Swank was third choise for Baby

Actress Hilary Swank has Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd to thank for her Best Actress Oscar for Million Dollar Baby - because the role was refused by both actresses.

The movie's producer Albert S Ruddy's first choice for the part of a tragic female boxer was Bullock, who turned down the part when she was told she could not pick the director. Ruddy next approached Judd, whose salary demands would have burst the budget.