In movies and on television, vampires were often portrayed as vicious creatures that preyed on innocent, helpless victims. Ashley Greene's portrayal of Alice Cullen in the hugely successful "Twilight" (2008) film franchise shed new light on the cinematic undead - loyal, sympathetic, and one who could control the thirst for human blood. Greene rose from obscurity after playing the kindhearted vampire created by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer in 2005. Greene's new-found fame hit a minor speed bump after nude photos of the star, taken during her early modeling career, were published on the Internet. After taking legal action to remove the photos, she was flooded with offers for various projects and reprised her star-making role in the subsequent "Twilight" saga films, ultimately becoming one of the most successful and globally recognized young actors of the vampire genre.