Jessica Szohr
{{Short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jessica Szohr
| image = Jessica Szohr 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg
| caption = Szohr in 2019
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|3|31}}
| birth_place = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, U.S.
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2003–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Brad Richardson|2024}}
| children = 1
}}
Jessica Szohr ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|z|ɔr}};{{cite news |work=The Miami Herald |date=March 16, 2009 |title=Jessica Szohr isn't a glamour girl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-jessica-szohr/131957987/ |page=A8 |author=Madeleine Marr}} born March 31, 1985{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/lady-gaga-matt-nathanson-dave-keuning-reba-mcentire-hip-hop-and-rap-8a3fd2e39b38595abaebba4476139bd7|title=Celebrity birthdays for the week of March 28–April 3|date=March 22, 2021|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322204831/https://apnews.com/article/lady-gaga-matt-nathanson-dave-keuning-reba-mcentire-hip-hop-and-rap-8a3fd2e39b38595abaebba4476139bd7|url-status=live}}) is an American actress. She started her screen career appearing on television shows such as My Wife and Kids (2003), Joan of Arcadia (2004), What About Brian (2007) and CSI: Miami (2007). She gained recognition in 2007 with her breakthrough role as Vanessa Abrams on The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012). She has appeared in feature films including the horror film Piranha 3D (2010), the comedy film I Don't Know How She Does It (2011), the comedy film The Internship (2013) and the comedy film Ted 2 (2015). Her recent television credits include Complications (2015), Kingdom (2015), Twin Peaks (2017) and Shameless (2017–18). Since 2018, she has been a main cast member of the Fox/Hulu science fiction series The Orville, as Talla Keyali.
Early life
Szohr was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.{{cite web |url=https://patch.com/wisconsin/menomoneefalls/menomonee-falls-jessica-szohr-will-not-return-to-gossip-girl | title=Menomonee Falls' Jessica Szohr Dropped From 'Gossip Girl' | first=Carl | last=Engelking | work=Patch | date=May 12, 2011}} She is of Hungarian and one-quarter African-American descent,{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20360857_20364406,00.html#20776532 |title=World's Most Beautiful 2010! – Jessica Szohr |work=People |publisher=Time |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=August 22, 2010}}{{cite web| url = http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20547855_20440585,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121207182639/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20547855_20440585,00.html| archive-date = 2012-12-07| title = Jessica Szohr Bakes with Grandma - Jessica Szohr : People.com}} and the oldest of five children (Megan, Danielle, Nick, and Sadie).{{cite web|last1=Bialek |first1=Nan |title=Girl, uninterrupted |url=http://www.gmtoday.com/content/m_magazine/2011/February/m_022011_49.asp |publisher=gmtoday.com |access-date=August 10, 2015 |date=March 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022648/http://www.gmtoday.com/content/m_magazine/2011/February/m_022011_49.asp |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }} She started a cleaning company with a friend, cleaning their teachers' houses.{{Cite news|title=Seventeen Interviews Jessica Szohr from Gossip Girl! |publisher=Seventeen |date=March 13, 2009 |url=http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/jessica-szohr-interview |access-date=January 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305095356/http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/jessica-szohr-interview |archive-date=March 5, 2010 }}
Szohr started modeling as a child. She appeared in print ads for Kohl's department store.{{cite magazine| title= Jessica Szohr| magazine= US Magazine| url= http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/jessica-szohr#celeb-2| access-date= September 3, 2010}} Subsequent modeling gigs followed, including prints for Crate & Barrel, Mountain Dew, Sears, Jockey and JanSport.{{cite web|url=http://cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl/cast/jessica-szohr|title=JESSICA SZOHR as VANESSA ABRAMS|publisher=The CW|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310193406/http://www.cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl/cast/jessica-szohr|archive-date=March 10, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=January 24, 2010}} Szohr graduated from Menomonee Falls High School a semester early{{cite magazine| title= Gossip Girl Transformations| magazine= InStyle| url= http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20208061_20207867_20473217,00.html| access-date= January 24, 2010| archive-date= May 5, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100505131537/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20208061_20207867_20473217,00.html| url-status= dead}} and moved to Los Angeles with her mother at the age of 17 to pursue an acting career. She told Seventeen magazine that she "almost moved home like five times." She initially aspired to become an interior designer{{cite web|last1=Eichinger|first1=Elle|title=Jessica Szohr: It's complicated|url=http://splash.suntimes.com/2015/07/23/jessica-szohr-its-complicated|website=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=August 10, 2015|date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727012608/http://splash.suntimes.com/2015/07/23/jessica-szohr-its-complicated|archive-date=July 27, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} and had enrolled in Columbia College Chicago, but her agent ultimately convinced her to try pilot season auditions.
Career
Szohr made her debut as an actress in 2003 in an episode of the third season of My Wife and Kids, titled "Not So Hostile Takeover". Her first film was Uncle Nino (2003), playing a minor role as The MC. She appeared in numerous guest roles in teen television series such as That's So Raven, Drake & Josh, What I Like About You, and Joan of Arcadia. She also appeared in three episodes of CSI: Miami as Samantha Barrish.
File:Jessica Szohr LF cropped.JPG
In 2007, she appeared in a major recurring role as Laura for six episodes in the ABC dramedy series What About Brian. Along with Stacy Keibler, she played a neighbor to the leading role, Brian O'Hara (Barry Watson).{{Cite news| title= Stacy Keibler and Jessica Szohr Join What About Brian| publisher= Movie Web| date= December 13, 2006| url= http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEksOkprG8qeno| archive-url= https://archive.today/20120904111712/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEksOkprG8qeno| url-status= dead| archive-date= September 4, 2012| access-date= August 20, 2010}} She also appeared in the music videos for "Best Days" by Matt White and "Over You" by Daughtry, in which she played Sarah.
In the same year, Szohr earned her breakthrough role on the hit CW teen drama series Gossip Girl.{{cite magazine| last=Ausiello| first=Michael |author-link=Michael Ausiello | title= Exclusive Girl Gossip: Brian Babe Joins Cast!| magazine= TV Guide| date= September 16, 2007| url= https://www.tvguide.com/news/Exclusive-Girl-Gossip-8276.aspx| access-date= September 3, 2010}} She plays Vanessa Abrams.{{cite magazine| last= Byrne| first= Fiona| title= The Night We Met Vanessa From 'Gossip Girl' and Didn't Kill Her| magazine= New York Magazine| date= November 20, 2007| url=https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/11/the_night_we_met_vanessa_from.html| access-date= October 25, 2010}} Szohr said of her character: "Vanessa doesn't change for other people. She says what she thinks. [...] she's just a badass girl from Brooklyn". The portrayal of Vanessa has drawn criticism from Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the original Gossip Girl novels.{{cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1597121/gossip-girl-author-is-a-faithful-watcher-of-the-tv-series-although-one-thing-was-ruined/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903191522/http://www.mtv.com/news/1597121/gossip-girl-author-is-a-faithful-watcher-of-the-tv-series-although-one-thing-was-ruined/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |title='Gossip Girl' Author Is A 'Faithful Watcher' Of The TV Series — Although One Thing Was 'Ruined' … |publisher=MTV News. Viacom |date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=August 30, 2014}} Originally cast as a recurring role,{{cite web |last=Dodd |first=Stacy |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/people-news/jessica-szohr-1117972530/ |title=Jessica Szohr |work=Variety |publisher=PMC |date=September 23, 2007 |access-date=August 30, 2014}} Szohr was promoted to series regular after the season one episode "The Blair Bitch Project" in April 2008.{{cite episode |title=The Blair Bitch Project |series=Gossip Girl |series-link=Gossip Girl |season=1 |number=14 |airdate=April 21, 2008 |network=The CW}} In May 2011, it was confirmed Szohr would not be returning for the fifth season.{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Ausiello |url=http://tvline.com/2011/05/09/gossip-girl-taylor-momsen-jessica-szohr-leaving/ |title=Gossip Girl Exclusive: Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr Not Returning For Season 5 |publisher=TVLine. PMC |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2013}} She returned in for a cameo appearance on the series finale, "New York, I Love You XOXO", on December 17, 2012.{{cite magazine |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/12/17/gossip-girl-series-finale-recap/ |title='Gossip Girl' series finale: Talk about it here! (Updated) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=August 30, 2014}}
Szohr has appeared in small roles in films such as Somebody Help Me, The Reading Room and Fired Up. She signed on to Dimension Films' horror Piranha 3D,{{cite magazine| last= Kroll| first= Justin| title= Jessica Szohr added to 'Piranha 3-D'| magazine= Variety| date= May 26, 2009| url= https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/jessica-szohr-added-to-piranha-3d-1118004177/| access-date= August 19, 2010}} in the role of Kelly.{{cite magazine| title= Jessica Szohr to Be Devoured by Piranhas| magazine= New York Magazine| date= June 5, 2009| url= https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/05/jessica_szohr_to_be_devoured_b.html| access-date= August 19, 2010}} The role required her to be underwater; Szohr later told the New York Daily News filming was difficult because she was "not the best swimmer."{{cite news| last= E. Osterhout| first= Jacob| title= 'Gossip Girl' star Jessica Szohr battles her fear of deep lakes in 'Piranha 3D'| newspaper= New York Daily News| date= August 15, 2010| url= http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/08/15/2010-08-15_gossip_girl_star_jessica_szohr_battles_a_fear_of_deep_lakes_in_piranha_3d.html#ixzz0wh7bGH99| access-date= August 20, 2010}} Filming began in June 2009, and the film was pushed back from its original release date in March to August 2010.{{Cite news| last= Connelly| first= Brendon| title= Piranha 3D Pushed Back At Least Four Months, Might Not Even Be 3D| publisher= Slash Film| date= January 15, 2010| url= https://www.slashfilm.com/2010/01/15/piranha-3d-pushed-back-at-least-four-months-might-not-even-be-3d/| access-date= August 20, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100715164037/http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/01/15/piranha-3d-pushed-back-at-least-four-months-might-not-even-be-3d/| archive-date= July 15, 2010| url-status= dead| df= mdy-all}} She also appeared in a Funny or Die video promoting the film alongside Kelly Brook and others.{{cite web| title= Piranha 3D: For Your Consideration| date= August 16, 2010| publisher= Funny or Die| url= http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ee21d63b31/piranha-3d-for-your-consideration?playlist=featured_videos| access-date= August 20, 2010}}
Szohr was awarded the Breakthrough Actress in Film award at the 2010 Breakthrough of the Year awards for her work in Piranha 3D.{{Cite news|title=Agron & Szohr Land Top Breakthrough Honors |publisher=W.E.N.N |date=August 16, 2010 |url=http://www.wenn.com/all-news/agron-szohr-land-top-breakthrough-honors/ |access-date=August 27, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823051657/http://www.wenn.com/all-news/agron-szohr-land-top-breakthrough-honors/ |archive-date=August 23, 2010 }}
In April 2010, Szohr joined the cast of the romantic comedy Love, Wedding, Marriage, along with Mandy Moore and Kellan Lutz. The film began principal photography in April 2010 and was filmed in New Orleans.{{Cite news| last= Scott| first= Mike| title= Dermot Mulroney to try directing with new Orleans-shot romantic comedy| publisher= Nola| date= April 27, 2010| url= http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2010/04/dermot_mulroney_to_try_directi.html| access-date= August 20, 2010}} That same year, Szohr was included on People magazine's "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" list.
Szohr has a role in the 2012 independent post-apocalyptic sci-fi film Hirokin.{{cite magazine| last= McNary| first= Dave| title= Thesps join 'Hirokin' list'| magazine= Variety| date= May 26, 2009| url= https://variety.com/2010/film/news/thesps-join-hirokin-list-1118021890/| access-date= August 19, 2010}} Her role as Orange has been described as a "cunning temptress".
Szohr starred in the 2012 indie drama Art Machine as an outlaw hipster and a pyrotechnic artist.{{cite magazine| title= EXCLUSIVE: Joseph Cross, Jessica Szohr Starring in Indie 'Art Machine'| magazine= The Hollywood Reporter| date= October 25, 2010| url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/exclusive-joseph-cross-jessica-szohr-32483| access-date= October 25, 2010| first=Borys| last=Kit}} In October 2011, she finished filming a horror comedy film in East Lothian, Scotland titled Love Bite with co-star Ed Speleers. In November 2011, Szohr filmed the drama Light Years in Los Angeles.
In 2012, Szohr helped Hayden Panettiere punk Glee actress Dianna Agron.{{cite web|title=Dianna Agron gets Punk'd by Jessica Szohr and Hayden Panettier!|url=https://www.facebook.com/JessicaSzohrPage/posts/222723924495761?stream_ref=5|publisher=Facebook|access-date=December 14, 2014}}
Szohr appeared in Taylor Swift's 2013 music video for the song "22". In March 2013, she was cast as the female lead in the Fox drama pilot The List, playing FBI agent Natalie Voss.{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/jessica-szohr-to-star-in-foxs-list-camille-guaty-elizabeth-pena-join-abc-comedies-446182/ |title=Jessica Szohr To Star In Fox's 'List', Camille Guaty & Elizabeth Pena Join ABC Comedies |website=Deadline Hollywood. PMC |date=March 5, 2013 |access-date=March 7, 2013}} However, it was reported on May 8, 2013, that Fox had passed on the pilot.{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/fox-picks-up-dramas-rake-gang-related-sleepy-hollow-and-j-j-abrams-almost-human-493438/ |title=Fox Picks Up Dramas 'Rake', 'Gang Related', 'Sleepy Hollow' And 'Almost Human' |website=Deadline Hollywood. PMC |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2014}} In November 2013, Szohr was cast as Gretchen in USA Network's medical drama pilot Complications.{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |url=http://tvline.com/2013/11/22/complications-pilot-usa-cast-lauren-stamile-jessica-szohr/ |title=Pilot Scoop: Alums of Grey's, Leverage, Gossip Girl Join Jason O'Mara in USA's Complications |publisher=TVLine. PMC |date=November 22, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2014 |archive-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214140328/http://tvline.com/2013/11/22/complications-pilot-usa-cast-lauren-stamile-jessica-szohr/ |url-status=dead }}
In June 2015, Szohr was set as a recurring on the upcoming second season of DirecTV’s MMA drama Kingdom. Szohr will play Laura Melvin, an artist/photographer who has "read everything, been everywhere," and immediately intrigued by Jay (Jonathan Tucker) whom she wants to hire for a photo shoot.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/natalie-martinez-jessica-szohr-cast-kingdom-1201437485/|title=Natalie Martinez & Jessica Szohr Join DirecTV's 'Kingdom'|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2015-06-04|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en-US}}
On February 12, 2018, Szohr was cast as a regular for the second season of the science fiction comedy-drama series The Orville, as Talla Keyali.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/the-orville-jessica-szohr-cast-series-regular-season-2-fox-series-1202284734/|title='The Orville': Jessica Szohr Cast As Series Regular For Season 2 Of Fox Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=February 12, 2018}}
On January 26, 2022, Szohr launched the podcast XOXO with Jessica Szohr, a walk down memory lane with the cast and crew of Gossip Girl featuring behind-the scenes stories, on-set memories, and more with interviews and occasional episode rewatches.
Personal life
Szohr enjoys snowboarding, hiking, yoga, and football. She describes her hobbies as a result of her being from Wisconsin. She also is a Green Bay Packers fan.{{Cite news|last=Frederick |first=Brendan |title=Jess is More |publisher="Complex" |date=October 22, 2008 |url=http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Complex-Women/Jessica-Szohr |access-date=January 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710075359/http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Complex-Women/Jessica-Szohr |archive-date=July 10, 2010 }}
Szohr's partner is former professional ice hockey player Brad Richardson. Szohr gave birth to their daughter on January 11, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/gossip-girls-jessica-szohr-brad-richardson-welcome-1st-child/|title=Jessica Szohr Gives Birth|publisher=Usweekly.com|author=Cardoza, Riley|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=January 13, 2021}}{{cite web|author=Boucher, Ashley|date=September 23, 2020|title=Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr Expecting First Child With Brad Richardson|url=https://people.com/parents/gossip-girl-star-jessica-szohr-is-pregnant/|access-date=September 24, 2020|publisher=People.com}} The two got engaged in May 2022,{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/jessica-szohr-brad-richardson-engaged/|title=Jessica Szohr Is Engaged to NHL Player Brad Richardson: 'I Said Yes!'|publisher=People.com|author=Beard, Lanford|date=May 16, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022}} and married in August 2024.{{cite web| url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gossip-girl-alum-jessica-szohr-marries-brad-richardson/#:~:text=XOXO%2C%20Jessica%20Szohr%20is%20officially,was%20her%20maid%20of%20honor. |website= US Weekly |date=August 18, 2024 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |title=‘Gossip Girl’ Actress Jessica Szohr Marries Longtime Partner Brad Richardson |author=Danielle Long}}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2003
| Dee-Jay | Episode: "Not So Hostile Takeover" |
| rowspan="3" | 2004
| Liz | Episode: "Lunar Eclipse of the Heart" |
| Drake & Josh
| | Episode: "Two Idiots and a Baby" |
| Joan of Arcadia
| Nikki | Episode: "Double Dutch" |
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| Jordache Hilltopper | Episode: "The Big Buzz" |
| {{sortname|The|Reading Room|dab=film}}
| Dayva |
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| Laura | 6 episodes |
| CSI: Miami
| Samantha Barrish | 3 episodes |
| 2007–2012
|Recurring cast (season 1); main role (seasons 1–4); uncredited (season 6) |
| 2007
| Nicole | Television film |
| 2010
| {{sortname|The|City|dab=2008 TV series}} | Herself | Episode: "The Belle of Elle" |
| 2012
| Punk'd | Herself | Episode: "Hayden Panettiere" |
| 2013
| Jenny | Episode: "Long Distance Tyler" |
| 2014
| Lucky in Love | Mira Simon | Television film |
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| Gretchen Polk | Main role |
| Kingdom
| Laura Melvin | 5 episodes |
| CSI: Cyber
| Carmen Lopez / Blaze / Det. April Castilla | Episode: "Gone in 6 Seconds" |
| 2017
| Twin Peaks{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/twin-peaks-full-cast-david-lynch-showtime-series-1201743122/|title = 'Twin Peaks': Here is the Full Cast of David Lynch's Showtime Reboot|date = April 25, 2016}} | Renee | 3 episodes |
| 2017–2018
| Shameless{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/shameless-enlists-jessica-szohr-season-8-1015325|title='Shameless' Enlists Jessica Szohr for Season 8 (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2017-06-22|language=en}} | Nessa Chabon | 11 episodes |
| 2019–present
| Main cast (seasons 2–present) |
=Music videos=
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Workstation ! Result |
|---|
| 2011
| Best Scared-As-S**t Performance | Piranha 3D | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|1221906}}
- {{people.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Szohr, Jessica}}
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Wisconsin
Category:African-American female models
Category:American film actresses
Category:American people of Hungarian descent
Category:American television actresses
Category:People from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Category:21st-century African-American actresses