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Leighton Marissa Claire Meester (pronounced "Lay-ton") (born April 9, 1986 in Marco Island, Florida) is an American actress, best known for her role as Blair Waldorf in the book-based TV show Gossip Girl. Her first acting role on a television program was on NBC's legal drama Law & Order in 1999. Other series in which Meester has appeared include CSI: Miami, 8 Simple Rules, 24, 7th Heaven, and House. Born on Apr. 9, 1986 in Marco Island, FL, Leighton Meester discovered at an early age that she wanted to be an actress after appearing in a local production of “The Wizard of Oz.” She took a detour, however, through modeling, signing with Wilhelmina Models and booking gigs with such notables Ralph Lauren and then-still photographer Sophia Coppola. Meester soon made the transition to television, making several guest starring roles in popular series. She was seen in episodes of “Boston Public” (Fox, 2000-04), “Family Affair” (WB, 2002-03) and “Law & Order” (NBC, 1990- ). After making her feature film debut in the straight-to-video family mystery, “The Veritas Project: Hangman’s Curse” (2003), Meester returned to the comfortable confines of television with a regular role on the short-lived WB series, “Tarzan” (2003-04), playing Nicki, sister to Jane (Sarah Wayne Callies), famed love interest to the young man (Travis Fimmel) raised by apes in the jungles of Africa. Meester became interested in acting when she appeared in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. When she was 11, she moved with her family to New York City and soon after began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Webber and working with then-photographer Sofia Coppola. Other roles include a role as Savannah Bennett on Surface. She has guest starred as Debbie Pendleton on Season 4 of the FOX drama 24, as Ali in episode 3 and 4 of Season 3 of the FOX drama House, as Carrie Bishop on Season 1 of the UPN drama Veronica Mars, and Chandler's new girlfriend Kendall in Season 8 of the WB drama 7th Heaven, as well as the role of Justine Chapin in Season 1 of the HBO comedy Entourage. Meester made her film debut in the feature Hangman's Curse, based on the best-selling novel by Frank Peretti. Once “Tarzan” came and went, Meester returned to making guest spots, appearing on episodes of “Crossing Jordan” (NBC, 2001-07), “Entourage” (HBO, 2004- ) and “8 Simple Rules” (ABC, 2002-05). A four-episode arc as the American girlfriend of the son of terrorists (Jonathan Ahdout) on “24” (Fox, 2001- ) was followed by another regular series role – that of Savannah on the short-lived sci-fi series, “Surface” (NBC, 2005-06). She recently starred in the independent comic-thriller Flourish with House co-stars Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer. In 2006, she wrapped the female lead role in the comedy/horror film Drive-Thru. She has also recorded a song for the soundtrack of Drive-Thru. In the spring of 2006, she played a part in the ensemble comedy/drama entitled The Beautiful Ordinary. More guest starring roles followed on “Veronica Mars” (CW, 2004-07), “House” (Fox, 2005- ) and “CSI: Miami” (CBS, 2002- ) before she returned a recurring role on “Shark” (CBS, 2006- ), a legal drama about a former attorney-to-the-stars (James Woods) who suddenly changes career paths and becomes a crusading prosecutor. Meester once again had a chance to shine with another regular role on “Gossip Girl” (CW, 2007- ), a soapy teen drama about the machinations of moneyed adolescent students at a prestigious New York private school. Currently, Meester stars as Blair Waldorf in The CW series Gossip Girl, from Josh Schwartz, creator of The O.C. and based on the book series about the lives of New York's two privileged Upper East Side high school students. Meester has stated in interviews that she identifies with Blair "on every level, in one way or another." She has also recently guest starred on CSI: Miami and has a recurring role on James Woods' court drama Shark. When not on the set, Meester, who attended Beverly Hills High School, pursues her talent for music and creative writing. She currently resides in New York. She has worked with actress Kristen Bell on two TV series. In Gossip Girl, Bell provides the voice of Gossip Girl and Leighton plays Blair Waldorf, and in Veronica Mars, which stars Bell, Leighton appeared briefly as gossip queen Carrie Bishop. She will reprise her role of Justine Chapin on Entourage in season five. |
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