Hope Davis

Fans of independent films have long been aware of Hope Davis's charms as an actress, but it took her portrayal of Jack Nicholson's estranged daughter in 2002's About Schmidt to bring her to the attention of wider audiences.

Born March 23, 1964, in Englewood, N.J., Davis graduated from Vassar and studied acting in London before heading back to America to try her luck on the Chicago stage. After appearing in numerous productions at the prestigious Goodman Theatre, she began to get offers from Hollywood.

In 1990, Davis made her film debut in Flatliners and, by the middle of the decade, was receiving acclaim for her roles in indie fare such as Next Stop Wonderland (1998) and Arlington Road (1999). Bigger parts in bigger movies followed, including American Splendor (2003) and Proof (2005). She earned Emmy and Golden Globe nods in 2010 for her performance as Hillary Clinton in the HBO film The Special Relationship.

Real Steel

2011 PG-13

In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender.