Kirsten Dunst Is Still Turning Heads at 43 — More Than 20 Years After ‘Spider-Man’ Made Her a Star

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Kirsten Dunst began her career at a very young age, starting as a model when she was only three years old. She appeared in TV commercials and worked with well-known modeling agencies such as Ford Models and Elite Model Management.

I remember first noticing her back in 1988 when she was on Saturday Night Live – she was hilarious as George H.W. Bush’s granddaughter! Not long after that, she popped up in one of Woody Allen’s short films, ‘Oedipus Wrecks,’ which was part of the ‘New York Stories’ collection. She really started gaining momentum after that, with roles in films like ‘The Bonfire of the Vanities,’ and even a guest spot on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation.’

Kirsten Dunst gained widespread recognition in 1994 with her role as the child vampire Claudia in Interview with the Vampire, starring alongside Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Even at just ten years old, her performance received critical acclaim. She famously recalled her first on-screen kiss with Brad Pitt, playfully saying she thought he had ‘cooties’ because she was so young. Dunst’s work in the film earned her a Golden Globe nomination, an MTV Movie Award, and a Saturn Award.

Kirsten Dunst continued her career with popular films like Little Women and Jumanji, where she starred with Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt. By 2002, she was widely recognized thanks to her role as Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man, alongside Tobey Maguire. The movie was a huge financial success, earning over $822 million globally. She continued playing Mary Jane in the Spider-Man sequels, solidifying her position as a leading actress in Hollywood.

Kirsten Dunst attends the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards

(Araya Doheny/Getty)

— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) February 15, 2026

Kirsten Dunst has successfully moved between big-budget and smaller, more artistic films throughout her career. She’s earned high praise for performances in movies like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, even winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for Melancholia. Her diverse filmography includes dramatic roles in The Virgin Suicides, comedies like Bring It On, and more recent thrillers such as Civil War.

Kirsten Dunst stuns for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. 📷

— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) February 15, 2026

Kirsten Dunst’s personal life has also attracted attention. She’s been candid about her struggles with depression, having publicly shared that she received treatment in 2008. She’s been in several well-known relationships, including with actors Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Garrett Hedlund. Since 2016, she’s been with Jesse Plemons, her co-star in Fargo. The couple got engaged in 2017 and married in Jamaica in 2022. They now have two sons, born in 2018 and 2021, and live in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles.

I’ve always admired Kirsten Dunst, and it’s fantastic to see her still so active in the industry. She really isn’t afraid to take risks with the roles she chooses – one minute she’s in a small, intimate indie film, and the next she’s starring in a huge blockbuster. It’s not just acting, either! I knew she sang in Spider-Man 3, but I recently learned she’s also appeared in music videos for artists like Savage Garden and R.E.M. – pretty cool! Despite all her success, she seems incredibly down-to-earth and really values her privacy, which I respect. She’s managed to balance a thriving career with a personal life, and it’s inspiring to watch.

Kirsten Dunst, now 43, continues to thrive in Hollywood. Over twenty years after gaining fame in Spider-Man, she successfully balances a fulfilling career with creative endeavors and a happy home life, proving she remains a prominent figure in the industry.

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2026-02-16 11:45