Short Biography

Amber Laura Heard (born April 22, 1986) is an American actress. She attended St. Michael`s Catholic Academy in Austin, Texas until junior year, when she left to pursue a career in Hollywood. She has played minor roles in various television shows and movies. She is perhaps best known for her role of Greta Matthews on the CW television show, Hidden Palms. She plays the lead role (and title character) in All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 and was released theatrically in 2008. She has also been on the cover of Maxim and played Seth Rogen`s character`s girlfriend in Pineapple Express. She appears in the film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis` novel The Informers. Heard was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Her father David is a contractor and her mother Paige is an Internet researcher for the state. As a teenager Heard was active in her school`s drama department and appeared in local commercials and campaigns.

At the age of 16 she lost her best friend in a car crash. Heard said of the accident "That was the hardest blow emotionally that I have ever had to endure. Suddenly, you realize tomorrow might not come. Now I live by the motto, `Today is what I have.`" Heard, who was raised Catholic, now declares herself an atheist. After the death of her friend, Heard met her first serious boyfriend, who introduced her to the writings of Russian-born atheist Ayn Rand. "I`ve read all of her books," says Heard. "Ever since then, I have been obsessed with her ideals. All I`ve ever needed is myself." She dropped out of St. Michael`s Catholic Academy at the age of 17 she went to New York to start a career in modeling — but she did not enjoy it. "There`s no real talent involved in modeling. Acting has substance." She next located to Los Angeles to get into acting.

In late 2008 she filmed The River Why and The Joneses; two independent features due out later this year. At the beginning of 2009 The Informers made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The reviews were mostly negative. It was also announced in early February that Heard would take part in three new projects. Zombieland, aiming for an October 9, 2009 release where Heard will play the small role of the object of Jesse Eisenberg’s affection who turns into a zombie. She will then appear in John Carpenter`s The Ward. "I am especially pleased to be working with Amber because I know she will create a powerful central performance," says Carpenter. In March Heard begins filming The Rum Diary, opposite Johnny Depp, in Puerto Rico. Heard`s is reported to have won the role out over Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley. In 2010, she will star in and produce And Soon the Darkness.

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