Zooey Deschanel | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Highest Rated: 91% Almost Famous (2000)

Lowest Rated: 7% The New Guy (2002)

Birthday: Jan 17, 1980

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA

American actor Zooey Deschanel gained popularity after playing charmingly quirky characters in various films and TV shows, most notably "Elf" (2003), "Yes Man" (2008), "500 Days of Summer" (2009), and "New Girl" (Fox, 2011-18).. Deschanel was born and raised in Los Angeles and grew up in a show business family. Her father is the esteemed Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, while her mother is an actor who was best known for playing Eileen Hayward on David Lynch's eerie mystery series "Twin Peaks" (ABC/Showtime, 1990-91, 2017). Given her close proximity to the film industry, Deschanel counted the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal and Kate Hudson, both of whom also had parents in the film industry, as amongst her wide circle of friends growing up. She and her sister Emily, who would later go on to become a well-known actor in her own right, also had to travel a lot growing up, due to the nature of their father's work as a cinematographer, which Zooey found to be difficult. Still, having been immersed in the exciting world of moviemaking since childhood, it was only natural that Deschanel, whose first name was inspired by one of the title characters in J.D. Salinger's novella Franny & Zooey, would want to become an actress. She nabbed her first film role in her late teens in the 1999 Lawrence Kasdan-directed comedy-drama "Mumford" (1999), and from there went on to nab supporting roles in "Almost Famous" (2000), "The Good Girl" (2002), and "The New Guy" (2002). Then in 2003 Deschanel wowed critics with her first leading performance in the David Gordon Green-directed drama "All the Real Girls" (2003). Her role in the independently-produced "All the Real Girls" proved to be a boon to Deschanel's fledgling acting career, with more substantial roles to follow in the years ahead. 2003 was also the year Deschanel starred opposite Will Ferrell in the Christmas comedy "Elf," which was a hit with both audiences and critics. Throughout the remainders of the 2000s, Deschanel continued racking up a number of acclaimed film roles in movies like "The Good Life" (2006), "Yes Man," and "Gigantic" (2008). Then in 2009 she landed her breakout role as the title character and love interest of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character in the romantic comedy-drama "500 Days of Summer." The film received widespread praise from critics, with Deschanel in particular being singled out for her riveting performance as an emotionally distant girlfriend who's cynical about the existence of true love. After the success of "500 Days of Summer," Deschanel gravitated towards network television with a starring role on the sitcom "New Girl." In the show, Deschanel played an offbeat teacher who shares an apartment with three men. The series ran for 146 episodes and 7 seasons on Fox, earning Deschanel a Primetime Emmy nomination and 3 Golden Globe nominations in the process. As the series ended its run, Deschanel co-starred in the animated musical comedy "Trolls" (2017). Throughout her acting career, Deschanel also moonlighted as a singer. She teamed up with the musician M. Ward in 2006 and together they formed the music duo She & Him. She & Him released 6 studio albums, including 2016's Christmas Party. Furthermore, in addition to her acting Deschanel also founded the female-centered lifestyle website HelloGiggles.com in 2011. The website gained a devoted following and in 2015 Deschanel sold the site to the Time, Inc. corporation.

Highest rated movies

91% 92% Almost Famous Watchlist 90% 65% Dreamin' Wild Watchlist 86% 79% Elf Watchlist 85% 84% (500) Days of Summer Watchlist 85% 70% Bridge to Terabithia Watchlist 82% 59% The Good Girl Watchlist 79% 70% Surf's Up Watchlist 77% 75% The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Watchlist 76% 67% Trolls Watchlist 71% 77% All the Real Girls Watchlist

Photos

View All Zooey Deschanel photos

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel Zooey Deschanel Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for THE LION KING Premiere, El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles, CA July 9, 2019. Photo By: Elizabeth Goodenough/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for FOX 2014 Programming Presentation Fanfront Arrivals, Amsterdam Avenue at 74th Street, New York, NY May 12, 2014. Photo By: Gregorio T. Binuya/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel, Mary Jo Deschanel at arrivals for The Critics'' Choice Television Awards, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA June 18, 2012. Photo By: Emiley Schweich/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for 2018 Baby2Baby Gala and Giving Tree Award Presented by Paul Mitchell, 3Labs, or 8461 Warner Drive LLC, Culver City, CA November 10, 2018. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for 2018 Baby2Baby Gala and Giving Tree Award Presented by Paul Mitchell, 3Labs, or 8461 Warner Drive LLC, Culver City, CA November 10, 2018. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for TROLLS Premiere, The Regency Village Theatre, Los Angeles, CA October 23, 2016. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for TROLLS Premiere, The Regency Village Theatre, Los Angeles, CA October 23, 2016. Photo By: Dee Cercone/Everett Collection Zooey Deschanel at arrivals for NEW GIRL 100th Episode Party, The W Westwood, Westwood, CA March 3, 2016. Photo By: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection View more photos

Filmography

Movies

Credit
26% 91% Harold and the Purple Crayon Terry (Character) $17.4M 2024
63% 92% Trolls Band Together Bridget (Voice) $103.0M 2023
90% 65% Dreamin' Wild Nancy (Character) $294.4K 2022
67% 100% The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show Unknown (Character) - 2019
76% 67% Trolls Bridget (Voice) $153.6M 2016
No Score Yet 25% The Driftless Area Stella (Character) - 2015
7% 29% Rock the Kasbah Ronnie (Character) $3.0M 2015
71% 51% Our Idiot Brother Natalie (Character) $24.8M 2011
27% 34% Your Highness Belladonna (Character) $21.6M 2011
85% 84% (500) Days of Summer Summer (Character) $32.4M 2009
35% 34% Gigantic Harriet (Character) $102.1K 2008
46% 66% Yes Man Allison (Character) $97.7M 2008
17% 24% The Happening Alma Moore (Character) $64.5M 2008
33% 52% The Good Life Frances (Character) - 2007
22% 46% Flakes Miss Pussy Katz (Character) $613 2007
44% 61% The Go-Getter Kate (Character) - 2007
77% 75% The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Dorothy Evans (Character) $3.9M 2007
79% 70% Surf's Up Lani Aliikai (Voice) - 2007
85% 70% Bridge to Terabithia Miss Edmunds (Character) $82.2M 2007
40% 43% Live Free or Die Cheryl (Character) $12.7K 2006
23% 52% Failure to Launch Kit (Character) $88.7M 2006
40% 61% Winter Passing Reese Holden (Character) $106.6K 2005
No Score Yet 56% Once Upon a Mattress Lady Larken (Character) - 2005
60% 65% The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Tricia McMillan ("Trillian") (Character) $51.0M 2005
35% 71% Eulogy Kate Collins (Character) $70.5K 2004
86% 79% Elf Jovie (Character) $177.1M 2003
71% 77% All the Real Girls Noel (Character) $548.7K 2003
82% 59% The Good Girl Cheryl (Character) $14.0M 2002
16% 31% Abandon Samantha (Character) $10.7M 2002
7% 54% The New Guy Nora (Character) $29.0M 2002
48% 54% Big Trouble Jenny Herk (Character) $7.3M 2002
68% 79% Manic Tracy (Character) $70.2K 2001
91% 92% Almost Famous Anita Miller (Character) $32.5M 2000
58% 65% Mumford Nessa Watkins (Character) $4.6M 1999

TV

Credit
83% 79% Physical Kelli (Character) 2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet What Am I Eating? Executive Producer,
Host
2023
No Score Yet No Score Yet StoryBots: Answer Time Cat Burglar (Guest Star) 2022
No Score Yet 28% The Drew Barrymore Show Guest 2020 2022
No Score Yet 100% Trixie Motel Guest 2022
No Score Yet No Score Yet Carpool Karaoke: The Series Guest,
Self
2020 2022
No Score Yet 62% The Kelly Clarkson Show Guest 2021
No Score Yet 11% The Celebrity Dating Game Host 2021
No Score Yet 41% Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest 2008-2009 2012-2013 2015-2016 2018 2021
No Score Yet No Score Yet Celebrity IOU Self 2020
78% No Score Yet Gone Mental With Lior Unknown (Character) 2020
95% 85% New Girl Jess Day (Character),
Director
2011-2018
No Score Yet 19% The Late Late Show With James Corden Guest 2016 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Talk Guest 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Real Time With Bill Maher Guest 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Ellen DeGeneres Show Guest 2011-2014 2016
95% 88% Brooklyn Nine-Nine Jessica Day (Guest Star) 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet Harry Guest 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet Conan Guest 2011 2013-2014 2016
No Score Yet No Score Yet Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Guest 2015
No Score Yet 61% Late Night With Seth Meyers Guest 2014-2015
No Score Yet 57% Saturday Night Live Unknown (Guest Star),
Guest
2012 2014
No Score Yet 100% The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Guest 2013-2014
No Score Yet 90% American Dad! French Maid/Candy Striper Stripper (Guest Voice) 2005 2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet Who Do You Think You Are? Unknown (Guest Star) 2013
85% 76% The Simpsons Mary Spuckler (Guest Voice) 2008 2012-2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet Rachael Ray Guest 2012
No Score Yet No Score Yet Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Guest 2011-2012
No Score Yet 58% So You Think You Can Dance Guest 2012
100% No Score Yet Funny or Die Presents Mary Todd Lincoln (Character) 2010
90% 83% Bones Margaret Whitesell (Guest Star) 2009
No Score Yet 80% Tin Man Unknown (Character) 2007
70% 80% Weeds Kat (Guest Star) 2006-2007
No Score Yet No Score Yet Cracking Up Unknown (Guest Star) 2004
95% 95% Frasier Jen (Guest Star) 2002
No Score Yet No Score Yet Veronica's Closet Unknown (Guest Star) 1998
Zooey Deschanel | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
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