biography

Eliza Patricia Dushku was born in Boston on December 30, 1980. She was raised Mormon in her home town of Watertown, Massachusetts. Curently twenty, she started out doing numerous productions at the Watertown Children's Theatre, a place where she sometimes still performs by signing plays to the deaf.

At the age of ten Eliza made her film debut in the movie 'That Night'. The 1992 film gave Dushku a large role that put her in the spotlight. The following year Dushku landed a role as Pearl alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in 1993. Leonardo taught Eliza a valueable lesson. She was constantly being badgered by students and teachers about her film making. DiCaprio changed things quite a bit for her. He taught her how to deal with bullies and other high school dangers. Dushku says she is, "..forever grateful to him."

Dushku continued to get roles, many minor, over the next few years. The last film she appeard in was 'Bring it On', where she stars as a cheerleader, also starring Kirsten Dunst. Before this, Eliza took both her junior and senior years away from acting to bring her grades up. And she did. Dushku has been accepted to both Boston and George Washington Universities though she is holding off to work on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', and more recently, 'Angel'.

Eliza lived in Watertown, Massachusetts where she graduated high school. In August of 1998, Eliza finalized her deal to star on 'Buffy' and headed out to L.A. Due to the fact that minors can only work limited hours, Eliza was legally emancipated from her parents, who are both college professors.

Eliza recently moved to Los Angeles with Nate, the oldest of her three brothers. Nate is Eliza's best friend and, as she puts it, "partner in crime".

A list of Eliza's favorite things

Favorite Music: Beastie boys
Favorite TV show: Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Favorite Movie: Beaches
Favorite Book: The Godfather
Favorite Colour: Black
Favorite Sports: Girls' Ice Hockey, New England Patriots
Favorite Activity: Hanging out with her family. "I love my family; my family's the greatest. Any chance I can get to see them it's the coolest thing."

Biography taken from elizadushku.org