Rachel Bilson: Snapshot
- Name
- Rachel Bilson
- Birth Date
- August 25, 1981
- Birth Place
- Los Angeles, Calif.
The L.A. darling grew up in a showbiz family, where her film director father encouraged her to act. After appearing in episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 8 Simple Rules, Bilson landed her star-making role on The OC. Although the TV guilty pleasure ended after four seasons, it spawned a three-year romance with costar Adam Brody, a close friendship with Mischa Barton, and a blossoming film career for Bilson, who appeared with Zach Braff in The Last Kiss and opposite real-life love Hayden Christensen in the thriller Jumper.
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Rachel Bilson: Five Fun Facts
- The first concert Rachel Bilson ever attended was Paula Abdul's. She tells In Style that she
"sang along to every song like a dork." - Rachel Bilson's two-bedroom Hollywood Hills condo has been passed on through her family for years: "My grandmother lived here, then my aunt and now me. It's such a comfy feeling," she tells Teen People in 2004.
- She has a wicked sweet tooth. "When I wake up in the morning," Rachel Bilson tells
In Style, "I have to eat something sweet – Oreos!" - Rachel Bilson still shops at Sav-On and Rite-Aid for Lip Smackers, Maybelline mascara and inexpensive Wet 'n Wild white eyeliner.
- Her first kiss, Rachel Bilson tells PEOPLE, happened "in sixth grade. My boyfriend of two weeks kissed me behind the library at school. It was really slobbery and gross."
Rachel Bilson: Biography 
- 1988
The Right Girl
Bilson is born into a Hollywood family: father Danny is a writer-director-producer, grandfather Bruce is a director and her great-grandmother was a screenwriter. At 7, her father directs her in The Wrong Guys with comedians Louis Anderson and Richard Lewis.
- 1999
A Lucky Break
During a brief stint at San Diego's Grossmont College, Bilson begins auditioning for commercials and pilots. After a failed audition for an Everwood role, the aspiring actress is recommended to series creator Josh Schwartz who is casting for The OC, a drama revolving around the lives of four teens living in California's well-heeled Newport Beach enclave.
- 2003
Newport Beach, 92660
The OC premieres, drawing comparisons to Beverly Hills, 90210 for its portrayal of Southern California's elite. Bilson plays Summer, a spoiled teen who lives the high life with best friend Marissa (Mischa Barton) and schoolmates Seth (Adam Brody) and Ryan (Ben McKenzie). The petite brunette tells Cosmo that Summer was originally a bit part intended for a tall, blonde, but she parlays it into a starring role.
Photo Credits
Top Left: Fox
BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): WB/Everett
