Holmes' New York spokesman and Klein's Beverly Hills publicist, Cindy Guagenti, both representatives of BWR Public Relations, confirmed that the couple are planning to be wed. No other details were available.

News of the couple's engagement began surfacing after sources told The Blade that Holmes' family members were discussing it during a recent holiday service at Christ the King Church. Holmes and Klein have dated for several years.

Holmes broke the news to her parents when she was visiting with them over Christmas, according to her father, Marty. "We obviously are very happy for her," he added.

No date has been set for the wedding, he said.

Klein (We Were Soldiers, American Pie, American Pie 2, Here on Earth) was born in March, 1979, and reared in Hinsdale, Ill. Holmes (The Singing Detective, Pieces of April) is a 1997 Notre Dame Academy graduate. She rose to stardom after being discovered in 1995 at an International Modeling and Talent Association convention and landing a role on the former WB teen television drama Dawson's Creek.

First Published December 31, 2003, 12:23 p.m.