Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel Biography

Zooey Claire Deschanel (pronounced /ˈzoʊ.iː deɪʃəˈnɛl/ zoh-ee day-shə-nel; born January 17, 1980) is an American actress, musician, and singer-songwriter. In 1999, Deschanel made her film debut in Mumford, followed by her breakout role as young protagonist William Miller's troubled older sister Anita in Cameron Crowe's 2000 semi-autobiographical film Almost Famous. Deschanel soon became known for her deadpan or "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" supporting roles in films such as Elf (2003), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) Failure to Launch (2006), and Bridge to Terabithia (2007). She then began playing lead roles in films, including Yes Man (2008) and (500) Days of Summer (2009). She will next headline the new Fox series New Girl in fall 2011.

For a few years starting in 2001, Deschanel performed in the jazz cabaret act If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies with fellow actress Samantha Shelton. She plays keyboards, percussion, banjo and ukulele, and has sung in several of her films. Deschanel teamed up with M. Ward to release their debut album Volume One (recorded with M. Ward under the moniker She & Him) which was released in March 2008. The follow-up album Volume Two was released in the U.S. in March 2010. She is married to Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard.