may-17.jpgBy the age of 13 actress Nikki Reed, born on this day in 1988, had begun chronicling her life for the screen. With the help of then-production designer Catherine Hardwicke, Reed set out to channel that cliched teenage angst and anger into the screenplay for what would become the movie thirteen. Besides functioning as a form of therapy for the troubled young woman, the legend of the movie’s inception made her a star. Since winning a Spirit Award for her debut performance in the self-penned film, Reed has appeared in American Gun, Mini’s First Time and the upcoming Kevin Smith television pilot, “Reaper.”

Connections: Daughter of art director Seth Reed, Nikki became friendly with her writing partner and thirteen director, Catherine Hardwicke when the older pair dated. After the women found success with their dark teen drama, the trio reunited on Hardwicke’s 2005 feature, Lords of Dogtown.

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