Rachel Bilson

Early life

Bilson was born in Los Angeles, and Danny Bilson, a writer, director, and producer. half-sisters, Hattie and Rosemary. Her mother is an Italian-American who was raised Catholic, and her father is Jewish; she has said that she grew up in a "Chrismukkah household".

Bilson's father comes from a show business family; he is the son of Mona (Weichman) (1933–2023) and producer-director Bruce Bilson (b. 1928). Her British great-grandfather, George Bilson (1902–1981), who was born into an Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant family in Leeds, England, worked for RKO Pictures after immigrating to the United States, heading the movie trailer department, and her great-grandmother, Hattie Bilson (1907–2004), was a screenwriter whose credits included Pal, Canine Detective (1950).

Career

Bilson attended Grossmont College, a community college in a suburb of San Diego, taking her father's advice to pursue a professional acting career. She then made several appearances in commercials, including advertisements for Subway restaurants, Raisin Bran, and Pepto-Bismol.

She made her TV acting debut in 2003, appearing in one episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Bilson was subsequently cast in The O.C., which debuted in August 2003. Her character, Summer Roberts, was initially intended to appear in only a few episodes but became a series regular after a successful run, as Summer's romance with Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) became a noted aspect of the series.

At the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, she collected three awards: "Choice Hottie Female", "Choice TV Actress (Drama)", and "Best Onscreen TV Chemistry" (jointly won with Adam Brody). In 2005, Maxim magazine named her sixth in their annual "Hot 100 List"; in 2006, the publication awarded her #14.

The UK edition of FHM Magazine named her 28th in the 2006 100 Sexiest Women in the World list, while the US edition ranked her 77th in 2005. Bilson was also named one of People magazine's "World's Most Beautiful People" in 2006. Before appearing in Maxim, Bilson had turned down requests to appear seminude in men's magazines, specifying that she feels that her body "is sacred" and "not there for the whole world to see".

Bilson's film debut was in The Last Kiss, a romantic comedy-drama also starring Zach Braff in 2006. She played a college student who seduces Braff's character. One review of the film noted that Bilson played the role with "surprising depth", although another critic described her role as "Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction as an airhead valley girl with a hot bod".

In late 2006, Bilson was cast in Doug Liman's thriller Jumper, as the replacement for actress Teresa Palmer. The film was released on February 14, 2008. She appeared in a two-episode arc on The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz's NBC comedy, Chuck, and in the film New York, I Love You. She appeared in the 100th episode of How I Met Your Mother ("Girls Versus Suits") as Ted Mosby's latest love interest and the Mother's roommate.

In September 2008, she started shooting the indie romantic film Waiting for Forever, directed by James Keach. In September 2009, Bilson appeared as a celebrity guest judge in the third episode of Project Runway (season 6). Bilson starred in the 2011 indie film L!fe Happens. In 2011, Bilson began starring in The CW series Hart of Dixie, executive produced by The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz. On May 7, 2015, The CW officially canceled the show after four seasons. In 2017 Bilson joined the cast of CMT's Nashville, which reunited her with her former The O.C. co-star Chris Carmack.

Bilson starred in the ABC drama series Take Two which premiered in June 2018; however, on November 21, 2018, ABC cancelled the series after one season.

From April 2021 to August 2023, Bilson and her former The O.C. co-star Melinda Clarke hosted a podcast titled Welcome to the OC, Bitches!. The podcast focuses on the hosts and guests re-watching and discussing episodes of The O.C.. Several notable guests have appeared on the podcast such as Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, Josh Schwartz, Jem, Bonnie Somerville and Elizabeth Gillies.

In May 2022, Bilson and longtime friend Olivia Allen launched another podcast called Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen. On each episode, Bilson and Allen interview one or more people from the entertainment industry in a casual, conversational format. The first guest on the show was Kristen Bell, and other notable guests have included Aubrey Plaza, Zooey Deschanel, Elisha Cuthbert, Mena Suvari, and Seth Meyers.

Fashion design

Bilson has been recognized by several media sources as being a "fashion junkie". She has described herself as having a "vintage" sense of style and has noted Kate Moss and Diane Keaton as inspirations.

Bilson approached DKNY Jeans in late 2007 with a view to design a clothing line with the fashion brand. Together they created Edie Rose. The collection was launched in September 2008. Bilson's idea was to keep fashionable items accessible to young women by keeping the prices of each piece under $100. An advertising image was released in July 2008 which featured Bilson modelling her Edie Rose collection.

Bilson stated that she wanted to keep her fashion line "as separate as possible from Rachel Bilson, the actress. I'm hoping people will appreciate it for the clothes, not the person behind them." Much of her fashion collection was lost when her home was burglarized in May 2009. Bilson's fashion and sense of style made her the unwitting target of the Bling Ring, who burglarized her home on several occasions.

In 2011, Bilson collaborated with her personal stylist, Nicole Chavez, and shoe industry leader Steve Madden, to launch the footwear destination ShoeMint, an "online customized shoe shopping experience".

In 2013, Bilson designed a shirt for Invisible Children.

Personal life

Bilson and Adam Brody, her co-star on The O.C., dated from 2003 to 2006.

In 2007, Bilson began a relationship with actor Hayden Christensen, with whom she had co-starred in the film Jumper. By January 2008, the pair had been seen and photographed together around Los Angeles for almost a year, without confirming a relationship. In February 2009, Bilson appeared publicly with what seemed to be an engagement ring, though no official announcement was made. In August 2010, Bilson's representative confirmed there had been an engagement that had since been called off, giving no other details. The two reconciled three months later, and had a daughter in October 2014. Bilson and Christensen separated in September 2017.

In November 2014, when their daughter was only a few days old, Bilson and Christensen announced that they were supporters of the No Kids Policy, a celebrity coalition which seeks to prevent children of celebrities from being photographed without parental consent.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music video

References

References

1. (February 15, 2008). "Bilson's back". Irish Independent.
2. "Rachel Bilson: Biography". [[People (magazine).
3. Elsworth, Catherine. (February 17, 2008). "Rachel Bilson: The OC star lands on her feet". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
4. Silverman, Stephen M.. (February 22, 2007). "Rachel Bilson: My Mom Gave Me Advice". People.
5. "Rachel Bilson: Biography".
6. . (October 6, 2011). ["Rachel Bilson's Cozy Chicken Sputnik"](http://www.dashrecipes.com/blogs/dashboard/2011/10/06-Sunday-Dinner-Rachel-Bilson.html). *Dashrecipes.com*.
7. (December 11, 2020). "Rachel Bilson Down for OC Reunion, Looks Back at Infamous Chrismukkah Episodes (Exclusive)".
8. Bried, Erin. (May 2006). "Just beachy". Self.
9. O'Toole, Lesley. (October 31, 2006). "Rachel Bilson: She's the one". The Independent.
10. (August 15, 2005). "Teen Choice awards". TheAge.com.
11. (May 10, 2005). "Maxim Magazine Unveils Their "Hot 100" for 2005; Eva Longoria Crowned #1 This Year". Maxim.
12. (May 15, 2005). "Maxim Magazine Unveils Their 'Hot 100' for 2006". Maxim.
13. (2006). "FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006". MyKensington.co.uk.
14. (2005). "FHM 100 Sexiest Women 2005". FreeJose.com.
15. (2006). "2006's World's Most Beautiful People".
16. (October 10, 2006). "Rachel Bilson Believes Her Body Is Sacred & Only for Boyfriend To See". StarPulse.com.
17. Wang, Li. (September 15, 2006). "Goofy Braff gets serious for mature take on modern relationships". PennLive.com.
18. Verniere, James. (September 15, 2006). "Boys don't cry". [[The Boston Herald]].
19. Tyler, Josh. (October 16, 2006). "Rachel Bilson Is A Jumper". Cinema Blend.
20. (September 13, 2007). "Rachel Bilson ('The O.C.') to guest-star as potential love interest in multi-episode arc on NBC's new action-comedy series 'Chuck'". NBC.
21. Joyce Eng. (October 2, 2009). "Rachel Bilson Appearing on How I Met Your Mother — As the Mother?". TVGuide.
22. Andreeva, Nellie. (May 7, 2015). "'Hart Of Dixie' Officially Cancelled After 4 Seasons". Deadline.
23. (March 9, 2017). "Rachel Bilson and Empire's Kaitlin Doubleday Are Heading to Nashville".
24. Andreeva, Nellie. (November 16, 2017). "'Take Two' Procedural From 'Castle' Creator Starring Eddie Cibrian & Rachel Bilson Gets Straight-To-Series ABC Order". Deadline.
25. Gelman, Vlada. (June 22, 2018). "ABC's Take Two Premiere: Grade It!". TVLine.
26. Goldberg, Lesley. (November 21, 2018). "'Take Two' Canceled at ABC as Rachel Bilson Drama Eyes New Life on Streaming". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
27. (2025-08-24). "Welcome to the OC, Bitch!".
28. Gauk-Roger, Topher. (October 26, 2021). "Rachel Bilson Talks 'Emotional' Reunion with The O.C. Costar Adam Brody: He's 'Super Dear to Me'".
29. Del Rosario, Alexandra. (2021-03-25). "'The O.C.'s Rachel Bilson & Melinda Clarke To Revisit Teen Drama For 'Welcome To The OC, Bitches!' Podcast At Kast Media".
30. Baila, Morgan. "Two Of The OC's Best Characters Are Reuniting For "Welcome To The OC, Bitches"".
31. (2021-12-15). "'We were pinned as the bitches': the OC and 90210 stars reclaiming their voices".
32. Samantha Highfill. "The O.C. stars Mischa Barton and Rachel Bilson get emotional rewatching Marissa's death". Entertainment Weekly.
33. (2022-05-31). "Rachel Bilson Launches New Podcast "Broad Ideas" – The Rogers Revue".
34. (2023-09-25). "Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson on Apple Podcasts".
35. Pearson, Ryan. (September 20, 2006). "Rachel Bilson, fashion junkie". PE.com.
36. Fischer, Paul. (August 22, 2006). "Interview: Rachel Bilson "The Last Kiss"". Dark Horizons.
37. (October 2006). "Rachel Bilson The Last Kiss Q&A". FutureMovies.
38. (March 13, 2008). "Rachel Bilson to design Edie Rose collection for DKNY Jeans". Sassybella.com.
39. (May 22, 2009). "Rachel Bilson Launches Edie Rose For DKNY Jeans". Yahoo!.
40. (March 13, 2008). "Rachel Bilson models her Edie Rose line for DKNY Jeans". Sassybella.com.
41. [http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/fashionwork/2008/10/youngstars Rachel Bilson Edie Rose Interview]. Accessed April 10, 2009.
42. Chiu, Alexis. "Rachel Bilson's L.A. Home Is Burglarized".
43. (March 8, 2010). "Exclusive: Inside Hollywood's 'Bling Ring'".
44. Sales, Nancy Jo. (February 3, 2010). "Nancy Jo Sales on the Bling Ring".
45. (November 24, 2011). "Rachel Bilson launches a super-stylish shoe range".
46. (November 26, 2013). "Behind The Design // Rachel Bilson + Ben Lovett design T-Shirts for". Invisible Children.
47. Margaret, Mary. (December 5, 2006). "Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody split". People.
48. Bunim, Juliana. (January 10, 2008). "Rachel Bilson Says No to Nudity". People.
49. Sacre, Claire. (February 26, 2009). "Rachel Bilson Reveals Her Engagement Ring". [[Elle (magazine).
50. (August 10, 2010). "Hayden Christensen & Rachel Bilson Call Off Engagement". People.
51. (November 6, 2014). "Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen welcome daughter Briar Rose". [[CBS]]/[[Associated Press]].
52. Webber, Stephanie. (November 6, 2014). "Rachel Bilson Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby Girl Briar Rose With Hayden Christensen". [[Us Weekly]].
53. . (September 19, 2017). ["Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen Split"](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/rachel-bilson-and-hayden-christensen-split-w504307/). *[[Us Weekly]]*.
54. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 18, 2019). "Rachel Bilson To Star In Fox's Tom Kapinos Pilot 'Lovestruck' In Return To Network".