Elisabeth Shue

**Elisabeth Judson Shue** (born October 6, 1963) is an American actress. She is best known for her work in the movies _The Karate Kid_, _Adventures in Babysitting_, _Cocktail_, _Back to the Future Parts II_ and _III_ and _Leaving Las Vegas_.

## Early life

Shue was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Shue's mother was a descendant of Pilgrim religious leader William Brewster. Her father's family moved from Germany to Pennsylvania in the early 19th century. Shue's younger brother, Andrew, is also an actor.

Shue grew up in Bergen and Essex counties in New Jersey. Her parents divorced when she was young. Shue graduated from Columbia High School, in Maplewood, New Jersey. She later studied at Wellesley College and Harvard University. Shue left Harvard early because of her acting career. She returned to Harvard to finish her degree in Government in 2000.

### 1980s and early 1990s

While in high school, Shue acted in television commercials. She did ads for Burger King, DeBeers diamonds, and Hellman's mayonnaise.

Her first movie role was in 1984. She acted in _The Karate Kid_. She played the girlfriend of Ralph Macchio. In 1986, she acted with Terrance Stamp in the British horror movie _Link_. _Adventures in Babysitting_ was her first acting job where she was the main character.

In 1995, Shue played a prostitute in _Leaving Las Vegas_, alongside Nicolas Cage. Her role in the film got her nominated for Academy Award for Best Actress, but Susan Sarandon won instead.

## Personal life

Shue is married to movie director Davis Guggenheim. Their son, Miles William, was born on November 11, 1997. She gave birth to her first daughter, Stella Street, on March 19, 2001. Her third child, Agnes Charles, was born on June 18, 2006. Her son's middle name is in honor of her second brother, William. This brother died in 1988 at the age of 26 in a swimming accident.

## Filmography

|Year|Title|Role|class="unsortable"|Notes|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1984|_The Karate Kid_|Ali Mills|||
|1986|_Link_|Jane Chase|Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress||
|1987|_Double Switch_|Kathy Shelton|TV movie (ABC)||
|1987|_Adventures in Babysitting_|Chris Parker|||
|1988|_Cocktail_|Jordan Mooney|||
|1989|_Back to the Future Part II_|Jennifer Parker/McFly|||
|1990|_Back to the Future Part III_|Jennifer Parker|||
|1991|_Soapdish_|Lori Craven|||
|1991|__|Adele Horner|||
|1993|_Twenty Bucks_|Emily Adams|||
|1993|_Heart and Souls_|Anne|||
|1994|_Radio Inside_|Natalie|||
|1994|_Blind Justice_|Caroline|TV movie||
|1995|_Leaving Las Vegas_|Sera|||
|1995|_Underneath_|Susan Crenshaw|||
|1996|__|Annie Kay|||
|1997|__|Dr. Emma Russell|||
|1997|_Deconstructing Harry_|Fay|||
|1998|_Cousin Bette_|Jenny Cadine|||
|1998|_Palmetto_|Mrs. Donnelly/Rhea Malroux|||
|1999|_Molly_|Molly McKay|||
|2000|_Hollow Man_|Linda McKay|||
|2001|_Amy & Isabelle_|Isabelle Goodrow|||
|2002|_Tuck Everlasting_|Narrator|voice only||
|2004|_Mysterious Skin_|Mrs. McCormick|||
|2005|_Hide and Seek_|Elizabeth|||
|2005|_Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story_|Lilly Crane|||
|2007|_First Born_|Laura|||
|2007|_Gracie_|Lindsay Bowen|||
|2008|_Hamlet 2_|Herself|||
|2009|_Don McKay_|Sonny|||
|2010|_Piranha 3-D_|Sheriff Julie Forester|||
|2010|_Waking Madison_|Dr. Elizabeth Barnes|||
|2012|_House at the End of the Street_|Sarah|||
|2012|_Russian of Gold_|Green Duck|||
|2012|_CSI: Crime Scene Investigation_|Julie Finlay|Series regular||

## Other websites

- Elisabeth Shue at FEARnet

## Infobox (person)

- **image**: Elisabeth Shue at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival 2.jpg
- **caption**: Shue at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
- **birth name**: Elisabeth Judson Shue
- **birth place**: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
- **spouse**: Davis Guggenheim (m. 1994)
- **children**: 3
- **occupation**: Actress, producer
- **years active**: 1984–present