Kirsten Dunst Still Stuns With Beauty at 43 — Over 20 Years After ‘Spider-Man’ Made Her a Hollywood Icon
Kirsten Dunst has been in the spotlight for decades, but she continues to impress audiences well into her 40s. The actress, now 43, first captured attention as a child, appearing in commercials and modeling for big agencies like Ford Models and Elite.
She even made a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1988, playing the granddaughter of former President George H. W. Bush. Her first small role in a feature film came that same year with Woody Allen’s short Oedipus Wrecks, part of the anthology New York Stories. She continued acting in films like The Bonfire of the Vanities and made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1993.
Dunst’s real breakthrough arrived in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire. She played Claudia, a child vampire who becomes part of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt’s on-screen family. The role brought both acclaim and some awkward moments for the young actress.
She recalled about sharing her first onscreen kiss with Pitt, who was much older, “I thought it was gross, that Brad had cooties. I mean, I was 10.” Critics took notice, and Dunst earned awards like the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, the Saturn Award for Best Young Actress, and a Golden Globe nomination.
Kirsten Dunst attends the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards
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After that, Dunst starred in Little Women, Jumanji, and other hit films throughout the late 1990s. She became a familiar face in Hollywood, known for her talent and charm. Her performances in films like Bring It On, The Virgin Suicides, and Crazy/Beautiful showed her versatility, moving between comedy, drama, and teen roles with ease. Roger Ebert praised her work in Crazy/Beautiful, saying her performance made the characters feel real and relatable.
Kirsten Dunst stuns for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. 📷 pic.twitter.com/iz5zlDvsS0
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Dunst’s fame skyrocketed in 2002 when she took on the role of Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man, opposite Tobey Maguire. The film was a massive hit, earning over $800 million worldwide. Critics praised her chemistry with Maguire, and she returned for the sequels, solidifying her status as a major Hollywood star. While Spider-Man 3 received mixed reviews, it became the highest-grossing film in the series at the time, proving Dunst’s lasting appeal.
Following her superhero success, she continued working with notable directors and actors. She appeared in Marie Antoinette, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Hidden Figures, among others. Her collaboration with Sofia Coppola earned particular recognition, especially in The Beguiled, which was praised for its strong performances. Dunst also explored television, earning critical acclaim for her role in Fargo and later in the dark comedy On Becoming a God in Central Florida.
In recent years, Dunst has taken on more mature and challenging roles. She appeared in Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, earning nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She recently starred in the dystopian thriller Civil War (2024), which was both a critical and commercial success. Her performance as Lee Smith, a war photojournalist, was singled out for praise, showing that Dunst can still dominate the screen decades into her career.
Outside of acting, Dunst has also dabbled in music. She performed songs in films like Get Over It and Spider-Man 3 and appeared in music videos for artists including Savage Garden and the Beastie Boys. She even participated in artistic projects like Akihabara Majokko Princess, a short directed by Takashi Murakami.
On the personal side, Dunst has been open about her struggles with depression, seeking treatment in 2008. She has had high-profile relationships, including with Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Garrett Hedlund, before finding lasting happiness with her Fargo co-star Jesse Plemons. The couple married in 2022 and has two sons. Dunst is a practicing Christian and has had both of her children baptized.
Kirsten Dunst’s career shows remarkable staying power. From a child actress to a Hollywood icon, she has managed to evolve with every stage of her life. She continues to take on challenging roles and prove that she is still one of the most talented and compelling performers of her generation.
It’s amazing how Dunst has maintained her star power while growing as an actress. She’s taken risks, explored new genres, and never relied solely on her early fame. What do you think about her career journey? Share your thoughts in the comments.
