She became a legend for an entire generation.
But she was also on the brink of never stepping onto a movie set.
A horrific experience at just 12 changed everything, and its impact still shapes this Hollywood star today.
Near-death experience
Sometimes, it’s frightening how tiny details and fate can completely change the course of a person’s life. The actress we’re talking about today is a household name – but it came dangerously close to being a name we’d never hear, likely only mentioned in a tragic local obituary.
When she was just 12, she had a terrifying near-death experience, almost drowning in the ocean. “When they pulled me out of the water, I didn’t have a pulse,” she told the Hartford Courant.
The trauma left a lasting mark, shaping her life and career for years to come.
Add to that relentless bullying, which escalated into brutal physical attacks, and it’s clear: this is someone whose strength of mind and spirit is nothing short of extraordinary.
This actress was born in Winona County, Minnesota, on October 29, 1971. She is the daughter of Cynthia Palmer (née Istas) and Michael D. Horowitz. Her mother works as an author, video producer, and editor, while her father was an author, editor, publisher, and rare books dealer.
