Born on March 24, 1977, in Sacramento, California, she is an acclaimed American actress known for her versatility and strong performances in film and theater. After studying at Juilliard, she made her film debut in the late 2000s. Gaining prominence with roles in "The Help" (2011) and "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012), she earned multiple award nominations, including Oscars and Golden Globes. She is also a producer and advocate for gender equality in Hollywood.