Born in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon, she began her acting career in the late 1990s. She gained prominence for voicing Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and for her chilling role as Samara in "The Ring." Her performance in "The Ring" won her the Best Villain award at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. She also starred in HBO's "Big Love" and appeared in "Donnie Darko." Apart from acting, she has pursued music and modeling, showcasing her diverse talents in the entertainment industry.