It was indeed. Thora Birch is a one-time child star lucky, and talented, enough to find grown-up success.

Appearing in her first film at a mere six years of age, Birch had no trouble finding work from the start. She's appeared on either television or film every year but two since 1988.

Her first role, a turn in the (admittedly somewhat forgettable) sci-fi comedy "Purple People Eater," opposite fellow child actor Neil Patrick Harris, led to a leading role the following year in the short-lived sitcom "Day by Day," as well as an appearance on Harris's day job, "Doogie Howser, M.D."

In 1992, she got strong reviews for her turn as Sally Ryan, the daughter of CIA analyst and reluctant action hero Jack Ryan, in "Patriot Games" - the second film adapted from the popular books by Tom Clancy. She reprised her role two years later in the third, "Clear and Present Danger."  

Her career was sliding towards the telefilms and guest spots that often precede the end, but she had a revival with her shocking role in the modern-classic art-film crossover "American Beauty" (1999).

Two years later, she was one of the two lead roles in another artsy hit, "Ghost World," alongside pre-stardom Scarlett Johansson.

Having now finished with the Lifetime telefilm "Pregnancy Pact," she has two new films on the go - an IRA drama called "Crossmaglen" and the much-buzzed-about historical picture "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde."

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