Biography
Jessica Claire Biel was born on March 3, 1982 in Ely, Minnesota
and spent her childhood in Boulder, Colorado. She grew up with her
parents Jon and Kim Biel and her younger brother Justin.
Jessica
went to Fairview High School in Boulder where she was a good student.
Jessica started doing plays at the age of nine with roles in The
Sound of Music, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, and Anything Goes. Prior
to landing her role on 7th heaven, Jessica spent the last two years
modeling. Jessica was first discovered while competing at the
International Modeling and Talent Association's Los Angeles Convention,
in 1994. Her participation in the conference led to
her being awarded a scholarship to the Diane Hardin's Young Actors
Space, an acting society in Los Angeles.
While attending Young Actor's
Space, Jessica was discovered by her current manager Jeff Morrone
at Innovative Artists. What followed were several modeling covers
including Sassy Magazine in '96, Teen and Moxie Girl in 1998, and
the huge honor from People Magazine in '99 when they named her one
of the worlds 50 most beautiful people.
Her on-screen career began
in 1996 where she played Mary Camden, the oldest daughter of a minister
couple in 7th Heaven. She also appeared in the feature film "It's
A Digital World," and has numerous television commercials to
her credit. In 1997 Jessica starred with Peter Fonda in Ulee’s
Gold, her role as the rebellious teen Casey made critics take notice
of the young actress.
In
1998 Jessica played opposite Jonathan Taylor Thomas in I'll Be Home
For Christmas. In 2000 Jessica, 17 years old, tried to get out of
her contract with Spelling and the WB by posing semi-nude in March
Edition of Gear Magazine. It was not only the pictures but also the
article that shocked some people that identified Jess with Mary Camden.
Anyway, Aaron Spelling didn’t let her out of contract. Now,
Jessica regrets Gear (“That was such a big mistake. I made
a horrible, horrible choice. Those were not the people to work with
and not the right thing for myself.") and is still appearing
in some episodes of 7th Heaven while attending full-time classes
at Tufts University in Massachusetts.
In her spare time she is involved with charities such as Best Friends
Animal Sanctuary and PETA. Her hobbies include ballet, soccer, running,
yoga and hiking with her dog "East". Jessica currently
resides in Los Angeles.
Jessica owes her good looks her German, French, English and Native
American (Choctaw) heritage. |
Jessica Biel
Photo by PR Photos
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