Hilary Swank's Reality Check ... Nuzzling with 'Bachelorette' Contestant (PHOTO)

Hilary Swank, a two-time Oscar winner who's dated Hollywood stars, has gone reality, because she's getting cozy with a former contestant from "The Bachelorette."

Swank spent her 41st birthday Thursday night at Gjelina -- a popular restaurant in Venice, CA -- with Kasey Stewart, who was eliminated in week 9 during Desiree Hartsock's season of "The Bachelorette."

Stewart posted, "Happy Birthday to this beautiful soul. @hilaryswank."

This boy's not cryin'.

Turns out ... Swank and Stewart go back to at least 2013 ... when the pair posed for a photo together in nearly matching v-neck t-shirts.