Bullock was born in 1964 in Arlington, Virginia. Her parents were both singers, leading her to pursue a career in show business herself.
After studying acting at East Carolina University, Bullock moved to New York to try her luck at the stage. This eventually led to a number of roles on television, most notably the part of Tess McGill (originated by Melanie Griffith) in the TV version of "Working Girl."
Bullock soon found work in film, with notable performances in movies like "Love Potion No. 9" and "Demolition Man." She became a star when she appeared opposite Keanu Reeves in the 1994 blockbuster "Speed."
After "Speed," Bullock evinced a knack for romantic comedies: movies like "While You Were Sleeping," "Practical Magic" and "28 Days." The proclivity helped give her the moniker of "America's Sweetheart."
Bullock tends to work in genres which do not do well during awards season. Despite that, she has twice been nominated for a Golden Globe (in "While Your Were Sleeping" and "Miss Congeniality"), and she also had a prominent role in 2005's "Crash," which won the Oscar for Best Picture that year.