Hilary Duff‘s growth from a beloved child star to a mature and versatile artist has been marked by careful role choices, an expanding music career, and a willingness to take on new challenges. From her early success on the Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire to her parts in more adult-oriented projects like Younger, Duff has developed and changed in her career while maintaining the fan following and charm that made her a household name.
In addition to her acting career, she made strides as a pop star. Her albums, like Metamorphosis and Dignity, showcased her musical talent and lack of fear to explore new sounds and mature themes. In this way, she could stay relevant to her audience even as they became older. Moreover, Duff took a break from acting to concentrate on her music and personal life, a move credited with saving her from falling into the trap of being typecast as a typical child star. After taking some time off, she returned to the entertainment industry with new eyes and an appetite for more mature roles.
In a nutshell, Hilary Duff’s career arc indicates an artist who welcomes the chance for growth and adaptation in the face of change. It illustrates a well-planned path taken and the adaptability of a remarkable talent. In the public eye, she has managed to age with accomplishments, which is a credit to her skills as an actress and performer. And as Duff keeps looking for new ways to show off her skills, these are some of the best works from her acting portfolio.
10. The Haunting of Sharon Tate (2019)
Hilary Duff played Sharon Tate, a bright and dazzling young actress cruelly murdered in 1969 by Charles Manson’s cult members, in The Haunting of Sharon Tate. Duff’s portrayal of Tate was a significant change from her earlier work, signaling a turning point in her career as she tackled more serious and adult themes. The film is based on a quotation from an interview with the real Sharon Tate, who disclosed that she had dreams about her coming death.
Sharon suffers from a premonition of her death throughout the film. Duff’s portrayal of the shock and anxiety such a realization might cause exemplifies her ability to explore nuanced emotional range. Despite the film’s bleak premise, Duff portrayed Sharon Tate as a woman full of life and ambition whose life was cut short. Some critics praised Duff’s portrayal as the film’s shining light in an otherwise bleak and tragic dramatization of an actual incident. Despite the negative reviews, Duff’s performance as Sharon Tate was an impressive demonstration of her progress as an actress and her desire to stretch into new territory.
9. Agent Cody Banks (2003)
In Agent Cody Banks, Hilary Duff portrays Natalie Connors, the love interest of Frankie Muniz’s character, Cody Banks. This action-adventure comedy follows Cody, a young CIA agent who must get to know Natalie to keep tabs on her father, a scientist who has become unwittingly involved in a criminal plot.
Despite her naivety about the conspiracy around her, Natalie is not your average damsel in distress. She’s full of life and has a mind of her own. In the film’s climactic scene, she displays strength and bravery when needed most, allowing Cody to foil the villain’s plot. Duff’s performance in Agent Cody Banks gave the film a layer of charm and warmth, and her chemistry with Muniz was positively appreciated, helping to make the film a hit with younger viewers.
8. The Perfect Man (2005)
Mark Rosman and Gina Wendkos’ The Perfect Man is a romantic comedy film starring Hilary Duff as Holly Hamilton, a girl whose single mother tends to uproot the family whenever she has a disastrous relationship. Because of their mother’s erratic romantic relationships, Holly and her younger sister have frequently relocated, forcing them to adjust to new schools and communities.
Tired of her mother’s recurrent heartache and the ensuing relocations, Holly devises a scheme to establish a secret admirer for her mother, Jean, played by Heather Locklear. Holly aims to boost her mother’s confidence and keep the family steady. She starts sending her mother flowers and love notes from a “perfect man” who adores Jean for her personality and accomplishments, not just her appearance. However, Holly’s plan becomes tricky as she tries to maintain the pretense, resulting in amusing and uplifting occurrences.
7. Raise Your Voice (2004)
In Raise Your Voice, Hilary Duff starred as Terri Fletcher, a country girl with a great ambition: to make it as a pop star. Terri is a talented vocalist who finds comfort and fulfillment in singing. Despite her hopes, her overprotective father is against her joining a prominent summer music program in Los Angeles. Her brother, who had been so supportive of her and had sent in her audition tape, was killed in a vehicle accident just as she was about to start the program.
After moving to a new city, Terri begins intensive music training, develops romantic feelings, and struggles to accept the loss of her brother. Duff effectively portrays Terri’s emotional depth and evolution as she goes from a shy, introverted, small-town girl to a bold, outspoken artist. Duff’s performance in Raise Your Voice departed from her previous comedic appearances. She demonstrated her acting versatility by delving into a more emotional role dealing with loss and transition.
6. A Cinderella Story (2004)
Hilary Duff stars in A Cinderella Story as the unconventional Cinderella, Samantha “Sam” Montgomery. Sam, a senior in high school, lives with her vain stepmother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge), and two stepsisters who are also quite self-absorbed. Working at her late father’s diner, which her stepmother has taken over, Sam dreams of attending Princeton University. Despite not knowing each other’s identities, Sam keeps up an online relationship with a boy named Austin (played by Chad Michael Murray), who is also the school’s popular quarterback.
The film follows the well-known narrative of “Cinderella,” with high school drama and modern technology creating a fresh spin. Sam is still compassionate, driven, and optimistic despite her circumstances. At the school’s Halloween dance, the modern-day analog of the ball, she stands up for herself and, in the end, confesses her true identity to Austin. Duff did a great job making Sam likable and sympathetic. The character was like a modern-day Cinderella: she was sweet and graceful, strong-willed, intelligent, and ambitious.
5. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Lorraine Baker, played by Hilary Duff, is the fashion-conscious and slightly self-absorbed eldest daughter of the Baker family, which consists of two parents and twelve children in the family comedy film Cheaper by the Dozen. The movie, a reimagining of the 1950 original, follows the Baker family’s chaotic and humorous daily lives as parents Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, try to juggle demanding occupations with raising a large family.
Duff’s performance as Lorraine is a subtle blend of adolescent angst, a desire for independence, and an inkling of vulnerability. Lorraine may sometimes be self-absorbed and argumentative, but she always loves and supports her family. Besides being a commercial success, Cheaper by the Dozen marked a significant turning point in Duff’s career, being one of her first major cinematic appearances after the popularity of her TV series Lizzie McGuire.
4. Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)
Hilary Duff’s portrayal of Lizzie McGuire, a vibrant, sympathetic, and bumbling middle schooler navigating the trials and tribulations of teenage life, made the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire a smashing success. Lizzie McGuire is a regular young student struggling with romantic interests, platonic friendships, academics, family issues, and self-perception. Her unique selling point is a cartoon self-portrait that she updates with amusing commentary and reflective views.
Lizzie is consistently shown as a kind and thoughtful protagonist throughout the show. When it comes to her friends and family, she will go above and beyond, even if it means putting herself in an awkward position. Although she has typical adolescent problems, Lizzie always strives to do the right thing, and she usually does by the end of each episode.
3. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
When the popular Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire ended in 2003, the film The Lizzie McGuire Movie picked up where it left off. Hilary Duff returned to her role as the lovable and eccentric Lizzie McGuire, a teenager dealing with the challenges of growing up. After graduating from middle school, Lizzie and her classmates travel to Rome. A local tourist, Lizzie is confused for Isabella, an Italian pop diva with whom she shares a striking resemblance. Duff plays two characters in the film, Isabella and herself.
Lizzie agrees to imitate Isabella at an upcoming award presentation after being encouraged by Isabella’s singing partner, Paolo (who has ulterior motives). As a result, Lizzie has to combine sightseeing, rehearsals, and Paolo’s plan, leading to a series of hilarious and exhilarating misadventures. Duff does a fantastic job of capturing the innocence and clumsiness of Lizzie on the one hand and the confidence and glitz of Isabella on the other.
2. How I Met Your Father (2022-)
The new Hulu series How I Met Your Father features Hilary Duff as a character named Sophie. This sitcom is a standalone sequel to the hit show How I Met Your Mother and takes place in the same universe. It does, however, add new story aspects and characters while maintaining the heart and humor of its predecessor. Duff’s Sophie is a 29-year-old New York City-based photographer.
She’s a modern woman managing life’s ups and downs, notably in her love relationships. Sophie’s romantic life is lacking, so she constantly seeks love. The show mainly focuses on Sophie telling her son in the year 2050 about her life, including the time she met his father. In her account, she talks about the highs and lows of her love and friendship in New York City. She recalls everything from her biggest mistakes to her most enduring friendships.
1. Younger (2015-2021)
TV Land’s Younger stars Hilary Duff as Kelsey Peters, a book editor with ambitions in the city’s crowded publishing industry. The show revolves around Sutton Foster’s character, Liza Miller, a 40-year-old divorcee who lies about her age to land a job in the publishing sector. Kelsey, a rising star in the publishing world, assumes Liza is her age and quickly becomes good friends with her.
Kelsey is bold and fearless, which might cause problems in her personal and professional life. Kelsey may appear tough on the outside, but she has a tender side and is highly loyal to her friends. The series provided a platform for Duff to explore more adult topics, such as negotiating relationships at work, juggling many romantic pursuits, and fostering lasting friendships. Critics and viewers alike praised Younger for its clever script and convincing performances from the entire cast, including Duff.