Cast
BLAKE LIVELY as SERENA VAN DER WOODSEN
Blake Lively stars as Serena van der Woodsen in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
Lively has quickly become one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood. She starred in Universal’s summer comedy “Accepted,” alongside Justin Long and directed by Steve Pink. She made her big-screen debut in Warner Bros.’ “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” for which she earned a “Breakthrough Performance” nomination at the “2005 Teen Choice Awards.” Lively also starred in the independent feature “Elvis & Annabelle,” starring opposite Max Minghella and Mary Steenburgen, as well as the sequel to “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” which was released in August 2008. In the fall, she will star in “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee,” alongside Robin Wright Penn and Alan Arkin.
In addition to being honored at the December 2006 Hollywood Life Breakthrough Awards, Lively won “Choice TV Actress” and “Choice TV Breakout Star” at The Teen Choice Awards in 2008. Lively splits her time between New York City and her hometown of Los Angeles.
LEIGHTON MEESTER as BLAIR WALDORF
Leighton Meester stars as Blair Waldorf in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
During the “Gossip Girl” hiatus, Meester completed production on two films. She will be co-starring alongside Cam Gigandet and Minka Kelly in “The Roommate.” In the film, Meester plays Rebecca, a college student who becomes obsessed with her roommate, Sara, played by Kelly. “The Roommate” comes out next year. In “Date Night,” Meester will appear alongside Steve Carell and Tina Fey in the film where a regular date night becomes more than one couple expected. “Date Night” will be released April 9, 2010.
As if filming the two movies wasn’t enough, Meester began recording her new album which will be released on Universal Republic this year. After making her television debut when she was 13 on “Law & Order,” she got her breakout role in 2004 with a recurring role as the Britney Spears-like singer Justine Chapin on the hit series “Entourage,” a role she will reprise in September 2008. She continued to work steadily with guest-star roles on series like “8 Simple Rules,” “Numbers” and “CSI Miami,” and has had recurring roles on popular series such as “24,” “Veronica Mars,” “Shark” and “House.” In addition, she had regular roles on “Tarzan” and “Surface.”
Meester made her film debut in the feature “Hangman’s Curse,” based on the best-selling novel by Frank Peretti. She also recently starred in the independent film “Flourish” with future “House” co-stars Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer, and in the drama “Inside.” Meester’s additional feaure films roles include the dramedy “The Beautiful Ordinary,” the horror/comedy “Drive-Thru” and the thriller “Dead of Night.”
Raised in Marco Island, Florida, Meester became interested in acting when she appeared in a local production of “The Wizard of Oz.” When she was 11, she moved with her family to New York City and soon after began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Webber and working with then photographer Sophia Coppola. When not on the set, Meester passionately pursues her talent for music and creative writing. She even recorded a song for the soundtrack of her film “Drive-Thru.” She currently resides in New York.
PENN BADGLEY as DAN HUMPHREY
Penn Badgley currently stars as Dan Humphrey in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
Badgley will next be seen on the big screen in the dramatic thriller “The Stepfather” opposite Dylan Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) and Sela Ward (“House”), in theatres this October. He recently completed production on “Easy A,” in which he stars alongside Stanley Tucci, Emma Stone and Amanda Bynes. Last fall, Badgley took a villainous turn in the rugby-themed “Forever Strong.” He also appeared in “John Tucker Must Die,” and has starred in several television series, including the short-lived “Do Over”; Badgley’s first starring role, which came when he was 15, and garnered critical acclaim.
Born in Baltimore, Badgley split his formative years between Midlothian, Virginia, and Seattle, Washington. It was in Seattle that, through his love of music, he stumbled upon a local playhouse and became involved in musical theatre, where his passion for acting grew. Badgley relocated to Los Angeles and built up his resume while attending Santa Monica College. He had planned to transfer to USC, where he was accepted at 17, but life and work intervened.
Badgley currently resides in New York. He enjoys writing music and playing soccer in his spare time.
CHACE CRAWFORD as NATE ARCHIBALD
Chace Crawford stars as Nate Archibald in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
On the feature film side of his career, Crawford will play the lead role in “Footloose,” which begins production in early 2010. During the “Gossip Girl” hiatus he also wrapped production as the star of the upcoming Joel Schumacher film “Twelve,” which will be released in 2010. For television, Crawford appeared in Lifetime’s movie “Long Lost Son” in 2006, in which he portrayed the son of Gabrielle Anwar’s character.
Crawford grew up in Plano, Texas. He moved to Los Angeles to attend Pepperdine University and while there, he began acting as a hobby. Shortly thereafter, he landed his first break as Tyler Simms in the film “The Covenant.” Currently, Crawford splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City, where “Gossip Girl” is filmed.
TAYLOR MOMSEN as JENNY HUMPHREY
Taylor Momsen currently stars as Jenny Humphrey in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
An actress whose poise and range reaches well beyond her years, Momsen is making her mark in Hollywood. Working with directors ranging from Ron Howard to Gus Van Sant, she is one of the industry’s most respected and sought after young actors.
On the big screen she was last seen in Gus Van Sant’s “Paranoid Park” for IFC Films. The film premiered to rave reviews and won the 60th Anniversary Award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Additional film credits include: “Underdog,” Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids 2,” and Randall Wallace’s “We Were Soldiers” starring Mel Gibson.
In 2000, Momsen starred in her breakthrough performance in Ron Howard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” as Cindy Lou Who opposite Jim Carrey for Imagine Entertainment and Universal Studios. The film grossed over $340 million worldwide.
Momsen is also an accomplished singer/songwriter/musician. During the summer of 2009, she embarked on a 15-state North American tour, performing her music with her band, “The Pretty Reckless.” She has recently signed with Interscope Records and EMI Publishing, with her first album due to debut in early 2010.
She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and currently resides in New York.
JESSICA SZOHR as VANESSA ABRAMS
Jessica Szohr stars as Vanessa in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
In June, Szohr completed production on the Dimension film “Piranha 3-D,” a remake of the 1978 horror thriller “Piranha.” She stars alongside Jerry O’Connell and Elizabeth Shue. This will be released in theaters on March 19. Szohr was discovered at age 16, when she began working as a Kohl’s department store model. She has also modeled for Crate and Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Quaker Oats, Jockey, Jansport and Seventeen magazine.
Her additional television credits include guest starring roles on “What About Brian” and “CSI: Miami.” You can also see her featured in music videos for “Over You” by Daughtry and “Best Days” by Matt White. Szohr currently resides in New York City.
ED WESTWICK as CHUCK BASS
Ed Westwick stars as Chuck Bass in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
An emerging British actor trained at The National Youth Theatre in London, Westwick appeared in two high profile features. He played the role of Alex in Alfonso Cuarón’s “Children of Men,” opposite Clive Owen and Julianne Moore. Westwick was also seen playing the role of Zoran in Anthony Mighella’s “Breaking and Entering,” opposite Jude Law, Juliette Binoche and Robin Wright Penn. His film credits also include “Son of Rambow.”
His additional television credits include guest-starring roles in “Californication,” “Afterlife” for ITV1, “Casualty” for the BBC, “Doctors” for the BBC and “Dream Team” for Sky One. When not filming “Gossip Girl” in New York City, Westwick resides outside London.
KELLY RUTHERFORD as LILY HUMPHREY
Kelly Rutherford stars as Lily van der Woodsen in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
Perhaps best-known to television audiences as Megan Mancini in the hit series “Melrose Place,” Rutherford’s additional television credits include starring roles in “E-Ring,” “Threat Matrix,” “The Kindred,” The Great Defender” and “Homefront.” She also had recurring roles on “The District,” “The Fugitive,” “Get Real,” and “The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr.” Rutherford made guest appearances on such series as “Courthouse,” “Davis Rules” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” She also had a contract role on the NBC soap opera “Generations.”
Rutherford appeared in the feature films “Swimming Upstream,” “Scream 3,” “I Love Trouble” and “Shakedown,” as well as the television movies “Cry Wolf,” “Robin Cook’s Acceptable Risk,” “The Perfect Getaway” and “No Greater Love.”
MATTHEW SETTLE as RUFUS HUMPHREY
Matthew Settle stars as Rufus Humphrey in The CW’s hit drama “Gossip Girl,” from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The O.C.”), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers in New York City.
Settle starred as lead character Jacob Wheeler in 2005′s TNT six-week television event, “Into the West,” from executive producer Steven Spielberg. The series was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards. He is also known for his unforgettable role as Capt. Ronald Speirs in HBO’s Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Other television credits include “Brothers & Sisters,” “The Practice” and “ER.”
In film, Settle will next star in “Ex-Terminators,” with Jennifer Coolidge and Heather Graham. Past film credits include Callie Khour’s film adaptation of “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” in which he starred opposite Ashley Judd, Jonathan Mostow’s WW11 submarine drama “U-571,” and a critically lauded portrayal of Warren Beatty in Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Mystery of Natalie Wood.”
Born in North Carolina, Settle moved to New York City at age 18 to pursue acting. There his talent was recognized by the legendary producer/lawyer Jay Julien, whose clients included such brilliant “locals” as Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken. Julien awarded Settle a three-year scholarship with renowned acting teacher William Esper, which in turn led to Settle’s first role in Louis L’Amour’s “Shaughnessy” for CBS. Settle resides with his family in New York City.
