Born in Los Angeles in 1947, she began her acting career in the early 1960s. She gained prominence for her role as Mattie Ross in the 1969 film "True Grit" alongside John Wayne. Known for her youthful looks and strong screen presence, she continued to act in both film and television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her career includes appearances in projects like "The Strawberry Statement" and "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark." She also guest-starred in popular TV series such as "The X-Files" and "The Love Boat."