Comprehensive information and links about Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel (born January 17, 1980 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaZooey Deschanel is an American actress of French and Irish descent. She is the daughter of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel. Her sister Emily Deschanel is also an actress.

Noted for her unconventional beauty and a chameleon-like ability to change personas to suit a given role, Deschanel has steadily expanded her Hollywood profile. After her film debut in Lawrence Kasdan’s (1999) comedy , Deschanel drew attention with eye-catching roles as Patrick Fugit’s hippie older sister in Cameron Crowe’s acclaimed (2000) (a movie featuring fellow Crossroads graduate Kate Hudson) and the gothy, disaffected drugstore make-up clerk in the Jennifer Aniston film (2002). She won high praise for her sensitive, naturalistic portrayal of an innocent, self-assured, sexually curious 18-year-old virgin who has a life-changing romance with an aimless 22-year-old man (Paul Schneider) in David Gordon Green’s acclaimed cult film (2003); Deschanel was voted Best Actress at the Mar del Plata Film Festival and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. More recently, she played a department store elf opposite Will Ferrell in the popular Christmas comedy (2005).

Deschanel has appeared on the talk show circuit (including Jay Leno and Letterman) and presented film industry awards. Her TV portfolio also includes and various MTV clips including Offspring's video "She's Got Issues".

She appears with fellow actress Samantha Shelton in a cabaret act named If All the Stars Were Pretty Babies.

The name "Zooey" was inspired by the male character of the same name in J. D. Salinger's novel .

Deschanel is a huge fan of singer Ella Fitzgerald and actress Parker Posey. One of her favourite songs is "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey (band).

Quotes

"I love old music, old movies, screwball comedies, vintage clothes, and basically I'm an old-fashioned gal."

"I'm blessed with a lot of energy and stamina. I can't stand sitting still. I went to a spa once with my mom and I was like, 'Get me out of here!'"

"I don't really like to go out very much. I'm not scandalous. I'm not, like, in this to be famous. I also find it so embarrassing when you read about people and it's like they were so trashed at Skybar and stumbling around. I don't want to be that person. That's just so embarrassing to have that written about you."

"I don't want to go to another roller-coaster ride of a movie. If I want that, I'll go to Magic Mountain. I'm really interested in the young directors that are doing different things in cinema. I think the movies people will hold onto are the Rushmores and the Being John Malkoviches. Those are the kind of films I want to do; that's what I'm passionate about."