Evan Rachel Wood (born September 7, 1987) is an American film, television, theater actress and singer. She began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in several television roles, including American Gothic and Once and Again. Wood made her debut as a leading film actress in 2002's Little Secrets, and became well known after her transition to a more adult-orientated Golden Globe-nominated role in the highly controversial Thirteen (2003), which garnered her critical praise. Wood continued acting in mostly independent films, including Pretty Persuasion (2005), Down in the Valley (2006), and Across the Universe (2007), and has several more starring roles in films yet to be released. Wood's acting has drawn critical praise and has been described by The Guardian newspaper as being "wise beyond her years" and as "one of the best actr