Model-turned-actress Lori Heuring has earned as much attention for her looks as her acting. Panama-born, Texas-bred Heuring first moved to Hollywood in her late teens, after beginning her on-camera career as a model, and scored bit parts in John G. Avildsen's rodeo story 8 Seconds (1994), as well as on the TV series Beverly Hills 90210 and Ellen. Though she moved back to hometown Austin, TX, for several years to earn a college degree, Heuring returned to Hollywood after graduation. Picking up where she left off, Heuring briefly appeared in Richard Linklater's youth Western The Newton Boys (1998), and guest-starred on several TV series, including 7th Heaven and Early Edition. After a small part in the independent film Restaurant (1998), Heuring moved to starring roles with her performance as the beautiful, scheming former mental patient in the thriller The In Crowd (2000). Though The In Crowd failed to make it with the box office crowd, Heuring also gained notice as one of lad magazine Maxim's "Hot 100" girls.