Born in West Belfast, Hughes has appeared in films such as Duplex, Rocky Balboa, and Gran Torino.

[4] After being chosen for her role in the film Children in the Crossfire, Hughes spent her first summer in the United States.

Later, she attended the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) with a private scholarship from those she worked with in the film Children in the Crossfire.

And in 2009, Queens University in Belfast awarded Hughes an honorary doctorate for her contributions to the performing arts.

Later, during her first years in Los Angeles, Hughes became a part-time nanny to Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's children.

[5] Her performances of this play are dedicated “to all the children who live in places of conflict.”[8] Hughes left Belfast at the age of 18.

[13] Hughes also received a nomination for Distinguished Performance from the Drama League Award for her acting in her solo play, Belfast Blues, in 2004.