Anna Faris on AllMovie

Difficult to recognize in her natural blonde state following her turn as a raven-haired Neve Campbell knockoff in Scary Movie (2000), Anna Faris made her professional acting debut at the tender age of nine at Washington's Seattle Repertory Theater. Refining her skills in improvisational theater, Faris later found roles in commercials and small local productions, though her future as an actress came into question as she pursued further education and a move overseas.

Born November 29, 1976, Faris was raised in Seattle and studied English Literature at the University of Washington after high school, later moving to London to begin working and writing. Longing to return to her childhood love of acting, Faris took a role in the run-of-the-mill teen slasher pic Lover's Lane (1999). Making the move to Los Angeles in order to pursue an acting career full time, Faris' previous improvisational experiences would soon come in handy as she landed her breakthrough role in the popular Scream-slanted spoof of teen slasher pics, Scary Movie. Of course that role was only the beginning for young Faris, and after returning in Scary Movie 2 the following year she portrayed the co-worker and love interest of the titular character in director Lucky McKee's offbeat sleeper May. A supporting role in the Rob Schneider comedy The Hot Chick was followed by the little-seen Sheer Bliss in 2002, and the following year Faris once again scored a hit with her portrayal of a self absorbed starlet in Sofia Coppola's critically acclaimed Lost in Translation. Though it may have been something of a given that Faris would return to the screen for Scary Movie 3 in 2003, many longtime fans were surprised to see her sporting her original blonde locks - a move that effectively banished the previous installments' Neve Campbell connection and forced audiences to take Faris' finely honed comic abilities on their own terms. In 2004 the talented comic actress would make a series of appearances on the hit sitcom Friends. 2005 found her yet again being the very best aspect of an otherwise underwhelming comedy, Just Friends. However her few scenes in the multiple Oscar winning Brokeback Mountain showcased her remarkable skills, and allowed her to be funny while still showcasing her in a more dramatic context. She returned to the Scary Movie franchise for a fourth time in 2006, but she also showed up to support Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, and Rainn Wilson in Ivan Reitman's comedy My Super Ex-Girlfriend.

In 2007, Faris joined actors Jon Heder, Jeff Daniels, and DIane Keaton for Mama’s Boy, and shone in the stoner comdy Smiley Face. Her peformance in the latter film won the “Stoner of the Year” award at High Times magazines 2007 Stony Awards, and further endeared the actress to her already loyal fan following. 2008 found Faris producing and starring in The House Bunny. Featuring a cameo appearance from Hef’s famous girlfriends Holly, Bridget, and Kendra, the film followed a retired Playboy bunny (Faris) as she tried to make a life for heself outside the doors of the famous Playboy mansion. Faris put her vocal talents to the test once more for 2009’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and as the lead singer of an all-girl band iin Alvin and the Chipmunk:The Squeakquel (also in 2009), and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). Faris also continued to stick to her comedy roots with on-screen performances in the retro '80s comedy Take Me Home Tonight and rom-com What Your Number? (both 2011), before holding her own opposite Sacha Baron Cohen in his 2012 comedy The Dictator.