With blockbuster hits such as "The Fantasic Four" and its sequel "The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," Jessica Marie Alba has taken another step -- albeit a small one -- toward becoming an accomplished actress. "If I don't establish myself as someone who can act a part rather than look the part, I will soon be finished," Jessica once said during an interview.

Although Jessica Alba, for the most part, has received roles due to her striking good looks, her acting career has been built upon a solid foundation of formal instruction. Jessica began her formal acting training at the age of twelve. After high school, Jessica continued her acting training with William H. Macy and his wife, Felicity Huffman, at David Mamet's Atlantic Theater Company.

Jessica Alba's formal training led to her brief hiring for a role in the film "Camp Nowhere." Her real break in this film came after the main actress dropped out, leaving Jessica an opportunity to appear in her big screen debut in the 1994 release of "Camp Nowhere." As it turns out, Jessica Alba was chosen because her hair color matched that of the actress who dropped out. This role was actually the start of a pattern in Jessica's career -- receiving roles she 'looked the part' for instead of being chosen for her acting ability.

Following her motion picture debut, Jessica appeared in television commericals for J.C. Penny and Nintendo. What followed were a series of supporting television roles including: "The Secret World of Alex Mac" (1994), "Flipper" (1995), "Venus Rising" (1996), "Chicago Hope"(1996), "P.U.N.K.S." (1998), "Brooklyn South" (1998), "Beverly Hills 90210" (1998), "Love Boat: The Next Wave"(1998). These supporting roles lead to her receiving a small part the Drew Berrymore film "Never Been Kissed" and eventually starred opposite Devon Sawa in "Idle Hands" (1999), which caused Hollywood to really take notice of Jessica Alba's exotic good looks. Jessica Alba owes her unique look to a rare combination of genes. Jessica's Mexican-American father at a young age married her mother of French and Danish descent.

Though Jessica at times during her career has had to deal with the problems associated with casting latina actresses, she has received several opportunities to play race neutral roles. In 2000, Jessica was chosen for such a role by writer/director James Cameron out 1,200 who auditioned for the part of the main character "Max" in the Fox science fiction series "Dark Angel." Though earning a Golden Globe nomination (for best actress in a new series), a TV guide award, and legions of adoring fans for "Dark Angel," this part did not lead to a role that would challenge Jessica as an actress. However, there continued to be roles made available to Jessica due to her stunning good looks.

The 2003 release of the movie "Honey" was such a role. Jessica Alba played the lead role of a music video choreographer. This high energy urban film, which targeted the 25 and under demographic, challenged Jessica physically but not as an actress. Next, in 2005, Jessica appeared in the big screen adaptation of the comic book "Sin City." The pole dancing character Nancy Callahan portrayed by Jessica in the film did little to convince critics that she is capable of pulling off a challenging role. It is interesting to note that Jessica Alba's parts in both the movie "Honey" and "Sin City" necessitated her drinking heavily in order to perform the suggestive dance moves called for by each role.

Also in the year 2005, Jessica Alba starred in the drama "Into the blue." Set against the backdrop of the Bahama Islands, this visually appealing movie called for Jessica to often traipse around in a bikini but did not require her to dig deep as an actress. In 2007, Jessica's roles in the sequels to "Awake" and "Sin City" far from solidified her reputation as a serious actress. Hopefully, her resprising the role of Sue Storm in the sequel "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" will earn her critical acclaim. It seems more likely, though, that in the future Jessica Alba will accept a role that will call for her to dig deep as an actress, and this type of role will earn her the type of critical acclaim that has alluded her throughout her career.

Jessica Alba Hi/Lo Resolution Photos

(Updated: January 23, 2009)
Only one photo but a nice one of Jessica on the beach from tmz.com.
Jessica Alba Photos.
Jessica Alba and Hillary Duff recent Allure photo shoots.
Screen captures from the Jessica Alba film "Into the Blue."
Jessica Alba Pics