Dawson was born & raised inside New York City. Her film career began unexpectedly once film maker Larry Clark saw her on the Manhattan street and asked her to become around the moving picture he was making. A film, Kids, became a critical profits & Dawson's performance was commended.

Following, Dawson decided to pursue an acting career & attended a Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Dawson has worked steadily since her debut, by owning her performances typically singled out for praise. Up to now, she hwhen worked using such critically acclaimed directors as Oliver Stone, Robert Rodriguez, and Spike Lee, and costarred sustaining a likes of Will Smith, Edward Norton, and Clive Owen.

Filmography
Vinyl (2005) Rent (2005) Sin City (2005) Alexander (2004) Shattered Glass (2003) The Rundown (2003) ''This Girl's Life (2003) 25th Hour (2002) The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) The First $20 Million (2002) Men in Black II (2002) Ash Wednesday (2002) Love In the Time of Money (2002) Chelsea Walls (2001) Trigger Happy (2001) Josie and the Pussycats (2001) Sidewalks of New York (2001) King of the Jungle (2001) Down to You (2000) Light It Up (1999) He Got Game (1998) Side Streets (1998) Girls Night Out (1997) Kids'' (1995)