6. Summer Glau

A professional dancer since age 12, Glau is a classically trained ballerina and knows several other dances. She parlayed her skills into several television commercial appearances before being cast as a ballerina (guess those lessons came in handy) in an episode of Angel.  It was there that she caught the eye of writer/director and show co-creator Joss Whdeon. Whedon would later cast her in his short-lived sci-fi series Firefly. Glau has followed up her role on Firefly with a number of sci-fi shows, furthering her fan base. Although relatively new to the spotlight, Glau’s already won two Saturn Awards (2005 for Serenity and 2008 for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and in 2008 she was nominated for two Teen Choice Awards. Seems like only a matter of time before we see Glau on the big screen more often.

Major Television Roles: Firefly, River Tam (2002-2003); The Unit, Crystal Burns (2006-2007); The 4400, Tess Doerner (2005-2007); Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Cameron Phillips (2008-present)

Select Filmography: Glau’s movie experience is limited to Serenity, the feature film sequel for Firefly.

Upcoming Project: None currently scheduled.

5. Hayden Panettiere

Panettiere started young. I mean real young. She began modeling at the age of four months and started appearing in commercials at age eleven months. At age 6, she landed a role on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, and two years later landed a role on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Several television guess spots, feature films, and made-for-TV movies would follow before Panettiere landed her part on Heroes as a high school cheerleader with regenerative healing powers. And if her live acting résumé was not enough, she does voice work, including providing the voice for Dot in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life and assorted voices in several video games. Oh, and in 1999 Panettiere was nominated for a Grammy. And did I mention she’s not even twenty yet? I think she has a nice career ahead of her.

Major Television Roles: One Life to Live, Sarah Victoria ‘Flash’ Roberts (1994-1997); Guiding Light, Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Spaulding (1996-2000); Ally McBeal, Maddie Harrington (2002); Heroes, Claire Bennet (2006-present)

Select Filmography: In movies, Panettiere was first recognized for her role as Sheryl Yoast, Will Patton’s daughter, in the Disney football film Remember the Titans. She also starred as a (surprise, surprise) cheerleader in the direct to video Bring It On: All or Nothing and appeared in the Kate Hudson romancer Raising Helen.

Upcoming Project: I Love You Beth Cooper, a comedy about a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school.

Continue reading for the top 4……

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