Carrie-Anne Moss

Born: 21 August 1967
Where: Vancouver, Canada

The former model - named after the 1960s hit song Carrie Anne by The Hollies - is best known for her portrayal of Trinity in the Matrix series.

As an aspiring model, she headed to Europe to model...and was cast in the TV series Dark Justice, during the 1991-92 season when it was filmed in Barcelona.

When the series moved to Los Angeles, Moss followed - as did more professional acting work.

In 1994, she was cast in Aaron Spelling's Models Inc, the series giving her the exposure she was previously lacking.

While her film work had previously been in low-profile or direct-to-video releases, Moss's star-making role was in 1999's The Matrix.

After extensive martial arts training, she performed her own fight sequences and demonstrated a strong screen presence in leathers and sunglasses.

"After The Matrix, I cannot wear sunglasses," she now says. "As soon as I put them on, people recognise me."

Moss has since appeared in Memento, Red Planet and Chocolat, and stars in the two Matrix sequels - Reloaded and Revolutions. Upcoming projects include the thriller Suspect Zero opposite Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley.