Haylie Katherine Duff (born February 19, 1985) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, television host, writer, and fashion designer. She is also the older sister of American singer and actress
Hilary Duff. Haylie Duff was born in Houston, Texas. Duff's mother,
Susan Duff is a film producer who was a co-executive producer of
A Cinderella Story (2004), a producer of
The Perfect Man (2005) and
Material Girls (2006), and the manager of Hilary; she was previously a homemaker. Her father, Robert Erhard "Bob" Duff, a partner and owner in a chain of convenience stores with his father, John B. Duff, resides at the family home in Houston to maintain the family's business. She began her acting career as an offshoot of her early dance training. Growing up in Texas, Duff began ballet at an early age. By the age of eight, Duff landed a role in the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company's production of The Nutcracker Suite.
Duff's early career started by making guest appearances on made-for-television films such as
True Women (1997) and on TV series such as
The Amanda Show (1999). In addition to guest-starring roles on
Chicago Hope (1994),
Boston Public (2000), and
Third Watch (1999), Duff became a familiar face starting in late 2002 as Amy Sanders on
Lizzie McGuire (2001). In 2004, Duff made a guest appearances on
That's So Raven (2003) as Katina Jones. After making guest appearances on television, Duff received her first role in a feature film when she was cast as Summer Wheatley in
Napoleon Dynamite (2004). The film earned her first Teen Choice Award win. She continued making guest appearances, which include
Joan of Arcadia (2003) and
American Dreams (2002). She also lent her voice talent to the Christmas animation film
In Search of Santa (2003) which again, featured Sister
Hilary Duff. In 2005, Duff joined the cast of the television series
7th Heaven (1996), playing Sandy Jameson, best friend to Simon's girlfriend Rose.
In June 2006, Duff joined the Broadway cast of Hairspray, portraying mean girl Amber Von Tussle, and left the role in early October 2006.
Duff has also starred in
Material Girls (2006) with her sister
Hilary Duff, where she is credited as co-producer, with her mother and sister credited as producers. Following
Material Girls (2006), Duff appeared in various made-for-television or straight-to-DVD films including
Nightmare (2007),
My Sexiest Year (2007),
Legacy (2008),
Backwoods (2008),
Love Takes Wing (2009),
Love Finds a Home (2009) and
My Nanny's Secret (2009).
Between 2008 and 2015, Duff appeared in various films and TV roles, including;
Fear Island (2009),
Tug (2010) and
Slightly Single in L.A. (2013). She lent her voice to the animated film
Foodfight! (2012), but due to distribution issues, the film was delayed for years until it finally saw a release in 2012. Duff hosted the reality show
Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods (2008), which searched for an actress to take over the lead role in
Legally Blonde: The Musical (2007) where she had been in the chorus. She was also listed as an executive producer of the series.