Overview

María de la Paz Elizabeth Sofía Adriana de la Huerta y Bruce (born September 3, 1984), professionally known as Paz de la Huerta, is an American actress and model. She has appeared in both mainstream studio films and independent art-house projects and is noted for a distinctive, often provocative screen presence and a fashion-forward public profile.

Early life and modeling

De la Huerta began modeling in her teens and worked in print and runway contexts before moving more fully into acting. Early modeling and publicity helped introduce her to casting opportunities in film, and she established a reputation for bold personal style and a willingness to take unconventional roles.

Career and notable roles

Her screen work spans supporting parts in larger studio pictures and leading or central performances in independent films. She made early appearances in films such as The Cider House Rules (1999) and had roles in A Walk to Remember (2002) and Choke (2008). She collaborated with distinctive filmmakers, most notably appearing in Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void (2009), an experimental drama that drew attention for its visual style. On television she is widely recognized for portraying Lucy Danziger in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, produced by HBO, where her character intersected with the show's central political and social storylines.

Selected filmography

Public attention and allegations

De la Huerta attracted renewed public attention during the period of the Me Too movement when she publicly accused film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, describing the incident in media statements as rape. Her statements were part of a larger wave of allegations that prompted increased scrutiny of professional conduct in the film industry and led to legal actions and public debate about accountability and support for survivors.

Reputation and later work

Paz de la Huerta's career is characterized by a mixture of commercial and independent projects and by a public persona that has sometimes courted controversy. Critics and viewers have praised her for intense, committed performances in challenging material, while tabloids and interviews have highlighted her outspoken remarks and unconventional style. In the years after her most widely seen roles she has continued to work in film and fashion, and remains a figure discussed both for her on-screen work and for her role in conversations about industry conduct.

Context and legacy

While not a mainstream household name in the manner of some film stars, de la Huerta is frequently cited in accounts of late-1990s and 2000s independent cinema and in discussions of actors who move between commercial and art-house projects. Her public accusations during the Me Too era also link her to a significant cultural shift in how allegations of sexual misconduct in entertainment are reported and addressed.