Rachel Bilson's Biography

Rachel Sarah Bilson was born in Los Angeles , California on August 25, 1981, Rachel Bilson was always treated like a princess. Her older brothers and parents spoiled her from birth and she grew up quite comfortably as a result. Throughout her childhood years, she learned how to wrap her older siblings and friends around her little finger, becoming that cute, sly girl that everyone can't help but love. In doing so, she proved she had a natural flair for dramatics even before hitting the stage or standing in front of a camera.

Rachel and all the wrong guys

Her family encouraged her to put her attitude to use by becoming an actress and so, when she was 7 years old, Mr. and Mrs. Bilson helped their daughter land her first role in the film, The Wrong Guys, with comedian Louie Anderson. Rachel continued to audition for roles during her early years at Notre Dame High School . Through the recommendation of a close friend, she received a part in the seven-episode miniseries, Human Target. The role was small, but it helped Bilson realize that acting was something she wanted to do full-time. Following graduation, she pursued this new passion and hired an agent, who helped get her foot in the door.

Rachel Bilson's TV Start

Rachel Bilson's first high-profile gig was on stage, in a production of Bye Bye Birdie. She figured prominently in the play and used the experience as a launching pad for two more theatrical productions: The Crucible and Once Upon a Mattress. She had landed a solid role on a fantasy series called It's True in 1998, but the show never took off because CBS couldn't find the financing to air it. Despite this letdown, Bilson continued to plug away and starred in a television commercial for Subway before finally coming into her own.

Rachel stars in The O.C.

Thanks to constant auditioning and a well-connected agent, Bilson reached new heights in 2003. She appeared in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter before landing the lead role in a short film called Unbroken.

Thanks to this exposure, Bilson was invited to attend an audition for FOX's potential new hit, The O.C. The show was aiming to target the same audience as previously successful shows like Beverly Hills , 90210 and Melrose Place . This was perfectly in line with Bilson's capabilities, whose youthful, vibrant personality and sexy look impressed the producers of The O.C. They cast her as Summer Roberts, best friend of Marissa Cooper (played by Mischa Barton) and spoiled beauty who personifies the "Valley Girl" stereotype.

Magazine appearances for Rachel

Since the show's smashing debut in the summer of 2003, Bilson has become a much-talked about new star and has been featured in such magazines as Zink, Stuff, CosmoGirl, and YM. Thanks to the popularity of The O.C., Bilson should be around for many more years and, even if the show fizzles, we think her talent and beauty can get her far on both the big and small screens.

In 2005, Brody gave Bilson a pit bull dog, Penny Lane , as a birthday gift, and the couple later adopted another dog, named Thurmen Murmen. In 2004, several sources reported that Brody and Bilson were engaged, although Bilson's publicist denied the report. In September of 2006, several media sources made unconfirmed claims that Bilson and Brody's relationship may soon end, citing Bilson's friendship with her Last Kiss co-star, Zach Braff, as the reason for the relationship's end. In an interview the same month, Bilson replied that she is "not commenting" to a question regarding her personal life. In November 2006, the two ended their relationship.

Bilson has volunteered with the Young storytellers program. She has been recognized by several media sources as being a "fashion junkie" and a "style icon". She has described herself as having a "vintage" sense of style, and noted Kate Moss and Diane Keaton as inspirations. Bilson enjoys watching television game shows, especially Jeopardy! and has stated that if she were not acting, she would be a pre-school teacher.

Bilson has turned down requests to appear semi-nude in magazines, specifying that she feels that her body "is sacred" and "not there for the whole world to see".