Biografia

John Hughes originally cast Swanson on the role of the girl who picks up the phone in the school hall in Una pazza giornata di vacanza (1986), however he inadvertently recast the role as it was filmed in Chicago. Hughes had liked Swanson's audition so much he wrote the small role of the Economics student specifically for her. He then recommended her for a small role in the reshot ending of Bella in rosa (1986), which was done a few months later.

Between the ages of 9 and 13, Kristy appeared in over 30 television commercials.

As seen on an outtake of the web series 3Way (2008), she still knows her long, tongue-twisting line from Una pazza giornata di vacanza (1986) by heart.

Her father Bob 'Swanie' Swanson played the referee in Buffy - L'ammazzavampiri (1992).

She gave up regular schooling at age 13 to focus on acting. Her parents, Bob and Rosemary, gave her home instruction. Her parents are retired physical education teachers.