Hilary Duff

Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, businesswoman, and author. Duff began her acting career at a young age, and was soon labeled a teen idol after playing the title character in the Disney Channel comedy series Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004) and the film based on the series, The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003). Thereafter, she appeared in numerous mainstream films such as Cadet Kelly (2002), Agent Cody Banks (2003), Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), A Cinderella Story (2004), and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005).

In 2026, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

She also appeared in independent films playing a wider range of adult-themed roles, such as War, Inc. (2008), According to Greta (2009), Bloodworth (2011), and The Haunting of Sharon Tate (2019). Duff starred as Kelsey Peters in TV Land's longest-running original series Younger (2015–2021) which earned her award nominations, and produced and starred as Sophie Tompkins in the Emmy-winning Hulu sitcom How I Met Your Father (2022–2023).

In 2002, Duff entered the music industry, and her debut studio album, the Christmas-themed Santa Claus Lane, was released that year through Walt Disney Records. Duff later signed with Hollywood Records and achieved greater success with her second album, Metamorphosis (2003), which topped the Billboard 200 chart and earned a 4× Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She also enjoyed significant commercial success with her subsequent albums, Hilary Duff (2004) and Dignity (2007), as well as the 2005 compilation Most Wanted which all went to be certified platinum and gold. Following a decrease in musical activity, Duff signed with RCA Records for her fifth album, Breathe In. Breathe Out. (2015), before transferring to Atlantic Records for her sixth album, Luck... or Something (2026). She has received media praise and has been noted as a blueprint for subsequent teen Disney Channel stars such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and has sold an estimated 15 million records worldwide. Billboard ranked her at number 73 on their "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century Chart" list. She appeared on Forbes' annual Celebrity 100 list from 2004 to 2007.

Hilary Erhard Duff was born on September 28, 1987 in Houston. Her parents are Robert Erhard Duff, a partner in a chain of convenience stores, and Susan Colleen Duff (née Cobb), a homemaker turned film and music producer. She has an older sister named Haylie. She is a descendant of British Army officer Alexander Spotswood and of Catherine Carey. She grew up between Houston and San Antonio, where her father operated convenience stores. Encouraged by their mother, Duff, alongside her sister, enrolled in acting, singing, and ballet classes. The siblings earned roles in local theater productions, and later participated in a touring BalletMet production of The Nutcracker in San Antonio.

Increasingly interested in the pursuit of show business, the Duff sisters and their mother moved to California in 1993, while their father stayed in Houston to take care of his business. The sisters auditioned for several years and were cast in many television commercials. Due to her acting career, Hilary was home-schooled from the age of eight. The pair also modeled for various clothing brands. Hilary said, "My sister and I really showed an interest in [performing] and dedication, and [our mother] was like, 'How can I tell my kids no?' It's the same as kids that are going into sports. Parents support them and push them."

During the years she initially acted, Duff primarily played minor roles like her uncredited part in the Hallmark Entertainment western miniseries True Women (1997) and as an uncredited extra in the ensemble comedy-drama Playing by Heart (1998). The same year, Duff was cast in her first major role as Wendy in Casper Meets Wendy, based on the Harvey Comics characters. After appearing in the supporting role of Ellie in the television film The Soul Collector (1999), Duff received a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Pilot (Supporting Young Actress). In March 2000, Duff appeared as a sick child in the CBS medical drama series Chicago Hope. She was next cast as one of the children in the pilot episode of the NBC comedy series Daddio. Her Daddio co-star Michael Chiklis stated, "After working with her the first day, I remember saying to my wife, 'This young girl is gonna be a movie star.' She was completely at ease with herself and comfortable in her own skin." However, producers dropped Duff from the cast prior to the airing of the show.

A week after being dropped from Daddio, Duff landed the title role of a newly developed Disney Channel series, Lizzie McGuire. The program premiered on January 12, 2001, and received successful ratings, with an estimated 2.3 million viewers per episode. Duff quickly became labeled as a teen idol and household name, particularly within the show's pre-teen adolescent target demographic. Disney began marketing the series through soundtracks, books, dolls, toys, and video games based on Duff's character; the company reportedly made an estimated $100 million from the show's merchandise alone. The actress was featured in the Game Boy Advance video games that were created for her Lizzie McGuire character. Duff made her feature film debut in Human Nature (2001), in which she portrayed the younger version of Patricia Arquette's character. Duff also starred in the 2002 Disney Channel television film Cadet Kelly, for which she took a month of military training. The film became the network's most watched program in its then 19-year history.

Duff began making appearances on various soundtracks for the Disney Channel, recording a cover of the Brooke McClymont song "I Can't Wait" for the soundtrack to Lizzie McGuire. She later recorded a cover of "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" for DisneyMania. Upon expressing interest in a music career, production on Duff's debut Christmas-themed album began. Santa Claus Lane was released in October 2002, peaking in the lower portion of the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The album was initially distributed through Walt Disney Records, with Buena Vista Records later re-releasing the project. It went on to receive a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies. The album was initially only released in North America, and received numerous re-releases in the following years. Duff later signed a recording contract with Andre Recke of Hollywood Records to release future recordings. Though her early music recordings garnered much airplay on Radio Disney, Recke and Buena Vista Records envisioned Duff appealing to a more mature audience.

In March 2003, Duff stars in the adventure, action comedy film Agent Cody Banks alongside Frankie Muniz. Scott Foundas of Variety called Duff's performance "charming", but thought she was "sidelined with little to do much of the time". The same year, Duff reprised her role as Lizzie McGuire for The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Duff recorded the original song "What Dreams Are Made Of" for the film's finale, which was later included on the film's soundtrack. She also recorded the single "Why Not", which charted within the top 20 in Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The soundtrack to The Lizzie McGuire Movie went on to be certified Platinum in Canada and 2× Platinum by the RIAA.

Duff released her second studio album, Metamorphosis, in August 2003. The album received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. In the United States, it went on to reach the top of the Billboard 200 chart. The album became a major success for Duff, selling over five million copies within its first two years of release. Metamorphosis sold over three million copies in the United States, becoming her highest selling album to date and earning a 3× Platinum certification from the RIAA. The album spawned the successful singles "So Yesterday" and "Come Clean". "So Yesterday" achieved Platinum status in Australia and "Come Clean" received a Gold certification from the RIAA in the United States. "Come Clean" was used as the theme song to the MTV series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. Metamorphosis earned Duff multiple awards and nominations following its release. Duff further promoted the album with the Metamorphosis Tour that ran from November to December 2003. Later that year, Duff co-starred as one of the twelve children of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in the family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen, which remains her highest-grossing film to date. Slant Magazine reviewer Nick Schager wrote that Duff "does nothing more than look perky and stylish."

With her second album Metamorphosis, Duff's music featured prominent pop and pop rock elements. Listening to rock music as a child was her main influence behind its theme. She worked heavily with The Matrix for the album, leading critics to compare the effort to releases from artists such as Avril Lavigne, Ashlee Simpson, and Lindsay Lohan. These themes were featured more prominently on her third studio album, Hilary Duff. The album makes further use of strong drum and guitar beats. Duff co-wrote multiple songs for the album, with the lyrics speaking on topics such as criticism, following your dreams, and love. The new material featured on her Most Wanted (2005) compilation album began to see Duff transfer towards a more pop and dance friendly sound. This was later expanded upon for her fourth studio album, Dignity (2007). Dignity was heavily influenced by Europop, hip hop, and rock 'n roll. Duff described the music as "dance", "rock", and "electro". Duff co-wrote all but one of the songs on the album, which dealt with topics including her stalker, her breakup with Joel Madden, and her parents' divorce. One retrospective on the album called it "a pop hallmark".

Duff's 2014 releases featured a more folk influenced, "earthy" indie pop sound, compared to her previous releases. The singles "Chasing the Sun" and "All About You" featured banjos. The following year, Duff released Breathe In. Breathe Out., a dance-pop record which balanced EDM with the folk pop sound originally planned for the record. This album consolidated Duff as a dance-pop singer.

Following the launch of Lizzie McGuire, Duff received a significant amount of fame and media attention. The series proved to be a major hit for the network, and led to a string of merchandising that included Lizzie McGuire dolls, video games, plush figures, and McDonald's Happy Meal Toys. The success of The Lizzie McGuire Movie "indicated that Duff's television fanbase could be migrated to film." Following her success from Lizzie McGuire, Richard Huff of the New York Daily News called Duff "a 2002 version of Annette Funicello" but admitted that the character of Lizzie McGuire was both a blessing and a burden for her. In 2003, Huff stated that Duff's public image is "tied" to Lizzie McGuire.

Duff was credited with the revival of Hollywood Records following the release of Metamorphosis (2003). The San Fernando Valley Business Journal wrote that the album was "giving Hollywood Records a needed shot in the arm" after a decline in CD sales during the previous two years had forced the label to reduce costs and alter its operation. Hilliard Lyons analyst Jeffrey Thomison said Metamorphosis was a reflection of Disney's ability to develop "great synergy between their cable, film and music segments" Duff's transition from Disney star to successful singer became a formula that Hollywood Records tried to implement with future acts such as Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Bridgit Mendler among others. Artists such as Cyrus, Gomez, and Keke Palmer have all cited Duff as influences on their careers.

Her song "Come Clean" (2003) was used as the theme song for the MTV reality series Laguna Beach, which, in turn, helped promote the song in the United States. Her song "Sweet Sixteen" (2003) was used as the theme for the MTV reality series of the same name. Multiple dates on her Most Wanted Tour to promote Hilary Duff (2004) sold out in minutes. She had sold over fifteen million albums by 2014.

Some critics praised her transition from teenage star into adulthood, while her transition is often compared to the less successful transitions of her peers. In 2005, Katie Long from the Centre of Parent/Youth Understanding wrote an analysis of Duff and her suitability as an idol for young teens. Duff, she wrote, "is not like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera... yet" but remains "someone that adolescent girls can relate to." In 2007, Duff's appearance on the cover of Maxim was accompanied by the declaration that she had gone "from the queen of teen to breakout sex symbol." Following this, Duff placed at No. 23 on the annual Hot 100 Women list compiled by Maxim and peaked at No. 8 on the annual FHM list of the 100 Sexiest Women in 2008. The Associated Press wrote that this sudden provocativeness was representative of "a clear move [on Duff's part] to put her Lizzie McGuire past behind her", and that more provocative imaging of her would help her singles to garner mainstream radio play: "Ultimately, nature, time and genetics may help Duff in a way Disney, despite all its might, cannot." However, despite "the fact that she is grown up," Duff "has managed to maintain her sweet persona," wrote Young Hollywood.

Duff is very vocal about her disapproval of paparazzi photographing children. In 2014, Duff expressed her anger on Twitter regarding two paparazzi who were taking pictures of her son without her consent. She tweeted, "I chose to let them off with a stern warning, next time I will not be so nice. #NoKidsPolicy". The hashtag refers to a bill that was pushed by fellow actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner, which prohibits paparazzi from taking pictures of celebrities' children.

In 2001, it was confirmed that Duff was in a relationship with fellow teen star Aaron Carter. He later guest starred in an episode of Lizzie McGuire with her. The relationship garnered media attention with reports of a love triangle between Duff, Carter, and actress Lindsay Lohan. Duff and Carter continued an on-again-off-again relationship for three years, before ultimately ending their relationship.

In July 2004, 16-year-old Duff began dating Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, who was then 25 years old. After a long period of tabloid speculation, Duff's mother, Susan, announced their relationship in a June 2005 interview for Seventeen magazine. Madden worked with Duff on her compilation album, Most Wanted. In November 2006, Duff and Madden broke up. In 2015, Paper magazine observed that the media chose not to call the relationship illegal even though Duff was underage at the time.

Duff has been involved with various philanthropic activities. She donated $250,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and donated over 2.5 million meals to Hurricane Katrina victims in the southern US in 2005. In August 2006, Duff traveled to a New Orleans elementary school and worked with USA Harvest to distribute meals.

She has helped various youth charities and is a member of Kids with a Cause. Duff has also served on the advisory board of the Audrey Hepburn Child Benefit Fund and the Celebrity Council of Kids with a Cause. A supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, in October 2008 Duff starred in a public service announcement for The Think Before You Speak Campaign by Ad Council and GLSEN to prevent youth from using anti-LGBT vocabulary, such as the phrase "That's So Gay." In July 2009, Duff was named as a youth ambassador to the children of the Colombian capital, Bogotá. As a youth ambassador, she spent five days in the country, distributing backpacks filled with food to children in need.

In 2012, Duff was involved in the Johnson's Baby Cares campaign, which included activities such as sending care kits and care cards to new mothers across the U.S. as a motivation. It also raised funds for children and low-income families in partnership with Save the Children. In November 2013, Duff teamed up with Duracell in Canada for a campaign for kids in hospitals. The campaign donated 20,000 batteries to hospitals across Canada. To promote the campaign, Duff visited The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. She also discussed the campaign on the radio show Breakfast Television Toronto and in numerous magazine interviews.

She has participated in various online charity campaigns, including a partnership with Claritin. Duff raised relief efforts for the 2018 Hanalei floods via sales of her "Muse x Hilary Duff Collection". She also published a 2017 essay through Marie Claire about the damages that Hurricane Harvey left on her hometown. In 2020, Duff and Matthew Koma, her husband, donated to the Australian bushfires relief efforts. Also that year, she donated baby products to parents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic via her "Happy Little Camper" brand. In October 2020, she launched the "Veeda in Action" donation campaign, via her feminine care line "Veeda". Partnering with PERIOD, "a global, youth-powered non-profit that is fighting to end period poverty and period stigma through service, education, and advocacy", the donation campaign ran through the month of October to donate period products to those in need.

In March 2025, Billboard ranked Duff at No. 73 on its "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list. Among her various accolades, Duff has received seven Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, and two Young Artist Awards. She has been nominated for two People's Choice Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2026, Duff achieved her first No. 1 album in Australia with Luck… Or Something, marking the first chart-topping release of her career in the country and her first album in over a decade.