Oedipus Wrecks,” a segment of the film “New York Stories” (1989). She gained wider recognition for her portrayal of Claudia in “Interview with the Vampire” (1994), earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Other notable early roles include “Little Women” (1994) and “Jumanji” (1995).
As Dunst transitioned into her teenage years, she starred in films such as “The Virgin Suicides” (1999), directed by Sofia Coppola, and “Dick” (1999). She achieved mainstream success with her role as Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy (2002-2007), solidifying her status as a leading actress.
Dunst’s filmography includes a diverse range of genres and roles. Some of her most popular and critically acclaimed films include: