Mena Suvari began her film career in 1997, landing a small role in Greg Araki's Nowhere, as well as a more noteworthy role in Kiss the Girls. The following year, Suvari appeared in the little-seen Snide and Prejudice and the highly underrated Slums of Beverly Hills. In 2000, Suvari's breakthrough performance in the movie American Beauty turned her from a supporting character to hot Hollywood property.