Ashley Hinshaw Grace Bio
Ashley Hinshaw Grace (née Hinshaw; born December 11, 1988) is an American actress and model. She is known for her leading role in the 2012 film About Cherry and for her role in the 2016 Crackle television series StartUp. Born in La Porte, Indiana, Hinshaw began her career in modeling before transitioning to acting. She has appeared in both independent films and mainstream television productions throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Ashley Hinshaw was born in La Porte, Indiana to Chris and Craig Hinshaw. She spent her formative years in the Midwest where she developed an early interest in performance. From the age of nine, she auditioned and participated in several children’s plays and youth theatre productions. This early exposure to performance helped shape her future career path in the entertainment industry.
At the age of 13, Hinshaw began modeling in local hometown pageants, including the Miss Maple City Pageant and Talent Competition. She won in beauty and photogenic categories for 13- to 16-year-olds and talent for 8- to 14-year-olds. In 2003, Hinshaw achieved third place in the Queen’s Court competition and second in photogenic competition in the Miss Indiana American Junior Teen Pageant. She then participated in the National Miss American Coed Pageant for the Miss American Junior Teen category at age 14.
When Hinshaw was 16, she moved to New York to begin her professional modeling career. This relocation marked a significant step in her journey toward entertainment industry work. Her early modeling experience provided a foundation for her later transition into acting.
Path to Actress
Hinshaw first started modeling in pageants in 2002, participating in the Miss Indiana Junior Teen competition. As a model, she appeared in an advertising campaign for Abercrombie & Fitch. Her experience as a model led to a judging role on the MTV reality TV series Made in 2008. This television appearance provided her first exposure to the entertainment industry beyond modeling.
In 2009, Hinshaw decided to pursue an acting career and landed a guest stint on The CW Teen Drama series Gossip Girl, appearing as herself. She auditioned for a role in the proposed spin-off series to Gossip Girl, Valley Girls, though The CW did not pick up the series. Hinshaw subsequently appeared in guest roles on Fringe and The Glades, building her television resume.
These early television roles helped establish Hinshaw as an actress and opened doors for more substantial opportunities in both film and television. Her background in modeling and pageants had provided her with on-camera experience that translated well to acting roles.
Ashley Hinshaw Grace Career
Early Career (2009-2011)
Hinshaw’s early acting career included guest appearances on popular television series. After her appearance on Gossip Girl, she secured roles on Fringe and The Glades. These guest-starring roles allowed her to gain experience in episodic television and build connections within the industry.
In June 2010, Hinshaw was confirmed to star in the high school comedy film LOL, an American remake of the 2008 French film. She played the role of Emily. Production began in August 2010 in Paris and Grosse Pointe, and the film was released on a limited basis in the United States in May 2012. In November 2010, Hinshaw was announced as a star in the independent thriller film Rites of Passage alongside Christian Slater. The film was released straight to DVD on October 16, 2012.
Breakthrough (2011-2016)
In May 2011, Hinshaw was cast as the lead in the independent drama film About Cherry alongside Heather Graham, James Franco, and Dev Patel. Hinshaw portrayed Angelina, a troubled young woman who comes to San Francisco and joins the porn industry. Filming began in July 2011, and the film premiered at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival. This leading role marked a significant milestone in her career as it was her first major film part.
In 2011, Hinshaw joined the cast of the superhero film Chronicle, which was released in 2012. She played Casey Letter, a blogger who regularly carries her camera with her. The film was a commercial success and helped raise her profile in the industry. The year 2012 proved to be a busy one for Hinshaw with the releases of About Cherry, LOL, and Chronicle all occurring within months of each other.
Hinshaw appeared in six of the ten episodes of the first season of the 2016 Crackle web series StartUp. This role represented her ongoing work in television and demonstrated her ability to be part of ensemble casts. Since 2017, Hinshaw has been credited using her married name Ashley Grace, marking this evolution in both her personal and professional life.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ashley Hinshaw Grace’s most notable works include her leading role in About Cherry, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, and her appearances in the commercially successful film Chronicle. Her role in the Crackle series StartUp further established her presence in the streaming television landscape. In 2018, she expanded her creative contributions by writing and directing her first short film, titled Hunter Gatherer, a socially conscious dramatic piece.
Ashley Hinshaw Grace Family
Ashley Hinshaw Grace was born to Chris and Craig Hinshaw in La Porte, Indiana. She has maintained family connections throughout her career while building her own family. Her Midwestern upbringing provided a foundation that she carried with her as she pursued opportunities in the entertainment industry on both coasts.
Personal Life
Hinshaw started dating actor Topher Grace in January 2014, and they became engaged in January 2015. On May 29, 2016, Grace and Hinshaw married near Santa Barbara, California. They have three children, including a daughter born in November 2017 and one child born in 2020. Hinshaw has balanced her family life with her acting career and has continued to work in the industry while raising her children.