Elisabeth Shue was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Anne Brewster (Wells), who worked for the Chemical Banking Corporation, and James William Shue, a lawyer and real estate developer. She is of German and English ancestry, including descent from Mayflower passengers. Shue's parents divorced while she was in the fourth grade. Owing to the occupational demands of her parents, Shue and her siblings found plenty of time to get into trouble in their suburban neighborhood, but Elisabeth soon enrolled in Wellesley College, an all-female institution which kept her out of trouble.

During her studies, she found a way to make a little extra money by acting in television commercials. Elisabeth became a common sight in ads for Burger King, DeBeers diamonds, and Hellman's mayonnaise. In 1984, she landed a role in the The Karate Kid (1984) as the on-screen girlfriend of Ralph Macchio and a role as the teenage daughter of a military family in the short-lived series Call to Glory (1984). At this time, Shue got herself an acting coach and transferred to Harvard, where she began studying political science.

She continued her acting work with Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Cocktail (1988), Soapdish (1991) and The Marrying Man (1991). Unfortunately, time was catching up with the impressive girl-next-door. Her brother Andrew Shue had almost eclipsed her own fame by landing a starring role in the hit TV series Melrose Place (1992). It was at this time that Elisabeth took a chance on a low-budget, high-risk project entitled Leaving Las Vegas (1995), directed by Mike Figgis. Her gutsy portrayal of a prostitute mixed up with a suicidal alcoholic paid off as she was recognized with a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards that year. This was the turning point of her career. What followed was a barrage of film roles, including The Saint (1997), Woody Allen's Deconstructing Harry (1997), Palmetto (1998) and Hollow Man (2000).

Spouse (1)Davis Guggenheim (August 1994 - present) (3 children)
Trivia (21)
Son, Miles William, with Davis Guggenheim was born. [November 1997]

Older sister of Andrew Shue.

Got started in commercials as "The Burger King Girl.".

Was an accomplished high school gymnast, with aspirations to the state finals, at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her brother, Andrew Shue, and Zach Braff also attended Columbia High School.

Majored in Government at Wellesley College; transferred to Harvard University in 1985; planned to become an attorney.

Graduated from Harvard University 8 June 2000 with a degree in Government. Shue was one semester short of earning her degree when she dropped out to pursue her career 15 years ago. She returned to Harvard in the spring of 2000.

Daughter, Stella Street, was born weighing 6 lbs. 7 oz. [March 2001]

Named her son after her late older brother, William Shue, who died on August 24, 1988 at the age of 26 from a freak swimming accident while on family vacation. A rope broke on a tire swing and he was thrown into a tree branch, impaling him. He was enrolled at Rutgers University's Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine at the time of his death. Her brother Andrew Shue witnessed the accident.

Auditioned for the Sherilyn Fenn role in Of Mice and Men (1992).

Daughter-in-law of Charles Guggenheim and Marion Guggenheim.

Sister-in-law of Jonathan Guggenheim and Grace Guggenheim.

Was cast as the female lead in the Jim Carrey movie The Number 23 (2007) but had to drop out just weeks before shooting because of her pregnancy. Shue was replaced by Virginia Madsen.

Elisabeth and Davis became the parents of their third child, a daughter named Agnes Charles Guggenheim, on June 18, 2006.

She was amongst the final candidates for the female lead in Say Anything... (1989). According to director Cameron Crowe, "Elisabeth Shue did an amazing version of the graduation speech". Jennifer Connelly was runner-up to Ione Skye, who got the role in the end.

The 2007 film Gracie (2007) is based upon events that occurred in her and her brother Andrew Shue's lives.

Elisabeth replaced Claudia Wells as Jennifer Parker, Michael J. Fox' girlfriend, in the two sequels to Back to the Future (1985). Claudia's mother was dying from cancer, requiring the re-casting.

Sister-in-law of Amy Robach.

Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Zach Braff lived around the corner from the Shues.

She and her brother, Andrew Shue, were inducted into Columbia High School's Hall of Fame in 1994.

She has German and English ancestry.

Co-starring with Peter Sarsgaard in the Off-Broadway Revival of "Burn This" by Lanford Wilson. [December 2002]

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