Rachel Bilson Biography

Rachel Bilson, Actress

Birthdate: August 25, 1981

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Sign: Virgo

Rachel Sarah Bilson was born in Los Angeles, California to Janice Stango Bilson and Danny Bilson, who was a writer, director and producer. The Bilson family was heavily involved in show business, including her grandfather who was a film director and her great-grandmother Hattie, a screenwriter.

Bilson appeared in several productions at her high school, Notre Dame High School, including "Bye Bye Birdie," "Once Upon a Mattress" and "The Crucible," graduating in 1996.

Bilson then went on to Grossmont College, dropping out one year later and turning her efforts towards acting at the advice of her father. She began making appearances in commercials including Subway, Raisin Bran and Pepto-Bismol.

She made her on screen debut in 2003, appearing in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." She also appeared in the short film "Unbroken."

Her big break happened when she took the role as Summer Roberts in the hit teen series "The O.C." which debuted in August of 2003. Her role was originally intended to be short term, but her onscreen romance with character Seth Cohen, played by Adam Brody, became a hit storyline in the series, making them both a name with teenage audiences. Bilson and Brody became a couple in 2003, but ended the relationship in late 2006.

Bilson won three awards at the Teen Choice Awards in 2005 earning: "Choice Hottie Female," "Choice TV Actress (Drama)" and "Best Onscreen TV Chemistry" with Adam Brody. Later in 2005, Maxim named her #6 in the annual "Hot 100 List" and in 2006, she was named #14 on the list.

The British publication FHM named her #28 in the 2006 Sexiest Women in the World list, with the U.S. Edition ranking her #77 in 2005. In 2006, People Magazine named the actress as "100 Most Beautiful People."

Her first big onscreen film role was in the romantic comedy "The Last Kiss" starring alongside Zach Braff and Jacinda Barrett. Bilson took on the role of a college student who seduces Braff's married character. Bilson used a body double for the sexual scene in the film, saying that she "feels strongly about not appearing in a nude scene."

In 2006, she next took the thriller "Jumper," co-starring with Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson. She later took on a small role in the film "New York, I Love You." She also made on-screen television appearances on "That '70s Show" and "Chuck."

Bilson delved into the fashion scene in late 2007 after approaching DKNY Jeans. The partnership formed the casual fashion line Edie Rose, named after Bilson's grandmother.

She currently resides in Los Angeles and is dating her previous co-star, Hayden Christensen.