Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel Introduction

Zooey Deschanel (pronounced ZOH-ey) did not become an actress by mistake. Her whole damned family is in the business. She is the daughter of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel (née Weir). Her sister, Emily Deschanel, is also an actress.

Zooey Deschanel Life Story

Her mother named her Zooey after the male character in J.D. Salinger's novel Franny and Zooey probably because Franny was too simple of a name and, well, their family lineage is Irish and the Irish are crazy. She dropped out of college to pursue acting and made her film debut in Lawrence Kasdan’s (1999) comedy Mumford. Deschanel then appeared as Patrick Fugit’s rebellious older sister in Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical Almost Famous (2000). Since then she has appeared in over twenty films including Live Free or Die, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Elf where she sang a song in the shower with Will Ferrell (her career is now complete).

Zooey starred as the wacky music teacher in Bridge to Terabithia (2007), the wacky girlfriend in "Weeds" and the wacky penguin in Surf's Up (2007). She also co-starred in the movie Yes Man (2008), opposite the wacky Jim Carrey.

She is also the lead singer for She and Him. Great band, wonderful music http://www.myspace.com/sheandhim .

In the Fall of 2011 Zooey will star on the Fox sitcom "The New Girl." In January 2012 Zooey announced that her and her singer husband Ben, will be getting a divorce.

Zooey placed number 41 on the 2012 Maxim Hot 100 list.