[1] She is best known for her roles as Lydia Hillard in the comedy-drama film Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and as Alicia Casse in Independence Day (1996).

[3] She appeared in comedy-drama film Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) alongside Mara Wilson, Sally Field, Matthew Lawrence, and Robin Williams.

[5][6] When Jakub received the part of Lydia in Mrs. Doubtfire, her high school expelled her for accruing too many absences.

She starred in Picture Perfect (1995), and portrayed a bordello worker in the American Old West in Painted Angels (1997).

[13] She has openly discussed her battles with anxiety, depression and panic attacks, from which she has suffered since her teenage years, and credits her yoga practice for helping her to overcome them.