Amy Adams, born Amy Lou Adams on August 20, 1974, in Vicenza, Veneto, Italy, is an acclaimed American actress. Raised in a Mormon family in Castle Rock, Colorado, Adams has English, Danish, Swiss-German, and Norwegian ancestry. Her early aspirations included becoming a ballerina, and she sang in the school choir and worked as an apprentice dancer at a local dance company. Before her acting career took off, Adams supported herself by working as a greeter at The Gap and as a hostess at Hooters.

Adams' acting career began with regional dinner theatre work, which led to her film debut in "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999). Encouraged by Kirstie Alley, she moved to Los Angeles and landed a role in the television version of "Cruel Intentions" (1999). Despite initial setbacks, Adams gained significant attention for her role in "Junebug" (2005), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her breakthrough came with the role of Giselle in "Enchanted" (2007), showcasing her singing and dancing talents and earning a Golden Globe nomination. Adams has since starred in major films such as "Arrival" (2016) and continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood.