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Zooey Deschanel Profile |
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Birth Date: January 17, 1980
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Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
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Birth Name: Zooey Claire Deschanel
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Height: 5'6"
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Biography |
Zooey Deschanel was born on January 17, 1980, in Los
Angeles, California. Her name was inspired by the male
character in legendary author J.D. Salinger's classic novel,
Franny and Zooey. Zooey had the good fortune of being born
into a showbiz family; her father Caleb is an
Oscar-nominated cinematographer, while her mother Mary Jo is
an accomplished actress.
It didn't take long for young Zooey to settle on a career.
Even though she could barely speak at the tender age of 2,
she proclaimed to her family that she wanted to be an
actress. About 10 years later, as a high school student,
Zooey started to take her childhood ambition from dream to
reality.
Because of her father's job, she spent a great deal of time
traveling to different parts of the globe. After graduating
from Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in suburban Los
Angeles, she moved on to Northwestern University. She
originally planned to get a degree in theater from the
well-respected institution, but dropped out during her first
year when her film career started going places.
Zooey Deschanel performed in stage productions before making
her first TV appearance in 1998, as "Elena" on an episode of
Veronica's Closet. In 1999, she made her silver screen debut
in Lawrence Kasdan's Mumford, as a client of a small-town
psychologist.
The following year, Zooey portrayed the flight attendant
sister of lead character William Miller in Almost Famous,
working alongside real-life high school classmate Kate
Hudson. In 2002, Zooey could be seen in comedies like Big
Trouble and The New Guy, as well as the critically acclaimed
The Good Girl, starring Jennifer Aniston, and the flop
Abandon, starring Katie Holmes. She also made an appearance
on NBC's Frasier, as Roz's cousin.
In 2003, she really got noticed for her work in the breakout
hit, Elf. Even Zooey said she didn't expect the flick to be
as popular as it was, despite her fine performance as a
department store elf who is also the apple of Will Ferrell's
eye.
Around the time of Elf's release, Zooey heard that a screen
test was being held for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the
Galaxy. Apparently, she was the only one among the
filmmakers and cast who had actually read the book. Zooey
says she read it when she was about 10 years old, and
consulted the book again to prepare for the screen test.
We'll be seeing a lot more of Zooey Deschanel in the years
to come: she's set to star in 2005's Winter Passing and
2006's Failure to Launch, Live Free or Die and Flakes. She
will also be lending her voice to "Lani" in 2007's Surf's
Up. |
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Other
Information |
Named for the male character in J.D. Salinger's "Franny and
Zooey".
Daughter of Caleb Deschanel and Mary Jo Deschanel.
Went to high school with her Almost Famous (2000) co-star
Kate Hudson.
Sister of actress Emily Deschanel.
Graduated from Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in
Santa Monica.
She spent several summers at camp upstate New York at French
Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. She was also featured
in the video for The Offspring's song "She's Got Issues" and
the accompanying MTV documentary The Offspring Complete
Music Video Collection (2005) (V). She also plays ukulele
for the band 'If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies' .
Attended Northwestern University.
Wrote a screenplay titled "Circus Girl" with friend Jackson
Nash. "Circus Girl" involves a witch, evil flying red
balloons and a giant diamond. Zooey plans to star in the
film as the nerdy main character.
Is a big fan of actress Parker Posey.
Interests include jazz singing, philosophy, fashion and
photography.
Did her own singing in the movie Elf (2003).
Plays the piano and the baritone ukulele.
One of her favorite songs is "Don't Stop Believing" by
Journey.
Has performed with Jackson Nash's comedy group, Manifest
Destinyfest.
Turned down a role in Bully (2001) to star in Big Trouble
(2002).
Loves Ella Fitzgerald.
Is part of the cabaret group called 'If All the Stars Were
Pretty Babies' .
She pronounces her name "ZOH-ee" (not "zoo-ee"). |
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