ZOOEY DESCHANEL

Actress, musician, singer/songwriter, you name it she can do it. Zooey Claire Deschanel was born on January 17, 1980 in Los Angeles, California. She comes from a family of talent as her father was an Academy Award nominated cinematographer and her mother was an actress. Her older sister is also an actress and stars in the TV series Bones. Deschanel made her first film debut in the Lawrence Kasdan's 1999 comedy Mumford. Her second film was the 2002 favorite Almost Famous. She starred as Anita Miller, the rebellious older sister. She also took on a different role appearing in The Offspring's music video, "She's Got Issues."

Deschanel then took a change of pace in her career as she took up singing. In 2001 she formed, If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies, a jazz cabaret act alongside actress Samantha Shelton. The two performed around Los Angeles. She also sang in the television musical Once Upon a Mattress. She continued to play several supporting roles in films such as Manic, Big Trouble, and Abandon. Deschanel began turning down supporting roles until she finally landed her first lead role in 2003. In the film, All the Real Girls, she played a sexually curious 18 year-old virgin who has a life changing romance with a 22 year-old. She received an Independent Spirit nomination for best actress. She then starred alongside Will Ferrell in the comedy Elf. In 2006 Deschanel played Sarah Jessica Parker's neurotic roommate in the love story Failure to Launch. In 2007 she appeared in two children's films, Bridge to Terabithia and the animated film Surf's Up, in which she did a voice over for one of the penguins in the movie. In 2008-2009 she stared in the film Yes Man opposite of Jim Carrey, and 500 Days of Summer, a popular romantic comedy. This star is full of talent and potential and will continue to accomplish and achieve her goals.

FUN FACTS:

Zooey went to high school with her Almost Famous co-star Kate Hudson.

She is the younger sister of actress Emily Deschanel.

Zooey attended Northwestern University for a year but dropped out to pursue acting and music.