An earthy blonde with soulful eyes and a mischievously playful smile, burgeoning actress Ellen Pompeo's career began to soar after a memorable turn as Jake Gyllenhaal's sympathetic love interest in director Brad Silberling's introspective family drama Moonlight Mile. With roles in such eagerly anticipated films as Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can (2002) and the comic-book adaptation Daredevil (2003) following close on the heels of what many considered an Oscar-worthy performance in Moonlight Mile, it seemed as if Pompeo was on the verge of becoming a well-known star. A native of Everett, MA, Pompeo got her start as an actress with a pair of appearances in the popular television drama Law & Order. Subsequently cast in the coming-of-age teen-sex comedy Coming Soon (1999), Pompeo continued to refine her skills as a harried waitress in the comedy In the Weeds (2000) while also appearing in a pair of comedic shorts entitled 8 1/2 x 11 (1999) and Eventual Wife (2000). Her recognition factor on the rise, numerous fans and critics considered Pompeo's turn in Moonlight Mile to be her breakout role.