Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Hilary Duff
How Hilary Duff built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Hilary Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, businesswoman, and author recognized for her contributions to entertainment. She has received a World Music Award, seven Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, and two Young Artist Awards, highlighting her success in both acting and music industries. Duff is a notable figure in pop culture, appealing to a young audience through her work in film, television, and music. Her multifaceted career reflects versatility and entrepreneurial spirit beyond her initial roles as an actress.
1993: Move to California
In 1993, Hilary Duff, her sister Haylie, and their mother moved to California to pursue acting careers, while their father remained in Houston.
1997: Uncredited Role in True Women
In 1997, Hilary Duff played an uncredited role in the Hallmark Entertainment western miniseries 'True Women'.
1998: First Major Role in Casper Meets Wendy
In 1998, Hilary Duff landed her first major role as Wendy in 'Casper Meets Wendy', based on the Harvey Comics characters, and appeared as an uncredited extra in 'Playing by Heart'.
1999: Young Artist Award for The Soul Collector
In 1999, Hilary Duff appeared in 'The Soul Collector', and she received a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Pilot (Supporting Young Actress).
January 12, 2001: Premiere of Lizzie McGuire
On January 12, 2001, the Disney Channel series 'Lizzie McGuire', starring Hilary Duff, premiered and achieved successful ratings.
2001: Lizzie McGuire Debut
In 2001, Hilary Duff starred as Lizzie McGuire in the Disney Channel comedy series 'Lizzie McGuire'.
October 2002: Release of Santa Claus Lane
In October 2002, Hilary Duff's debut album, the Christmas-themed 'Santa Claus Lane', was released, marking her entry into the music industry.
2002: Appearance in Cadet Kelly
In 2002, Hilary Duff appeared in 'Cadet Kelly'.
2002: Entry Into Music Industry and Santa Claus Lane Release
In 2002, Hilary Duff entered the music industry with the release of her debut Christmas-themed album, 'Santa Claus Lane', through Walt Disney Records.
March 2003: Release of Agent Cody Banks
In March 2003, Hilary Duff featured in the children's action comedy film 'Agent Cody Banks' with Frankie Muniz.
August 2003: Metamorphosis Album Release
In August 2003, Hilary Duff released her second studio album, 'Metamorphosis', which reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
December 2003: Co-starring in Cheaper by the Dozen
In December 2003, Hilary Duff co-starred in the family comedy 'Cheaper by the Dozen'.
2003: Metamorphosis Album Success
In 2003, Hilary Duff achieved greater success with her second album, 'Metamorphosis', which topped the Billboard 200 chart and earned a 4x Platinum certification.
2003: The Lizzie McGuire Movie and Agent Cody Banks
In 2003, Hilary Duff starred in 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie' based on the Disney Channel series, and also appeared in 'Agent Cody Banks'.
February 14, 2004: Final Episode of Lizzie McGuire
On February 14, 2004, the final episode of 'Lizzie McGuire' aired, marking the end of Hilary Duff's contract with the show.
March 2004: Launch of Clothing Line
In March 2004, Hilary Duff launched her first clothing line, "Stuff by Hilary Duff", which was distributed by various retailers.
2004: Release of Hilary Duff Album
In 2004, Hilary Duff released her self-titled third studio album, which achieved significant commercial success.
2004: A Cinderella Story Release and World Music Award
In 2004, Hilary Duff starred in 'A Cinderella Story', won the Best New Female Artist award at the World Music Awards, and released her self-titled third studio album.
2004: End of Lizzie McGuire Series
In 2004, Hilary Duff's role as Lizzie McGuire in the Disney Channel comedy series 'Lizzie McGuire' came to an end.
2005: Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Release
In 2005, Hilary Duff appeared in the film 'Cheaper by the Dozen 2'.
2005: Donation to Hurricane Katrina Victims
In 2005, Hilary Duff donated $250,000 and over 2.5 million meals to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the southern US.
2005: Most Wanted Compilation Album
In 2005, Hilary Duff released the compilation album 'Most Wanted', achieving platinum or gold certification.
2005: The Perfect Man and Most Wanted Album Release
In 2005, Hilary Duff starred in 'The Perfect Man' and released her first compilation album, 'Most Wanted'.
August 2006: Work with USA Harvest
In August 2006, Hilary Duff traveled to a New Orleans elementary school and worked with USA Harvest to distribute meals to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
September 2006: Release of "With Love... Hilary Duff" Perfume
In September 2006, Hilary Duff launched her first perfume, named "With Love... Hilary Duff," distributed by Elizabeth Arden. Initially available at Macy's, it expanded to Europe, Japan, and Canada, becoming a top-selling fragrance in department stores that year.
July 2007: Start of the Dignity Tour
In July 2007, Hilary Duff embarked on her fourth concert tour, the Dignity Tour, to promote her album 'Dignity'. The tour lasted until February 2008.
2007: Release of Dignity Album
In 2007, Hilary Duff's album, 'Dignity' was released, and achieved commercial success.
2007: End of Clothing Line Distribution
In 2007, the distribution of Hilary Duff's clothing line, "Stuff by Hilary Duff", came to an end with various retailers.
February 2008: End of the Dignity Tour
In February 2008, Hilary Duff's fourth concert tour, the Dignity Tour, concluded. The tour was launched in July 2007 to promote her album 'Dignity'.
October 2008: Public Service Announcement
In October 2008, Hilary Duff starred in a public service announcement for The Think Before You Speak Campaign by Ad Council and GLSEN, aimed at preventing youth from using anti-LGBT vocabulary, such as the phrase "That's So Gay."
December 2008: Announcement of new album and Discontinuation of Stuff by Hilary Duff line
In December 2008, Hilary Duff announced plans to start writing a new album, which was ultimately never developed. Additionally, in 2008, Duff lost control over her clothing line, 'Stuff by Hilary Duff', leading to its discontinuation.
2008: Appearance in War, Inc.
In 2008, Hilary Duff took on a role in the independent film 'War, Inc.'.
July 2009: Youth Ambassador to Bogotá
In July 2009, Hilary Duff was named as a youth ambassador to the children of the Colombian capital, Bogotá. She spent five days in the country, distributing backpacks filled with food to children in need.
August 2009: Launch of Femme for DKNY Jeans Clothing Line
In August 2009, Hilary Duff collaborated with DKNY Jeans to launch an apparel line called 'Femme for DKNY Jeans.' The clothing line, designed for women her age, was available in the United States for a limited time.
2009: Appearance in According to Greta
In 2009, Hilary Duff appeared in the independent film 'According to Greta'.
October 2010: Publication of 'Elixir'
In October 2010, Hilary Duff's young adult novel 'Elixir,' co-written with Elise Allen, was published and became a New York Times bestseller.
2010: Elixir Novel Release
In 2010, Hilary Duff co-authored her first novel, 'Elixir', which topped The New York Times Best Seller list.
October 2011: Release of 'Devoted'
In October 2011, 'Devoted', the sequel to Hilary Duff's book 'Elixir', was released.
2011: Appearance in Bloodworth
In 2011, Hilary Duff appeared in the independent film 'Bloodworth'.
2011: Devoted Novel Release
In 2011, Hilary Duff released the sequel to Elixir, titled 'Devoted'.
January 2012: Confirmation of Return to Music
In January 2012, Hilary Duff confirmed that she had begun working on music again.
August 2012: Signing Deal with 20th Century Fox
In August 2012, Hilary Duff signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop and produce a sitcom in which she would star, but the plan did not materialize.
2012: Johnson's Baby Cares Campaign
In 2012, Hilary Duff was involved in the Johnson's Baby Cares campaign, which included sending care kits and care cards to new mothers across the U.S. as motivation. It also raised funds for children and low-income families in partnership with Save the Children.
July 2013: Filming of Flock of Dudes Completed
By July 2013, Hilary Duff had completed filming the independent film 'Flock of Dudes,' which was eventually released in September 2016.
November 2013: Partnership with Duracell
In November 2013, Hilary Duff teamed up with Duracell in Canada for a campaign for kids in hospitals. The campaign donated 20,000 batteries to hospitals across Canada. Duff visited The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, to promote the campaign and discussed it on the radio show Breakfast Television Toronto and in magazine interviews.
2013: True Novel Release
In 2013, Hilary Duff co-authored 'True', the third and final novel in the Elixir trilogy.
January 15, 2014: Signing on to Co-Star in Younger
On January 15, 2014, Hilary Duff signed on to co-star in the comedy-drama pilot 'Younger'.
April 2014: 'Younger' Picked Up for Series
In April 2014, the pilot for 'Younger,' in which Hilary Duff co-stars, was picked up for a series with a 12-episode deal.
May 1, 2014: Confirmation of Collaboration with Savan Kotecha and Ed Sheeran
On May 1, 2014, Hilary Duff attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards and confirmed she was working with songwriter Savan Kotecha and singer Ed Sheeran.
July 23, 2014: Signing with RCA Records
On July 23, 2014, Hilary Duff signed with RCA Records.
July 29, 2014: Release of "Chasing the Sun"
On July 29, 2014, Hilary Duff released the single "Chasing the Sun" and its music video. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 79.
November 2014: Voice work for Dora the Explorer episode
In November 2014, Hilary Duff provided voice work for a special episode of Dora the Explorer as Jessica the Ice Witch.
March 31, 2015: Premiere of 'Younger'
On March 31, 2015, the television series 'Younger' premiered. Hilary Duff plays Kelsey Peters in the show.
April 6, 2015: Release of 'Sparks'
On April 6, 2015, Hilary Duff released the single 'Sparks' from her fifth studio album, which peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.
June 12, 2015: Release of 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.'
On June 12, 2015, Hilary Duff released her fifth studio album, 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.,' which debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200.
2015: Starring in Younger
In 2015, Hilary Duff began starring as Kelsey Peters in TV Land's 'Younger'.
2015: Breathe In. Breathe Out. Album Release
In 2015, Hilary Duff signed with RCA Records and released her fifth album, 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.'.
January 2016: Release of 'Little Lies' Cover
In January 2016, Hilary Duff's cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Little Lies' was released to coincide with the second season of 'Younger'.
February 2016: Cancellation of Album Tour
In February 2016, Hilary Duff announced that she would not be touring in support of her album, 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.'
June 2016: Announcement of New Album
In June 2016, Hilary Duff revealed that she was working on a new album with a darker and heavier tone.
September 2016: Release of Flock of Dudes
The independent film 'Flock of Dudes', which Hilary Duff finished filming in July 2013, was released in September 2016.
2017: Essay about Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, Hilary Duff published an essay through Marie Claire about the damages that Hurricane Harvey left on her hometown.
January 2018: Launch of "Muse x Hilary Duff" Eyewear Collection
In January 2018, Hilary Duff returned to fashion design by launching the "Muse x Hilary Duff" collection, a collaborative eyewear line with GlassesUSA.
February 2018: Announcement of Starring Role in "The Haunting of Sharon Tate"
In February 2018, Hilary Duff announced that she would star as the title character in the independent film "The Haunting of Sharon Tate".
September 2018: Confirmation of Voice Role in 'Meet Your Tooth Fairy'
In September 2018, it was confirmed that Hilary Duff would voice the lead character in the animated film 'Meet Your Tooth Fairy'.
2018: Hanalei Floods Relief Efforts
In 2018, Hilary Duff raised relief efforts for the 2018 Hanalei floods via sales of her "Muse x Hilary Duff Collection".
April 2019: Release of "The Haunting of Sharon Tate" and Best Actress Award
In April 2019, Hilary Duff's film, "The Haunting of Sharon Tate", was released, and she won the Best Actress award at the 2019 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival for her performance.
2019: Appearance in The Haunting of Sharon Tate
In 2019, Hilary Duff appeared in the independent film 'The Haunting of Sharon Tate'.
October 2020: "Veeda in Action" Donation Campaign
In October 2020, Hilary Duff launched the "Veeda in Action" donation campaign via her feminine care line "Veeda". Partnering with PERIOD, the campaign ran through the month of October to donate period products to those in need.
2021: End of Younger Series
In 2021, Hilary Duff's role as Kelsey Peters in TV Land's 'Younger' came to an end.
2022: Starring in How I Met Your Father
In 2022, Hilary Duff produced and starred as Sophie Tompkins in the Hulu sitcom 'How I Met Your Father'.
2023: How I Met Your Father
In 2023, Hilary Duff's role as Sophie Tompkins in the Hulu sitcom 'How I Met Your Father' came to an end.
March 2025: Billboard Ranking
In March 2025, Billboard ranked Hilary Duff at number 73 on its "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list.
2026: Number-One Album in Australia
In 2026, Hilary Duff achieved her first number-one album in Australia with Luck… Or Something, marking the first chart-topping release of her career in the country and her first album in over a decade.
2026: Luck... or Something Album Release
In 2026, Hilary Duff released her sixth album, 'Luck... or Something' under Atlantic Records.
Mentioned in this timeline
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned...
Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who started writing songs...
The Billboard Hot is the premier music chart in the...
CBS or CBS Broadcasting Inc is a major American commercial...
Dolly Parton is a celebrated American singer-songwriter actress philanthropist and...
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
Trending
30 minutes ago Connecticut Sun Sold, Relocating to Houston in 2027 After NBA, WNBA Approval.
2 hours ago Sue Bird becomes NBC WNBA analyst; Miller previews games with Bird.
3 hours ago Severe Tornadoes Threaten Central US: Storms Forecasted Through Monday
3 hours ago Ruud and Sinner Face Off In Italian Open Final, Sinner Eyes Golden Masters
4 hours ago Robert Gates Discussed Trade and Taiwan on Face the Nation with Brennan.
4 hours ago Tybee Island's Beach Bum Parade: Summer kickoff, water fight, and community fun.
Popular
Thomas Massie is a Republican politician and engineer representing Kentucky's...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Kash Patel is an American lawyer who currently serves as...
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Paula White-Cain is a prominent American televangelist and key figure...
Sir David Attenborough is a highly acclaimed English broadcaster natural...