Kirsten was born Kirsten Caroline Dunst on the 30th of April, 1982, at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. And the name's pronounced Keersten, not Kursten. Her father, Klaus, was a medical services executive. Her mother, Inez, was an artist and former gallery owner. Klaus didn't think much would come of it, but Inez began to put young Kirsten forward as a model, such that she was working by the age of 3. By 4, she was signed up to Elite and the Ford Agency. She made her TV debut in an ad for dollies that really wet themselves - she would appear in over 70 ads in all - and her debut proper, aged 6, on Saturday Night Live, playing the grandchild of Dana Carvey's President Bush. All the while, she attended Ranney School at Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Kirsten graduated from Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles.

Although Kirsten is a young actress, she is an accomplished professional, and is living proof that age is not a measure of one's talent or success. Kirsten made her feature film debut in a segment of Woody Allen's film "New York Stories". Kirsten made her breakthrough performance in "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" along side stars Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination, the MTV Award for Best Breakthrough Performance and the Saturn award for Best Young Actress. In 1995, she was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People. Kirsten recently has had an outstanding performance as Lux Lisbon in Sofia Coppola's directorial debut, "The Virgin Suicides", about the sexually curious and rebellious daughter of overprotective parents, played by Kathleen Turner and James Woods.

She also has been in her recurring role of Hedril in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and unfortunately never got the chance to perform opposite Jeri Ryan who is part of the Star Trek Voyager series. Kristen provided her voice for the animated film "Anastasia", and has also landed a role in "Little Women", with Winona Ryder, and the comedy "Greedy", with Kirk Douglas. Kirsten presently lives in Burbank, California, with her mother, brother Christian, her two cats, and the family dog Beauty. When not acting, Kristen enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, especially Jewel, and playing softball.