Thora Birch Trivias

Has a Blue Belt in Karate

Her parents thought that she would be a boy, and planned on naming the child Thor, after the Norse God of Thunder and Lightning. When she was born, however, her parents feminized the name and called her Thora.

Does her own stunts.

Lives on a ranch in East LA

Was fired from Election (1999) due to differences with director Alexander Payne.

Brother is Bolt Birch

Gained 20 lbs. for her role in _Ghost World (2000)_ .

Was actually only 16 years old at the time she was filmed nude for a scene in American Beauty (1999). She told TV talk show host Craig Kilborn when she appeared on his show in 2002 that her parents didn't have a problem with her doing a nude scene, despite her being under age, and they encouraged her to go ahead and do it. They agreed that her character's nude scene was so important to the development of her character that they gave their approval.

Has co-starred with Chris Cooper in two movies, Silver City (2004) and American Beauty (1999), but has never appeared onscreen together with him.

She is of German, Scandinavian, and Italian descent