Actor Michelle Williams still has fond memories of the countryside of Montana, where she was born in Kalispell in 1980. She was part of a large family, and was encouraged to read and enjoy the outdoors at an early age by her father. She didn't get too many years to enjoy that view of the great outdoors though - when she was nine, the family upped sticks and moved to California. It was there that she saw a theater performance of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' and immediately knew what she wanted to do for a living.
Her dedicated family drove her between San Diego and Los Angeles repeatedly so she could attend auditions, and the process soon paid off. At thirteen, she had a small part in 'Baywatch.' In 1994, she starred in the 90s movie remake of 'Lassie,' and finally got her wish of being pulled out of school so she could focus on her burgeoning career. 'Dawson's Creek' came not long after that, and set the stage for her to take on a breakout role in 'Brokeback Mountain.'